Oak veneer doors

[ash91]

Hi, have got oak veneer doors through out, unfortunately they were never finished when hung a couple of years ago so are looking a bit grubby. What's the best way to clean them off? Sugar soap?

Once they are cleaned off what sort of oil or finish do people recommend?

Thank you very much.

 

[RigidRaider]

DO NOT use water on veneer doors, the veneeer could come off or crack and bubble.

Ensure the doors fit and close properly then take them off and give them a thorough sanding to get back to clean veneer. If they are tight anywhere, plane to allow for the thickness of the varnish.

De-dust by brushing with a clean hand brush. Paint with Dulux Trade polyurethane satin varnish, available only from Dulux Decorator Centres or good paint specialists. This is very forgiving of bad technique as runs will disappear almost to nothing. Do not use gloss and certainly do not use Ronseal as the reflective finish will show all the brush strokes and dribbles and anyway satin finishes are "in" at the moment, in case you didn't know!

Allow to dry. Rub down gently with fine sandppaper, de-dust and re-varnish.

Do the same for a third time and finish with a very very light going-over with the finest sandpaper, just to remove any dust motes. Re-hang and marvel at the smooth, waxy-looking and professional finish you have achieved. Three layers of varnish are needed to seal and stabilise the doors.