Quick question on particle board

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Quick question on particle board

Posted: 1/17/2015 10:48:59 AM EDT

Long story short, SO wants to sand, strip, and restain some dressers. She thought thy were wood but they are particle board with a laminate on it.

Can you still sand and strip and restain that or will it look so shitty it isn't worth the effort?

Google says you can and it also says you can't so I wanted to consult the experts before I waste my Saturday.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Posted: 1/17/2015 11:31:47 AM EDT

[#1]

You're going to go through a lot of work, and find out that she doesn't like the result.

Maybe one of these products and coat over that laminate:

http://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/transformations/

I used their countertop product for a bathroom sink, and it is holding up very well. The critical step is to sand/scuff the crap out of the laminate so the coating adheres completely.

Posted: 1/17/2015 11:38:42 AM EDT

[#2]

Don't bother

Posted: 1/17/2015 11:39:32 AM EDT

[#3]

It all depends on if it has a wooden veneer and how thick it is. I refinished a coffee table that I bought at good will that had an 1/8th" wood veneer top on it. You just have to be careful sanding it.

Posted: 1/17/2015 11:44:36 AM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:
It all depends on if it has a wooden veneer and how thick it is. I refinished a coffee table that I bought at good will that had an 1/8th" wood veneer top on it. You just have to be careful sanding it.

View Quote

Exactly; if it's wood veneer, there's hope. Most particle board furniture is covered with photo etched paper, it's junk and ought to be treated like junk by leaving it at the store.

Same with cheap flooring; goes in quick, didn't cost much, looks okay if no one looks too close, and it's junk if it gets a scratch. Leave it at the store.

Posted: 1/17/2015 11:52:49 AM EDT

[#5]

If its truly a wood veneer it is very thin. Be very careful sanding it as you'll sand through it easily.

If its paper or vinyl/plastic - ick. I redid some cabinet doors once that were badly painted by a previous owner. I ended up using a paint stripper / heat gun to strip the paint and melt off the film. Then youre stuck with refinishing particle board.

Posted: 1/17/2015 11:54:53 AM EDT

[#6]

Lots of work and it won't look good

Posted: 1/17/2015 3:25:41 PM EDT

[#7]

I think we are just going to get some wood ones at an estate sale or craigslist and match them to what we have.

Thanks for the replies. Got way more to do today than waste my time on that.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Quick question on particle board

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