I have kitchen cupboards that are an oak veneer that I would like to lighten and then lightly varnish. They have been sanded smooth, but I am worried that if I use a wood bleach this might lift the glue that sticks the veneer to the cupboards. Does this sound likely and if so, can you suggest an alternative? Also, at the moment some areas are lighter than others (i.e. around the handles). The cupboards are about 40 years old and well made.
Answer:
You'll have a problem homogeniously staining them lighter than they are now because the veneer is normally too thin and you end up with a blotchy door. Paint, on the other hand, works very well.
