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Expert: - 10/19/2009


Question
I am about to remodel my kitchen. Is it better to order cabinets from a company out of state (CA) in order to have an oil-based finish or will the cabinets made here in CA have a finish that holds up as well? I heard the products allowed here aren't the same. Is that just kitchen store marketing?

Answer
Hi Jill, the state of the art clear finishes are not oil based finishes, and haven't been for a long time. Todays cabinet finishes are catalyzed lacquers,conversion varnishes and catalyzed urethanes, and many of the newer technologies are catalyzed waterborne finishes.Catalyzed finishes are a two part system that utilize a cross linking technology to chemically alter the finish and cure to a much harder and more durable finish, one that you can expect 20+ years of relatively maintenance free life in the harsh environment of a kitchen. While I'm not too sure of the CA. regulations, I'm pretty sure that most of these finishes will pass the rigorous standards, as there is a KCMA standard (kitchen cabinet manufacturers association)for toughness, low VOC, and durability. Not sure where you're getting your information, but all of the major manufacturers are using these low emissions, environmentally safer finish technologies,but it may be tough to establish exactly which products they use, as the tough, furniture grade finishes are the hallmark of many of these companies, and many have upwards of 15 individual steps that are a closely held recipe.

http://www.kraftmaid.com/footer/whychoosekraftmaid/cabinets/manufacturingprocess...

Hope this helps a little, post back if need be....I would talk to the manufacturer (NOT the sales people) of the cabinets and simply ask them about their finishes and processes and see what they say.Regards- 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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