How to give this wood veneer some TLC?

[MerylSqueak]

We have bought a house with a 60s wood laminate kitchen. I kind of love it and anyway don't have the money to replace it now. It's in reasonable condition but I would like to give it a bit of care to restore it but I'm not sure how. I've googled it and watched some videos but most ideas are for more radical repairs than this needs. They all seem to offer different advice anyway.

I think it is possible it will need sanding but I am reluctant to do it because I don't want to damage the veneer. I don't really know if a wax will be enough.

Essentially I have never done this before and would like some tips. I'd be very grateful for your ideas. Pics attached

You've said veneer and laminate. They are two different things...

Veneer is a layer of real wood on top of something cheaper/more sustainable like chipwood/ply.

Laminate is completely fake, essentially a picture of wood on top of a similar core to above with a wear layer on top of that.

If its veneer then potentially can be loved up a bit, but be careful with sanding depending on thickness of layer. You say you think wax might not be enough but you'd be amazed at the difference just a rub of vegetable oil can make.

I don't have any personal experience but was considering a wood floor so read lots of tips on here. Many MNers swear by Osmo oil, especially for kitchen worktops. Worth looking into?

If its laminate... not much to be done I'm afraid.

Hopefully this gives you a bump til someone more experienced than me comes along.

Thanks. I meant to say veneer both times. Sorry.

I'll look into the oil. Thanks. I'm wondering if sugar soap would be a good thing to wash it with first.

Sugar soap might make it peel but white spirit is good for de-gunking.

Obviously test on an inconspicuous area, first.

Ok. Thanks. I'd never have thought of the that.

Don't use sugar soap, that's for paintwork. You could give it a light sand with fine sandpaper on a block, this will keep the sanding even so you don't go deeper in parts. Veneer is thin so you can't use a machine.

Rub it over with white spirit on a cloth to remove the dust and dirt and seal it with Osmo. You gets lots of varieties but i like clear matt. If you buy it from a merchant rather than online, they'll advise you.

Thanks. I shall see if they stock it locally. We're pretty remote!

Lindeed oil and real turpentine, mixed together 50/50 will clean it, rub it on gently with some very fine wire wool. you can do that several times increasing the percntage of linseed oil each time. Then rub it up with a duster. Works like a charm.

linseed...not lindeed

Thank you. I shall try both ways on the cupboard we can't really see

I have recently spruced up some grubby vintage veneer by giving it a rub with a slightly damp magic sponge rather than sanding.

I thought you shouldn't use oil on veneer as it can affect the glue.

I really don't know.

In one video I saw they used wax. It seemed a reasonable idea to me.

If you can get away without sanding, that's preferable. See how you go withcleaning it with fine steel wool and white spirit. Keep us updated. Avoid using water

Thanks for the no water tip

I will update!

I think it is water you avoid on veneer rather than oil... I have never had a problem with veneer lifting with oil on it but I guess I may be wrong.

In fact you avoid water in general on wood if you can, lifts the grain and the piece will need sanding if you are not careful.

Thank you. I haven't been able to make a start yet but hopefully this weekend I will.

I have finally got around to this. I have just rubbed them down with white spirit and I ahev to say the diffrence is extraordinary. They almost need nothing else done to them. Once it is dry, I am going to test out a bit of Danish oil on a bit you can't really see, just because I already have it. I am going to the DIY store now to see what they have. Thanks for your help. I am thrilled already!

Would love to see photos

This is just with one rub with white spirit. It hasn't got all the staining off but it has made the areas where it was looking whitened much better.

One is with the camera flash on and the other without.

This is the bit that looks the worst after the white spirit.