Can you paint over veneer ?

Karen
by Karen

This is a shadow box that I want to showcase my husband's sport rings. The box is perfect to do this other than the cherry's on the front. How can I cover it up?

  15 answers
  • William William on Aug 29, 2021

    That is such a cool woodgrain veneer it would e a shame to paint it unless you paint the whole box. You can strip the door, match a stain and seal with polyurethane. You could try a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol and dab a cherry and see if the paint comes off. Or try some nail polish remover. If the cherries do come off some of the finish will also. All you have to do is scuff the surface with a green Scotch Brite pad or a kitchen scrubby, wipe off the dust and seal with polyurethane. Another option would be to decoupage a "manly" sport paper just on the panel to cover the cherries.

    • MK McDonald MK McDonald on Aug 31, 2021

      It looks slightly similar to a pipe box that I have that is a century old. It has 2 smoking pipes cross crosses mg each other engrave on the door. The door has a little skeleton key.

      My suggestion is to add overlays that match your husband’s sport ie.golf clubs/balls/hole flags. Or an overlay of your choice.

      It looks like it needs a good cleaning and maybe a nice warm stain. If done (engraved type overlays) and well thought out, the resulting VoilĂ ! could look very classy and unique. Good luck.

  • Libbie B Libbie B on Aug 29, 2021

    You can spray paint veneer. Buy a good quality spray paint and primer combo-I like Rustoleum. Matte black would look very modern.

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Aug 30, 2021

    Hi! I would just refinish the door with the cherries, if you don't like them. You could also decoupage a picture that means something to him. Good luck!

  • Lindsay Aratari Lindsay Aratari on Aug 30, 2021

    Maybe sand down the door and restain it

  • GrandmasHouseDIY GrandmasHouseDIY on Aug 30, 2021

    You could sand it off and restain it or, maybe consider a mod podge in the theme of what you're going to be storing there?

  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Aug 30, 2021

    Yes lightly send the whole cabinet then paint it your color use fine sand paper

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Aug 30, 2021

    Yes, you may need to degloss. Then clean with TSP and prime & paint.

  • Robyn Garner Robyn Garner on Aug 30, 2021

    From my research, I don't believe the cherries were original to the curio cabinet (it's not a shadowbox lol!). I believe it's a mid-century modern piece and the knob isn't original (imho). It really doesn't have any "collectors' value" so either painting or refinishing would be your choice. I think for your use, painting at least the inside a light color will give more contrast to show off the rings.


    If you wish to keep the exterior wood, try to see if the cherries are able to come off using perhaps fine steel wool after applying some olive oil to the cherries. This may get them off without a huge refinish of the door. Otherwise, it's not that big a deal - I'd use CitriStrip and then very fine sandpaper so I didn't go through the veneer.

  • We have a veneer top table and even though it's not recommended, we did sand it very lightly and restain it. So you might give that a try. If it doesn't work, then you could paint it.

  • Annie Annie on Aug 31, 2021

    Clean, give a light sand and paint away. may take a few coats to cover. A primer/sealer may be a good idea

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Aug 31, 2021

    of course ! I would just clean it off and paint with chalk paint and then wax it to protect all

  • Lauren of Mom Home Guide Lauren of Mom Home Guide on Aug 31, 2021

    I think you should be able to paint if with chalk paint. I have used chalky finish paint by DecoArt on several projects, with good results.

  • You can sand the door which will remove the painted decor then restain it or give a light sanding then prime and paint.

  • Yes, you can use spray paint for that. But sanding it down and restaining it will also work.

  • I would recommend painting it, it'll be a lot easier than sanding and staining it. I would use a good primer before you start the painting job.