Expert: Eileen Cronk - 4/25/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello,

I 'm on a mission to find  a non-yellowing top coat to apply over my freshly painted (Acrylic Latex Semi-Gloss) white kitchen cabinets. Does such a product exist? If not, how do I keep my cabinets from yellowing?
Thanking you in advance - Ruth

ANSWER: Hi Ruth
Nice to hear from you.
Acrylic Latex semi gloss should not on its own turn yellow.
But if you want something non yellowing to apply over that, use a water based poly. Minwax makes one but there are others.
Hope this helps
Regards
Eileen


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

QUESTION: Thank you, Eileen, for your advice. The hardware store in the small town where I live does not carry water-based polyurethane. They only have the poly for varnish. As for Minwax, I have never heard of it, and I doubt that I would find that product here.
It's the bottom part of the kitchen cabinet that sits above the stove that tends to turn yellowish.
Again, thank you! - Ruth

Answer
Hi Again Ruth
I live in a small rural area in Ontario with a small village close by.
While our village has a small hardware, it does not carry the huge lines of things big areas carry so I have to be content with the products they carry.
Minwax products are their only line of stains and sealers so that just happens to be all I've mostly ever used.
I have to say that the area you want to seal is a problem area in most kitchens. If this area is painted it turns yellow over time.
It sounds like you will have to wait until you go elsewhere to get a water based poly.
Many different companies make it. Minwax brand is only one.
You could also look at ordering online.
http://www.minwax.com/products/water_based_clear_protective_finishes/
Good Luck
Regards
Eileen