You can paint it. Scuff the veneer with fine steel wool, then clean with denatured alcohol. You will be ready to prime and paint then.

I agree with the painting idea for a different idea you could cover it with solid plywood for a top you could stain and varnish to match.

what about painting the base and keeping the top original?

Hello are you open to painting the dining room set or do you want to restain it. Polyshades as a product you might want to consider for a restaining project— for painting I would recommend chalk paint

Please consider popping by this bloggers website for her wonderful painted furniture rehabs. She details useful repair products, techniques and has a nice result. Many of her furniture items are from the thrift store or furniture pieces donated to her. She also has tips for removing furniture odors and how to treat the interior drawers. She obtains a lot of her hardware from Hobby lobby. Usually you can find a discount coupon for hobby lobby.

Here’s a dresser that she recently completed will give you an idea of how to take challenged furniture pieces that need a bit of repair before painting. As well as including a link below of all of her projects and a gallery fashion.

Best wishes with your furniture rehab.

https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/diy-gallery/

We sanded and restained our veneer top. It was easy to do and looks fabulous.

you could chalk paint it or milk paint it - stain it and paint the top which you say is veneer

https://www.hometalk.com/1290470/dining-table-update?expand_all_questions=1#!

https://www.hometalk.com/44330190/90s-oak-dining-set-gets-a-make-over?expand_all_questions=1#!

5 Ways to Update Your Dining Room Table

https://www.unexpectedelegance.com/5-ways-to-update-your-dining-room-table/

If it were my table I would sand it down and restain it. Use a pre-stain then the color of your choice. General Finishes makes a great stain and top coat

If you wet the top the veneer will come off and there will be wood under to re finish nice

Hi Jane,

Maybe paint the frame something like a grey colour that is all the trend at the moment..

Enjoy!

Hi Jane, You can always do two toned table. Paint the top a different color and refinish the areas that are solid wood. that is what I would do. I have a dining table that I want to do the exact same thing with. The veneer on the top isn't all that great but the rest of the table is amazing and solid. Also, if the veneer is peeling in some areas, check out my post on how to remove the veneer easier:

https://www.hometalk.com/39748381/how-to-remove-wood-veneer-easier

If you want more details, check out my blogpost:

https://karupp-did.net/fetor-to-fetching/

Good luck! sounds like a great project!