Can you buy a sheet of that stuff that they put on furniture to make it look like it's made of wood?

Question

I don't know the name of it

I was hoping it'd be something I could apply pretty easily

Example piece of furniture with it:

http://www.ikea.com/PIAimages/57432_PE163016_S3.jpg

Answer 1

I think the word your looking for is Skin to put over the top of something to make it look like wood. Home Depot and Lowe's has what you're looking for.

Answer 2

you can use wood veneer, not for an amateur wood worker

Answer 3

I believe you are thinking of laminate, or Formica.

You apply a layer of Laminate Adhesive to both surfaces to be glued.

After the adhesive has dried slightly to the touch, place a bunch of thin wood or metal strips on it, then you put the glued laminate on top and slip out the strips starting in the middle.  Work your way to the edge, then roll it in with a weighted roller.  Then the edges get trimmed with a laminate trimming bit in a router.

PS.  If the glued pieces touch, and they're not aligned, you'll be cursing to get them separated.

Answer 4

You can purchase wood veneer (actual wood, very thin), laminate with a wood pattern (or a variety of others), and install them yourself.  Some of the furniture companies, like Ikea, are actually using a melamine print, which is actually a baked on finish, or a urethane, or vinyl product which comes on a large roll and is glued to the core material.  

Laminates can be bought almost anywhere counter-tops are made, or sold these days.  I prefer WilsonArt laminates myself, but I've used all the different brands at one point or another.

http://wilsonart.com/

There are a couple of ways to attach laminate to a core... cold press, or contact cement.  For a typical DIY application, you'll want contact cement.  The usual method is to cut the laminate a bit larger all the way around, than you need on the core, then trim it to size once its adhered.  If you use contact cement, spray both surfaces... the core, and the back of the laminate.  Wait til you can touch the glue.. and while it still feels tacky, but does not come off on your finger.  Then you can stick the laminate on the core.  Use a roller, or block, to press the laminate into the core.  (If you stick the laminate too soon, i.e., while the glue is too wet, it will not make a permanent bond, and will peel back off.  Wait too long, til the glue is too dry, and it won't stick at all)  Sticking laminate on a core can be tricky....because once it touches.. it tends to stay put... so you have to make sure you put it exactly where you want it, the first time.  Those of us who've done it a lot have learned how to curl the laminate back, and hold it, etc.  You can also use wax paper to help place the laminate, or even thin dowel rods.

Its typical to use a laminate router bit, and sometimes a file to finish off the edge of the laminate.  Filing can take some practice, hehehe.

You can find a variety of veneer species at many places, and I'd recommend Rockler.com.  You can get veneer with a pressure sensitive backing (peel n stick), or without, and glue it in place.  Again, you can use a variety of glues, I'd recommend either contact cement, or Titebond II.  The advantage of veneer is that it is real wood, and you can even use it on shaped surfaces, if you use a vacuum press.  Check out this link for some veneer supplies - http://www.rockler.com/search_results.cf...

By the way... there is one other option... solid surface laminate.  If you think really really thin 'corian' countertop material, you'll get the picture.  WilsonArt has a line of it.  This has all the advantages of a solid surface material, but installs with the ease of a laminate.

If you need, feel free to email me with details on your project, and I may be able to offer more specific advice.  I've done a lot of veneer, laminates, and solid woodworking over the years, both professionally, and for myself, as a hobby.

Have Fun

Answer 5

You can get contact paper that looks like wood and it has an easy peel and stick back, or you can get some thin wood veneer and put it on. You can ask the guys at the wood supply shop how to install it.  

Answer 6

Yes you can. They sell it at Home Depot, OSH, and true value. I just bought some last week. I also for got the name of it.