07-16-2009, 05:33 PM
Hey Code,
I just saw this post and am sure you've probably already addressed the issue. But, thought I'd offer one more option.
By chance, I've rebuilt a handful of cathedral cabinets recently that were smashed to pieces in shipping and their veneer fronts sent to me in dozens of pieces in a zip lock baggie. Some pieces were missing, some just damaged too bad to line up smoothly.
After patching the missing areas, and through trial and error, I found the following to fill, blend and mask the lines between veneer pieces very well:
A) Knock down the top finish of the area around the lines to be fixed with 0000 steel wool
B) Put a large dollop of premium quality, stainable wood filler on cardboard or other disposable surface
C) Take an appropriate color of spray lacquer toner and spray into wood filler while mixing it aggressively and until you get the right color. Keep it moving so mixes thoroughly.
D) Quickly do the following -- 1) press mixture into lines/gaps until filled and leave a ridge remaning on top, 2) using a clean, course-bristled brush (firm toothbrush is fine) -- brush back and forth the length of the line to remove excess, smooth the line and lightly spread mixture so that it blends but brush bristles maintain the integrity of the surrouding grain
E) Once well dried, hit it with 0000 wool again lightly following the grain lines to smooth and then give a light spray of the appropriate clear lacquer to match. If needed, give a shot of lacquer toner to blend the entire area, then 0000 and clear.
Seems a little nutty maybe, but it's worked really well for me on dark and light tone cabinets.
Joe
I just saw this post and am sure you've probably already addressed the issue. But, thought I'd offer one more option.
By chance, I've rebuilt a handful of cathedral cabinets recently that were smashed to pieces in shipping and their veneer fronts sent to me in dozens of pieces in a zip lock baggie. Some pieces were missing, some just damaged too bad to line up smoothly.
After patching the missing areas, and through trial and error, I found the following to fill, blend and mask the lines between veneer pieces very well:
A) Knock down the top finish of the area around the lines to be fixed with 0000 steel wool
B) Put a large dollop of premium quality, stainable wood filler on cardboard or other disposable surface
C) Take an appropriate color of spray lacquer toner and spray into wood filler while mixing it aggressively and until you get the right color. Keep it moving so mixes thoroughly.
D) Quickly do the following -- 1) press mixture into lines/gaps until filled and leave a ridge remaning on top, 2) using a clean, course-bristled brush (firm toothbrush is fine) -- brush back and forth the length of the line to remove excess, smooth the line and lightly spread mixture so that it blends but brush bristles maintain the integrity of the surrouding grain
E) Once well dried, hit it with 0000 wool again lightly following the grain lines to smooth and then give a light spray of the appropriate clear lacquer to match. If needed, give a shot of lacquer toner to blend the entire area, then 0000 and clear.
Seems a little nutty maybe, but it's worked really well for me on dark and light tone cabinets.
Joe
"Ignorance is bliss...'til you have to fix a radio..."