You are here:

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Amber Oak cabinet color change

Advertisement

Expert: - 10/16/2009


Question

Oak Cabinets
Hi,  We just purchased a new home with the old amber oak cabinet color in the kitchen.  I have been looking for a way to at least darken the color, and maybe make it a little browner like a medium walnut.  I have talked with a few professionals in our city.  The techniques being offered to me include a faux finish to look like wood, color toning to bring the cabinets to a mid-tone brown, gel stain over them to make them a dark brown (is this like a faux finish?), or a "touchless spray system giving...the ability to provide a high end look...to dramatically change the color of the cabinets."  I don't think I want a faux finish - it just looks like fake painted wood to me.  What about any of the other mentioned techniques?  Do they sound like they would work?  I'm leaning toward the color toning.  How do I find an expert other than asking for samples and references?  Any other advice?

Answer
Hi Dee,
"touchless spray system giving...the ability to provide a high end look...to dramatically change the color of the cabinets." ...this is toning as well....and I'm not a big fan of people who market this way....there's no such thing as "touchless" when it comes to cabinet finishing....especially because they will have to be prepped (washed with solvents to remove cooking grease, grime, oils, scuff sanded to provide grip for the new finish, etc.), in order for you to hope to have a durable long lasting finish. The typical modern cabinet finish will last 20+ years, with little to no maintenance....what's their warranty? The real problem is the inherent golden/yellow tones of the typical Oak cabinets, as yours exhibits also from the picture....just adding a brown over that will not cut that yellowish hue, and the toning process can only change a color or hue so much, before it will start to look bad, or even obscure the wood to such a degree, that it looks like you were trying to cover up something...(which you were). Staining over an existing finish is a big no-no, I wouldn't even consider that as Gel stains are polyurethen based and not acceptable for use over a lacquer or catalyzed finish, and staining or toning needs to be clear coated, anyway, and clear coating (and toning) cabinets needs to be done with spraying, something that you will not find many people willing to do in your home.... Asking for samples and references is the ONLY way I would suggest you even consider this...as well as having them do a sample on your cabinets and asking a LOT of questions, including exactly which products they will be using, how they will apply them,how long the process will take, and to what degree will they need to disassemble your kitchen, etc. The drawer fronts likely come off with a few screws, and one could be refinished to match the existing finish the easiest if you aren't happy with the result, so you could have them do a sample on a drawer front. Another problem will be the cost....you could likely get the kitchen refaced with factory finished doors and drawer fronts, (in the exact color you desire) for around the same money, and you would be getting a finish that was state of the art, and KCMA rated....typically a catalyzed clear that will be almost bulletproof, and give you that 20-25 year lifespan...refacing is also less intrusive, faster, and offered by many companies....even Sears. Anybody who claims they can transform your cabinets over an existing finish, should be met with some serious skepticism, as this is NOT a recommended technique, especially on cabinets made in the last 25 years or so, because they will be finished with a catalyzed finish.....stains, toners, and clear coats....and these finishes are very hard and durable, and will cause problems with adhesion and early failure and degredation, if coated over with additional finishing products. Especially if they are not prepped properly, and finished by a very knowledgeable and experienced finisher......I would want to see a job that was a few years old, and meet with a few satisfied customers right off the bat, BEFORE I even considered getting involved with someone who makes these claims. Please let me know how it turns out, and I'll be here should you need more opinion and/or guidance- regards- Greg

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.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.