Asked on Nov 18, 2018

How do I repair the top of my dressing table?

Kathy Harris
by Kathy Harris

I have a beautiful dressin table with some of the wood on the top that has broken off. I’d like to refinish the table but don’t know what to do with the top. I have attached pictures

  10 answers
  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Nov 18, 2018

    Hello there,

    You will need to Use a Paint Scraper and a hammer and chisel it off. Rub down the surface to make it smooth and finish as desired. (Paint etc)

  • Vicky Chamberlain Vicky Chamberlain on Nov 18, 2018

    Could you peel all that off and top with a 1/4' plywood with a similiar grain? If so, maybe consider cutting it a fraction smaller that existing to create a tri-level edge.

  • C Crow C Crow on Nov 18, 2018

    Did a similar one years ago by removing all veneer from top, sanding the remaining wood a bit, adding a layer of white shelf paper, covered the shelf paper with some of my vintage hankies so none of the paper showed, then had a piece of glass cut to fit the vanity top and protect the hankies. It was really quite pretty and I am sorry I no longer have that piece or even a photo of it. It was also easy and inexpensive.

  • Lisa S. Lisa S. on Nov 19, 2018

    One alternative is to have a piece of quartz or granite countertop cut and installed on the top.

  • Roseann8628 Roseann8628 on Nov 19, 2018

    To expand upon Lisa S.'s suggestion: you could use quartz, granite or marble tiles (usually available in 12"x12" at Home Depot, Lowe's...) or, better yet, contact a local granite/marble fabricator. They always have a "bone yard" of scrap pieces left over from projects. Since you only need a small piece they would probably offer it to you at great price. Best of luck!

  • Kathy Harris Kathy Harris on Nov 19, 2018

    Thank you so much!! This will be a holiday project for me!

  • Gvernon7 Gvernon7 on Nov 19, 2018

    The easy way tile or paint to repair stripe sand vanish time consuming hard work but worth it

  • Swan Road Designs Swan Road Designs on Nov 19, 2018

    What has happened is that the veneer (top layer) and base layer have separated and broken away.


    You can use a scraper to remove both layers and apply another layer of veneer, but you will have to find a source for new veneer. There are plenty of sites on the Internet that should fill your need.


    Applying new veneer is something that takes patience and precision. However, when you're finished, your piece should look as good as new after it's refinished.

  • Lagree Wyndham Lagree Wyndham on Nov 20, 2018

    Once refinished an antique sever that belonged to Great Grandmother, pulled off damaged veneer and tripped to entire piece. Installed new veneer and stained entire piece to match and sealed with Polyurethane. That was 35 years ago, today its sits in my dining room and still looks great.