Expert: Eileen Cronk - 4/18/2008

Question
WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF RE DOING OUR KITCHEN.  MY FIRST PROJECT IS TO REFINISH THE KITCHEN CABINETS. THEY APPEAR TO BE A MAPLE VENEER PLYWOOD, FINISHED WITH A LIGHT COLORED STAIN AND A  CLEAR FINISH. WE HAVE TRIED TO SAND THE FINISH OFF ON THE INSIDE OF ONE DOOR. UNFORTUNATELY, THE VENEER IS SO THIN THAT  I DON'T THINK I WILL BE ABLE TO REMOVE THE FINISH WITHOUT DAMAGING SOME OF THE VENEER.
IN ADDITION TO THE CABINETS I HAVE THE FRONT SIDE OF THE BOTTOM CABINETS THAT FORM A BAR,WHICH HAS THE VENEER ON IT  AND IS VERY VISIBLE WHEN YOU FIRST GO IN THE KITCHEN, SO I REALLY WANT IT TO LOOK GOOD.

ANOTHER THING I HAVE TO DEAL WITH IS THAT THE EDGES OF THE DOORS HAVE BEEN PAINTED WITH A YELLOWISH COLOR. I BELIEVE IT WAS DONE TO HIDE THE PLYWOOD EDGE. THE DOORS ARE FLAT PANELS WITH ROUNDED EDGES.
I HAVE TRIED USING A DEGLOSSER AND THEN PUTTING ON REGULAR STAIN, BUT IT DID NOT CHANGE THE COLOR. IT APPEARED TO JUST SIT ON TOP OF THE WOOD AND NOT PENETRATE.
I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT USING GEL STAIN BUT I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT IT. I WANT TO SLIGHTLY DARKEN THE CABINETS WITHOUT LOSING THE GRAIN, AND I AM AFRAID THE GEL WILL HIDE IT.
I AM HOPING THAT YOU CAN COME UP WITH A METHOD THAT I CAN USE.

Answer
Hi Ann
Nice to hear from you.
First off, throw out the sandpaper. Yes you will damage the veneer and sanding is just not necessary.
You must use a stripper to remove a finish if you ever hope to have a good stain job.
This edging you describe will be a vinyl material which will not take stain. It will need painting to change the color.
Really not a huge job if take your time and mask the area off from the wood.
Ann if you need stripping info please get back to me. I am going off line now but will be back tomorrow.
Kindest Regards
Eileen