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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/dull spots on 1970's cabinets

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Expert: - 8/7/2009


Question
Hello Greg,

I live in a house which was built in 1976. The kitchen cabinets are a dark brown stain. The areas around the handles were dull so I cleaned them with a cleaning liquid called Simple Green. They are clean but the surface is as dull if not duller. The interesting thing is that if you look at the cabinets from a distance (10 feet) or straight on, it is hard to see a problem. But if there is light on the doors and you look at them from an angle, the areas around the handle are very dull. I have tried Liquid Gold and it works immediately but turns dull after sitting a while. I don't know what the finish is or how to try to get the shine back. The color has not changed. I have some Old English scratch repair liquid I have thought about trying. I appreciate any help you can provide.
Sincerely,

Gary Longest

Answer
Hi Gary, the finish is probably at it's serviceable life, and it's likely a lacquer.It will start to degrade in the wear areas, and the sheen will suffer first, followed by softening, and eventual failure. Some cleaners can actually etch the clear coat so be careful.Test the area with your fingernail and see if it is soft enough to mark. If it's still hard, you can try a polishing compound to buff out the clear coat. I like 3M's "Finesse it II", or the finer "One Step Clean and wax", which you can find here:
http://www.amazon.com/3M-Finesse-Finishing-Material-Bottle/dp/B0009KJ21O

http://www.amazon.com/3M-One-Step-Cleaner-Wax/dp/B0002NUNCK
Or at a good Auto parts store.
Remove the hardware and rub the areas with a pad of several layers of folded t-shirt material, a quarter sized drop of the compound, with medium elbow grease and long overlapping strokes, until the product drags, then buff off with a soft, clean cloth.If this doesn't bring back the luster and sheen, it may be time for more serious restoration. Hope that helps- post back if need be- Regards-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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