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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/how to finish cherry cabinets

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Expert: - 7/20/2009


Question
I've had my kitchen cabinets custom built but I am going to finish them myself. The cabinets are made of cherry wood and I would appreciate step by step instructions on how to finish them starting with the bare wood and the correct products to use. Please keep it simple because I am new at this. Thank you very much for any and all suggestions you can give me.

Answer
Hi Pat, I wouldn't suggest you try finishing a kitchen full of cabinets yourself unless you have a lot of experience with finishing methods and techniques....there are a multitude of finish types, application methods, staining, sealing, toning techniques, etc., and it could take me hours to instruct you on any of these methods. Kitchen cabinet finishing is typically not a DIY project, especially if you want a professional job that will last 20-25 years. What look are you after, (color, Gloss level, etc.) and what is your experience with wood finishing?

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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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