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Question
I'm hoping you can help me. We have beautiful cherry cabinets that are about nine years old. In the last two years, a "chalking" grey look has appeared on the front of the doors on some of the cabinets. I do not know what to do to remove it. I have tried lemon oil, and furniture cleaner, but nothing seems to help. These are well made and expensive cabinets and short of contacting the manufacturer, I'm at a loss as to how to fix this problem. Hoping you can help.
Sincerely,
Sheila Baker
Hi Sheila, I think I would contact the manufacturer...and ask them about it. Are the affected cabinets near high moisture areas? The sink, over the stove, or dishwasher..etc? Is the finish still clear? If you have used a furniture cleaner on them, you could try buffing them out with some compound. Labor intensive, but may bring back the clarity and sheen to them. 3M makes a liquid compound called Finesse It II (39003 16oz squeeze bottle) that is great stuff. They also have a less aggressive one called One Step Cleaner Wax (39006). These are rubbing compounds, so they need to be physically rubbed onto the finish and buffed off with a cloth...it requires considerable "elbow grease" to do properly...and is quite a workout if you're doing it right.You'd make a "pad" of several folded layers of "polo" or t-shirt material, you want to end up with a "pad" about 3"x2" with maybe 6 layers. Then you shake the compound and use about a half dollar sized puddle of it, and using your pad, vigorously rub, in straight, overlapping strokes, until it starts to dry and 'grab'. then take a clean rag and buff the area clean. You would proceed over the whole surface this way until done, but you'll know right away if it will do anything. It's a fairly small investment, I would start with the "one Step" and see if it helps- Regards- post back if need be- Greg
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| Comment | Thanks for your help. This was an expensive addition to our old fieldstone home and the cabinets were "top shelf" so I'm so disappointed. they are so lovely, and no the one's affected are not near the oven and/or dishwasher. Go figure. I like to clean my own house (which I get constant grief about) and I just can't seem to figure this one out. I think I will contact the manufacturer and the installed. These cabinets are "gorgeous" and high end like fine furniture, but this really is unacceptable. I'll keep you posted. We live in an old post & beam home with fieldstone wall (interior too in some places) and these cabinets just looked great. Thanks so much for your prompt response. I'm willing to try anything. Sheila Baker | ||
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Answers by Expert:
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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