How to restore faded veneer due to sunlight?


Hi A'goners,

I'm looking for some helpful advice...

I've had these hifi speakers for some years now and sadly I've managed to spoil them by allowing them to sit in direct sunlight so the UV rays have seriously faded the wood veneer (one one side of each speaker).

The veneer wood has a varnish coating so that applying a cherry wood (Danish oil or similar) restorer doesn't make any difference. I could lightly sand the surface with a fine grade sandpaper beforehand but I think this could end up ruining them even more!

Here's a couple of old photos of my speakers before they were faded:-

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/2261/homehifisetup.jpg
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/4951/homehifisetup2.jpg

Thanks in advance,

Ross
rosscopico
Well after looking at the pics I can see why you wouldn't want to move them. Those are some huge speakers!
Johnk, could you tell us what type of spray (better yet, a brand) to look for? Is this safe for most any finish, including paints and plastics? Thanks.
Thanks to everyone for your comments and advice.

Although I'd like to restore the colour, it does sound like a fairly risky process (bleaching the wood etc.) and I think there's a good chance I could really mess them up if I'm not extremely careful!

I had previously considered swapping the speakers over as I realised the sun would eventually fade the opposite sides of the cabinet so they were the same (albeit lighter) shade again.

On the sides where they haven't been exposed to the sun they haven't really shown any signs of fading, so it was definitely the UV rays from the sun which did this.

I didn't no that cherry wood is particularly susceptible to this and I don't think they'd look as nice in back so I think now I'll just swap them over but otherwise leave them as they are.

Anyway I appreciate all the help, it's enabled me to decide what I should do next. I have no plans to sell them as I still think they sound fantastic. There's not many Dunlavy speaker owners here in the UK so I feel privileged to own a pair and hopefully they will last me a lifetime :)
UV is tough on everything.

I'd get some UV Proof 'thin film' coverings for the widows.

Some of that automotive window tint may work. Just make sure it is UV blocking.
There's a product called Howard's Restore-a-finish, or something like that. A lot of DIY guys have used it on water marks/rings on veneered speakers with pretty good results.

Not sure how it handles fading though. Not sure if it's in the UK either. I'd try posting on Audio Karma. Lots of guys restore vintage gear over there. I'm sure someone has taken care of faded cabinets before.