How to refinish Oak veneer after acetone spill?

[stefank]

Hi. I accidentally spilled acetone on my oak veneer dining table. It left some cloudy spots. Is there anything I can do about this? Thanks

 

[EricL]

Hello @stefank 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your oak veneer dining table.

Spilling acetone on an oak veneer table can be a bit tricky, especially since acetone acts fast and can damage the finish or even the veneer layer itself if it's thin. The cloudy spots you’re seeing are likely from the acetone reacting with or dissolving part of the finish (usually polyurethane, lacquer, or varnish). Here are a few gentle steps you can try before considering refinishing.

First, try rubbing with oil if the cloudiness is mild. Sometimes cloudy spots are just partially dried or disturbed finish layers. Apply a small amount of mineral oil or olive oil to a soft cloth and gently rub the cloudy area in circular motions. Let it sit for about an hour, then wipe it off. If the cloudiness fades, it was likely just surface haze.

If oil doesn’t help, move on to a mild abrasive polish. Normally, people will use Feast Watson Surface Restore, but you could also try Feast Watson Timber Floor Wax or Cabot's Furniture Oil. While they’re marketed for floors or cabinetry, they work well for spot-blending and reviving finishes dulled or disturbed by acetone. Apply a small amount to a soft, lint-free cloth and rub gently in the direction of the grain. Let it sit briefly, then buff it with a dry cloth. These products help restore the sheen and reduce the cloudy effect without being too harsh, important when dealing with thin veneer.

If you’d prefer a lighter, more penetrating treatment, Cabot’s Danish Oil is another good option. It comes in neutral tones and can help disguise light surface damage by soaking in just enough to enhance the wood without changing its look dramatically. As always, test on an inconspicuous spot first to check the result.

Once you’ve reduced the clouding, consider finishing the job with Gilly Stephenson's Cabinet Makers Wax to even out the shine and protect the surface. It's another gentle, nourishing product for timber surfaces.

If none of these methods improve the damage, especially if the white marks turn grey or the wood feels rough, the acetone may have penetrated into the veneer. In that case, you may need to lightly sand the area using 400–600 grit paper, feather the edges, and reapply a matching finish like a clear oil, lacquer, or polyurethane. Please note that matching the original finish will not be possible. This type of repair is meant to seal the surface again in order for the timber veneer surface to be protected.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[stefank]

Thank you so much for this detailed response. It helps a lot and saves me a lot of headaches. I tried the oil, and the cloudiness faded quite a bit. There is only very little discolouring left. However, I noticed that the nail polish has destroyed the finish in some places (the veneer layer seems to be fine). Would you still recommend applying a Restore-A-Finish (or similar) and then the wax to restore the damaged finish? Or something else? Stefan

[JacobZ]

Hi @stefank,

I'd suggest using this Feast Watson Surface Restore.

It will help to restore the finish in those areas that the nail polish has damaged without the need for sanding or stripping.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob