Need to redo a hope chest that has a veneer top that needs replacement
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My father passed and I was given his hope chest. The inside is perfect but the outside needs help. The top is veneer and it needs to be replaced. The rest of chest I could probably sand down and restain. I do not have any idea how to fix the top or where to take it. Please help.
11 answers
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Check on line the correct way to remove the rest of the veneer, than sand it down. Sometimes the wood is good enough under it to just refinish. We had a house fire and my Great Aunts hope chest sat with wet material on it. I refused to throw it out, It was really bad, and took it to a re finisher mainly because I had so many pieces. It is now one of my heirloom treasures again. If the top can not be stained or painted. You could upholster it. Seeing it was your Dad's don't give up on it.
![Karen Tanner-Dickerson]()
Karen Tanner-Dickerson
on Feb 16, 2015
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How about recovering the top with a layer of foam then cover that with some nice fabric.Alot less work,and a lot easier to do
![Funnygirl]()
Funnygirl
on Feb 17, 2015
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I think I would remove the veneer too and sand then refinish. My mom had one but my sister has it. Thanks for reminding me that I need to look into that!
![Kim]()
Kim
on Feb 17, 2015
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When I come across furniture that has veneer, I just remove it. Sand it nicely and then just stain or seal it as your taste. Veneer is a pain-and it is just better to remove it.
![Cra836385]()
Cra836385
on Feb 17, 2015
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You could also cover the whole thing with fabric. You could cover and use upholstery nails, do the same inside with some kind of satin and then make a tufted top. I have a large trunk that also needs redoing and I'm thinking along these lines. I've never done this but there are a lot of videos out there to show you how. I have also refinished a trunk and made a removable cushion for the top to sit on and put it in my bedroom.
![Janet chambers]()
Janet chambers
on Feb 17, 2015
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Go to the Pinterest web site. Type in "veneer" and you will find alllll kinds of info on veneer and how to handle it! Good Luck!
![Judy L. Hays]()
Judy L. Hays
on Feb 17, 2015
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I have one from 1954. I covered the entire chest in fabric and cushioned the top. I then turned the inside into a filing cabinet. It sits at the foot of my bed.
![Sheron Rossow]()
Sheron Rossow
on Feb 17, 2015
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I refinished this chest and it turned out beautifully! For some reason I can't upload the finished pics, but I'll keep trying
![Dawn Keller]()
Dawn Keller
on Feb 17, 2015
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You Can purchase veneer sheets for the top. You can also get it with a design. First determine what kind of wood it is then try Rockwell wood finishing products catalog. I know you want to preserve this chest. Be careful sanding. I wish you had posted pictures. I think you van remove veneer with heat like an iron or heat gun as long as you keep it moving so you don't burn it. Please post pictures when finished.
![Carol]()
Carol
on Feb 17, 2015
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You can buy veneer to replace. You could even do it in a pretty pattern, like a puzzle! How beautiful would that be! Just choose a few different colors of veneer, or by staining the veneer. Make it look like marquetry or inlayed!
![Cynthia]()
Cynthia
on Feb 17, 2015
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Hi Patty- I think the veneer question has been answered here- its usually easier just to remove it and then finish what is underneath it. Just a word of caution- you didn't share a picture so I am not sure who the manufacturer is, but if it is a mid-century Lane hope chest, you need to obtain a new locking mechanism. The ones they used to use are self-locking, and several children have been locked and suffocated inside in the past few years. Lane offers a free replacement for this lock.
![Country Design Home]()
Country Design Home
on Feb 18, 2015
Karen Tanner-Dickerson
on Feb 16, 2015
Funnygirl
on Feb 17, 2015
Kim
on Feb 17, 2015
Cra836385
on Feb 17, 2015
Janet chambers
on Feb 17, 2015
Judy L. Hays
on Feb 17, 2015
Sheron Rossow
on Feb 17, 2015
Dawn Keller
on Feb 17, 2015
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