How To Avoid Ruining Mid-Century Teak Furniture (G-Plan, Nathan etc)

In this video Simon demonstrates what can happen when you use a powered orbital sander on a veneered surface. For this example Simon uses a mid-century teak coffee table by G-Plan, but other mid-century danish-design brands such as Nathan also use teak veneers.

00:00 Introduction
00:50 Description of G-Plan table construction
01:20 Explanation of veneers
03:45 Sanding through the veneer with an orbital sander
04:00 Inspecting the damage
04:44 How veneer is stitched together
05:08 How veneer is applied
05:40 How a French Polisher would repair the damage
06:19 Inspecting the damage with denatured alcohol
06:42 How to check for veneer on furniture

We spent years and years as antique furniture restorers searching for a beeswax furniture polish that could both protect the finish and highlight the quality of our restoration work. In the end we developed our own polish by focusing not on reduced costs or potential margins, but on sourcing the highest quality natural ingredients from responsibly managed sources.

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[TheNaught]

Thank you for showing the stitched veneer! On my project, I didn't realize that I was working on veneer, and then saw the zigzag pattern lightly showing through for about a 1-inch by 1/2-inch patch. Your video finally helped me identify the zigzag pattern as the veneer glue. The solid edging, and mismatch pattern between top and underside were the other clues I missed. Really appreciate your demo!

[CogitoBcn]

I loved your comment about "all dust for the theatre", subscribed!

[YourDroidDoes]

Way to break it down! Thank you for "peeling" back the layers to explain.

[kerrymcilwaine]

Watched your videos and restored an Ercol sideboard, plate rack, coffee table and dining table that belonged to my parents, they are as beautiful as the day they left the shop in 1958, just have 6 dining chairs to do but I’ll wait until Spring!

[mrstandfast]

I'm glad that you emphasised there's nothing wrong with veneer. That advert always iritates me as the intimation is that veneer is sub standard. Certainly some of the particle board stuff is awful, but ply is a great product. There's a time and place for an orbital sander, but people reach for them too soon and too often. Graded sheets of paper and a cork block would sand down the top of that small table in less than 5 minutes. I really enjoy your videos, can we have another on using pigments to match grain and colour please. ( In your own good time obviously! )

[swannonline]

Nice one Simon, another great video :)

[frankkrank]

On a Gilboy's TY marathon - Simon I think I may have 'Veneereal Disease'. PS the product shots on your website are stunning!

[raysmith]

Loved the video, think you should consider ear protection, I have Ekornes Ulferts furniture and it is Rosewood veered chipboard, no solid wood anywhere considering the price I should have paid as they were shop floor demo they looked like real wood. I have a side table that I made at school over 45 years ago and it is our oldest piece of furniture made of solid oak and plywood. I will strip it down and put a nice wax oil finish instead of the Ronseal varnish I used. I wish my careers advisor had advised me to look at French Polishing.

[karlmueller]

I recently acquired a Brazilian (Gritsch) teak office credenza that's structurally sound overall but has some deep gouges in the top surface. It's clearly a veneered piece but I'm wondering if perhaps the top is solid? In any case, the gouges/scratches would need to be filled and then carefully hand-sanded down - correct? Or does one re-veneer in this case?

Thanks for posting your video - I was wondering about exactly the problem you described/demonstrated.

[louisewatson]

I just bought two Plantation Timbers Teak folding armchairs. Some of the wood is just unfinished (due to age) and some of it has finish on it.
It is pretty intricate in terms of the number of members and I think it would be very difficult to scrape every surface. Any suggestions about how to go about this? Dip?
I don't want to ruin the raw wood, either.

[drumsnbass]

How do you fix lifted veneer on a Skovby table where the leaf goes in? Thanks!

[alyssablakemore]

We picked up a G-plan piece a second hand shop in England a few years ago. It had been painted with three different coats of different colored paint. Didn't know what type of furniture it was and wish we'd seen this video before attempting to refinish! Chemical stripped and sanded, but sanded through the veneer in one spot on the top. What would be a next best step to try and disguise the chipboard beneath? Iron-on patch?

[nickyhumphray]

Hi. Thanks for sharing this. I have recently purchased a nest of three tables, they look like solid wood. They are G Plan. On the underside of the table, I can't see a different looking wood. The edge of the tables are bullnosed edge. Are there any other tell tale sign's that these tables could have a veneer top? I am new to upcyling furniture! Thanks, Nicky

[franklincaraharris]

Ahhhh yes! I had no idea that the table I inherited was veneer and I sanded it (ugh) I have a few spots where the chip board is coming through—but I’m ok with it as it’s on the edges… but now what?
I wanted to lighten it or change the color from the reddish tones to a warmer brown or even lighten it.
Have any suggestions?? I’m such a novice — but love my extendable mid-century teak table - can I restore it somehow ??

[CraigsOverijse]

Discovered this years ago sanding a chest of drawers my mother gave me that she had when she married in the 50s

[midcenturyflipper]

I love mid century style! I just uploaded a new video where I Refinish o cool retro coffee table!!

[Mel-jupf]

Don't sand by hand as advised here. Don't sand at all. You'll permanently damage the look of the veneer. It'll look red and gray and blotchy. It's .6mm thick and full of glue. Strip with dychloromethane if you can get it using proper mask and filters, then stain and apply finish.

[Lee-dqlw]

That was a bit hard to watch... but it's a hard to fix

[Mainbusfail]

If you do not know how to properly use a sander, choose the right grit and type of media, and even more importantly, which type of sander to use on veneer, then yes, you will destroy the restoration.

[lbg]

The legs and frame aren't solid teak - it's solid pericopsis elata (I think) - colloqiually known as afrormosia. G Plan rare used actual teak. Much like plenty of other British designs from the period. Rarely was actual teak used.