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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Durability of [Oil] Finishes for Kitchen Cabinetry

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Expert: - 3/26/2009


Question
We are trying to decide which cabinet maker to go with for a kitchen project.  
One company takes pride in their hand applied, multi coat, natural oil finish.  
The other feels its baked on finish is far superior and durable, and while oil
based finishes may look nice, they are not appropriate or very durable in
heavily used kitchen settings (heavy=2-5 meals/day)

What do you think?  How can one differentiate?

Thanks

Answer
There are quite a few variables to consider...like what the "oil" finish really is. many of these are really oil/varnish finishes (WaterLox for instance), and by "baked on" I'm assuming you mean a catalyzed or similar clear finish. The real and obvious difference will be the look of the finish. An oil or oil/varnish finish is a penetrating finish and doesn't sit 'on' the wood like a lacquer, urethane, or varnish, and therefore looks quite different.(it will eventually 'build' with many coats) When the oil finish starts to look dull or dirty, one can simply clean it and add another coat, not so with the surface finish. But the sprayed on catalyzed finishes are very durable, and should last 20-30 years with virtually no maintenance, the oil will need to be renewed and monitored over that time span, and it can waterspot, and get damaged by steam and moisture, and cleaners.One should be a bit more expensive too....the oil finish would be the cheaper of the two. The baked on finish can also be "toned" or tinted to enhance the depth of color and to hide differences in grain and color of the wood, unlike the oil, which will tend to accentuate those differences. This can make the same wood species, (Cherry for instance), look markedly different.The high tech clear finishes even use sunscreens to help the wood maintain it's original color throughout it's life, unlike the oil/varnishes. I would do whatever it takes to see the differences up close,look at various samples of the finishes in the same wood species..... ask to talk to a past customer, someone who's been living a few years with their kitchen, they'll have a definite opinion...in the end it's about budget, durability, and overall look.....hope that helps a little. Post back if need be and best of luck- 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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