Expert: Eileen Cronk - 1/1/2010

Question
QUESTION: I am looking to re-varnish my existing cupboard doors.  I don't want to re-stain just re-varnish.  What is the best way to go about that?  The cupboard doors have some of that yucky sticky grime that is hard to get off the corners.  What cleaner can I use to clean all that off before I sand and re-varnish?  I am thinking I just need to clean them good and lightly sand then apply varnish.  Is that right?   THANK YOU!

ANSWER: Hi Janae
Nice to hear from you.
You will have to give the cupboards a good scrub with mineral spirits (called varsol in Canada), and steel wool. Dip the wool in the spirits and use it as a scrub pad. Dry as you go with clean rags. If you really use some elbow this will also deglaze the surface to allow the new varnish to stick or as you rightly suggest a light sanding. Use 120 grit paper for sanding.
Nothing will stick unless the doors are 100%grease and grime free.
Happy New Year
Eileen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the info Eileen,  I read somewhere to use Greased Lightning.  Would that do the trick as far as removing the grease and grime?  It seems to me that steel wool be quite abrasive on the cupboards?  
Thanks again,

Answer
Hi again Janae
I am in Canada and products are different as you can appreciate, but if this is a degreaser, thats what to use.
Did you know we can actually rub steel wool over our nylons without damage?
So rest assured the steel wool used as a scrubber if you are going to re varnish will do nothing but good.
I certainly would not use it for general cleaning but you are not doing that.
Regards
Eileen