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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Painted Wood v. Stained Wood v. Pickled Stain v. Thermofoil

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Expert: - 1/30/2009


Question
Hi Greg,

I'm redoing my kitchen at my 1960s beach cottage. I'm there about 2-3 months out of the year - the rest of the time the temperature can vary from 30 degrees in the winter to the humid 80s in the summer. Salt air of course. I'm looking at white painted maple cabinets from Home Depot's Thomasville line, so I expect moderate quality. I have a limited budget and low maintenance is key. I'm upgrading to plywood construction for stability. Please tell me what type of finish would hold up best? I've heard mixed things about paint v. Thermofoil for this environment, and I'll also sacrifice white and go for stained wood if that will truly hold up best. Thanks for helping me sort this out.

Answer
Hi Jennifer, any of these would probably hold up fine. "Paint" as you describe it, isn't what they use on kitchen cabinets, they use Urethanes or catalyzed finishes, which are extremely tough and durable. Same is true for the clear finishes on kitchen cabinets. Coatings technology has come a long way, so I would go on what you like, and what fits into your budget,and not worry. Hope that helps- Greg

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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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