Expert: Eileen Cronk - 3/17/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have oak cabinets in my kitchen which the previous owner painted white.  I've stripped the back of one of the doors and put 3 coats of a minwax oil-based penatrating stain.  While I don't mind the grain of oak, I want a more uniform color.  Can I do this by using an exterior  solid stain?  Can I apply the stain over what I have already stained?  I haven't put a finishing coat on yet.

ANSWER: Hi Jeff
Nice to hear from you.
OK..let me get this straight as I'm confused (nothing new for me LOL).
You are going to strip white paint off your entire set of oak kitchen cabinets. Then you want to apply a solid stain..correct?
You asked "can I do this with exterior stain?"
Answer ..Yes
You asked "Can I apply the stain over what I already stained?"
Answer..Yes
But I don't recommend the solid stain which will look like paint.
If you apply a solid stain there is no need to strip the white paint. Just a good sanding.
Jeff I think whats happening here is the Minwax stain is not penetrating the oak. There is just no way 3 coats of Minwax stain can be applied to oak.  And actually what happens is the second coat takes off the first etc.
You are in the testing stage and thats exactly the right thing to do.
So test some gel stain next before considering the solid.

Get back to me
Regards
Eileen



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

QUESTION: Thanks Eileen.  I don't think you're confused.  It sounds like you got everything correct, but maybe you can help me with a different solution to this question.  I have two different pieces of furniture that I bought already finished from two different places, but both have a very similar finish that I'm trying to mimic it on my cabinets.  Both have a very dark brown/black finish.  Both are not painted, but both have a visible grain and a uniform color.  One has the wide grain of oak but not the distinct variation in color like I got with my cabinets.  I was thinking the solid stain could match this finish, but I don't want the cabinets to look painted.  What about a semi-transparent?  Does a semi-transparent give a more uniform color than the Minwax stain?  Or should I try the gel stain that you suggested?  I haven't found a gel stain in a color I like.  My other thought is to put a poly/stain like Minwax's Polyshades on top of what I've already done but I've read some not good reports about them.  Thanks again for your help!

Answer
Hi Again Jeff
OK..now I get the picture.
The furniture you are trying to match your cupboards to has a colored lacquer finish. This is what you are describing.
Here is a link where this is available but these spray cans are not practical for use on a complete set of kitchen cabinets.

http://www.constantines.com/browseproducts/Behlen-Jet-Spray-Lacquers.HTML

The semi trans would give a more uniform look and I would certainly test it. The gel stain will not give you the look you want.
The poly shades really are not great and I hesitate to even say test them if you have to purchase it just for that.
Jeff the bottom line is this..you can absolutely get the look you want but you cannot do it yourself. This can be done in a shop that specializes in lacquer finishes.
The cabinets will need stripping which it sounds like you are prepared to do. Thats the biggest job. The spraying is not.
Of course you can only take the doors and drawers out to be sprayed and the pros will advise the best way to do the cabinet cases.
Keep me posted.
Regards
Eileen