veneer faded from sun

[MarginWalker]

Hi,

Has anyone any idea how to fix the discolouration that occurs when areas of wood veneers are covered from sunlight? Would i need to use sandpaper or is there any way of applying a wax/oil to even it out?

Thanks
Phil

[YNWaN]

In short there isn't a great deal you can do about it short of going to a great deal of trouble and even then it may not be as you wish. The simplest solution is simply to swop them over and allow them to see the sun equally. Some have tried coloured wax polishes but it depends on how critical you are and how pronounced the bleaching. Sanding the finish back is a lot of work and the wood will still be bleached - there is very little veneer thickness to sand.

[walpurgis]

There can be two factors at work here or a combination. The lacquer/polish may have faded or more likely the wood has faded or both. If you're a canny polisher, you may, with the right coloured lacquer, be able to bring the surface back to something like original without stripping back and rubbing down. However, it would probably be quicker and easier to carefully rub the affected panel down with fine paper and steel wool, stain it carefully with a dye of the right tone (maybe slightly lighter) applied several times until the required result is achieved and then re-lacquer. It's best being familiar with this type of restoration though. It's the sort of thing I'd take on, but it's easy to mess it up! Practising on a spare board won't hurt either.

[struth]

Yup. Much depends on What finish is on it. It could be laquer or shellac and wax or oil. Could be some stain in there too and that could be water based or oil based.
If its not bothering you too much then either keep it covered or move it. If it does then either practice refinishing or get someone to do it...it can be quite time consuming and as geoff says it is easy to make matters worse.

[MarginWalker]

Thanks all. It is a pair of speakers that i have seen on ebay. The fading is in areas where the speakers have been mounted on wall brackets, so it appears it is an absence of sun that has casused the discoloration. Either way it sounds beyond my skill level to make it worthwhile...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rega-RS1-L...AAAOSw7FRWXDYG

Thanks
Phil

[struth]

Could be wrong but it looks like its on bottom where its been sitting on a stand. The light colour is i think the original one and the rest has darkened.. Some wood veneers and finishes can do that..cherry is one of the worst .

[MarginWalker]

Ahh, I see. So is the lighter area likely to darken with time too? The majority of the discoloration is on the bottom but there is a little square on the top too. I don't suppose it really matters and it may mean the price remains nice and low.

[MarginWalker]

Actually, I think you are right Grant. It does appear to be the bottom and a little bit up each side at the base.

[struth]

and under the grill where its stayed light. It may darken a bit once exposed; only time will tell.