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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/satin finish over high gloss varnish

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Expert: - 12/12/2009


Question
Hi, I recently had some red oak kitchen cabinets installed and the quality is great, the color is beautiful, but it has a very high gloss finish which I very much dislike. (It shines and glares when lights are on.) Is there a product that I can apply over this finish to flatten the gloss, so that it is not so shiney? Thank you!

Answer
Hi Georgia, no, without refinishing the whole kitchen, there really isn't a way to do what you want, unfortunately....your cabinets most likely have a catalyzed, sprayed on lacquer, or Urethane finish, and not a varnish, and therefore the only thing that could be applied over the existing finish is the same type of finish in a different gloss level...and they would have to be prepped properly, and then sprayed by a Pro to assure proper adhesion, and durability of the finish.That would mean  a lot of work and therefore be very expensive. A high gloss finish is quite unusual though, and usually that's something that would have to be specially designated when ordering..........regards- Greg

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks

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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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