Polish finishes are applied to wooden surfaces to protect them and enhance their beauty. Pre-polishing wooden products such as veneers increase their longevity and reduce manufacturing time. Engineered veneers require different types of polish finishing depending on their application, and whether it is a horizontal or vertical surface. Continuing on the topic, we discuss five varieties of polishes used on engineered veneers.

1. Acrylic Finish

Acrylic finishes are modern and steadily gaining popularity as one of the finest finishing solutions available. They are favoured for veneers which are used for interiors and horizontal surfaces. Acrylic finishes are applied using spray-on techniques and dry quickly. Engineered veneers with acrylic finishing require minimal upkeep. They can simply be cleaned with water and soap to maintain their glossy look.

2. Polyurethane Finish

Also known as “PU Finishes”, polyurethane finishes are extremely popular due to their water-resistant properties. They are versatile and can be used for both interior and exterior surfaces. The thickness of the polish applied influences the level of protection offered to the veneer surface. Polyurethane finishes can be customised according to colour and either be glossy to offer a bold look or matte to offer a timeless look.

3. UV Coatings

UV coatings are extremely durable and are resistant to chemicals and stains. They are easy to work with, giving faster production rates and inexpensive labour costs. Manufacturing UV coatings is sustainable as it is eco-friendly and produces minimal waste. They are easy to apply and dry quickly on application. Ultraviolet coatings have a very high shine finish when used in darker shades and are resistant to abrasion, guaranteeing high and long-lasting aesthetic appeal.

4. Water-Based Coatings

The use of water-based coatings on engineered wood veneers revolutionised the polishing industry. The highly innovative technology used is environmentally responsible and ensures that there are no VOCs. Water-based coatings are efficient, requiring comparatively less coating to cover a large area. They provide excellent adhesion and good resistance to heat and abrasion. They can be easily applied using conventional methods such as spray, brush, and roller.

Related: 4 Reasons to Buy Decowood’s Engineered Veneer

5. Melamine Finish

Melamine polishes are the most popular finishes used for veneers due to their ease of application, wide availability, and high aesthetic appeal. They are highly versatile and can be used for both interior and exterior applications. Additionally, they can be customised easily as they are available in both gloss and matte. Melamine surfaces are smooth and require minimal upkeep to maintain their beauty.

While there’s no doubt that polishing keeps your veneer furniture intact, understanding the difference between two of the most widely used polishes is also crucial – Melamine Polish & PU Polish. Let’s have a look at that aspect too.

How to Polish Veneer?

Wood polishing techniques are an essential part of keeping veneer furniture ageless. While veneer door polish produces a natural wooden appearance and is great when looking to restore veneer furniture, it is important to know how to do veneer polish on cabinets and wardrobes, among others to preserve the aesthetics for a long time. The first thing you need is the best furniture polish for wood veneer. You can then go on to follow the wood veneer polish procedure given below:

  • Smoothing: The foremost step in polishing veneer surfaces is smoothing them with sandpaper. This removes the topmost layer containing dirt. Rub the sandpaper gently in the direction of the veneer grains.
  • Conditioning: Use a wood conditioner to remove stains evenly from the surface. Apply it and leave it for a while. This is how to clean veneer cabinets in preparation for polishing.
  • Waxing: In case stains are still present, apply wood stain wax that will remove any remaining stains. Remember, if you apply it for a long time, it gives the veneer surface an accentuated look. Wipe off with a cloth in the end to ensure a clean look.
  • Spraying: Lastly, apply the veneer polish spray to get the appropriate tint and look. The veneer polishing procedure requires this step to be repeated several times with the right polish for your furniture. To make the most of the wood veneer polish procedure, you need to choose the right polish for your furniture from the options listed in this blog and others such as wooden polish shades, water-based polish for wood, and teak wood polish types.

By now you are thorough with nearly all the aspects related to Veneer polishes, however, arising questions is never off the cards. Here are some frequently asked questions that you need to know.

FAQs

When it comes to surface solutions, both veneers and laminates are extensively used, however, the differences are in their manufacturing, composition, and applications. A veneer is a thin wooden sheet sliced out of a wooden log, whereas laminate is a highly dense mixture of kraft paper and thermosetting resins compressed under high pressure.
Restoring veneer furniture is incomplete without polishing, which is why it is crucial to understand the time that it takes to complete the whole process. Melamine and PU polish are two of the most preferred veneer coating solutions, however, they have different settling times, which are as follows:
  • Melamine polish dries in 20 to 30 minutes, and requires a polish mixture to be applied within 8 hours.
  • If you apply PU furniture polish, it will take 30 to 120 minutes to dry.
Melamine polish on veneer gives furniture a matte finish that keeps the natural wooden look of furniture intact. Melamine polish requires less time to dry, leaves a stable thin layer that can withstand heat, and requires minimal upkeep.

Wrap Up

Engineered veneers have a wide variety of uses including furniture, decorative inlays, ceilings, and furniture. They are a preferred choice when you wish to replicate the same pattern over large surfaces as they are consistent in design. To learn more about available engineered veneer designs or discuss your requirement, reach out to our experts at 1800 833 0004 or email at: info@decowoodveneers.com. You can also fill out our enquiry form.