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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/toning down the red in cherry cabinets

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Expert: - 11/4/2008


Question
QUESTION: We purchased new cherry cabinets, and when delivered, they were way too red.  Is there a way to bring out the brown, rather than the red.

ANSWER: Hi Cindy, I'm afraid there is no way to "tone down" your Cherry cabinets after they've been finished. The only good news is that they will darken over time from UV light, as Cherry is one of the few woods that darkens instead of bleaching out. Unfortunately, most high tech cabinet finishes have UV inhibitors in the clear coat,(sun screens) that will slow that process down considerably...Cherry also has many varied colored grain types, and if not matched properly can be rather glaring....regards- Greg

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Greg,

Thanks for your response.  

When we selected the finish in the store, their cabinet sample is much browner.  They are much older.  Our salesman insures me our cabinets will eventually turn the color of the sample.

Someone has told me that a glaze could be applied to our cabinets, even after they have been stained.  Is that a true statement?

Thanks.

Answer
Hi Cindy, no, a glaze can't be added to your cabinets if they have a finish on them. If they were made by a cabinet shop, they will be using KCMA standard finishing materials, and that means a catalyzed or conversion Clear coat, probably. These are exceptionally hard and durable and meant to last 20-30 years in a kitchen environment. It is possible they could be properly prepped and then "toned" with a sprayed on Dye based toner, and then clear coated again, but this is not the realm of the novice finisher, and is a large job to have to attempt AFTER the final finish is done, and would likely cost as much or more than the original finishing process...these finishes are a multi step process and can have upwards of 15 individual steps....check out the site link below:
regards- Greg

http://www.kraftmaid.com/doorsfinishes/index.cfm?navigationid=33900

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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