Expert: Eileen Cronk - 9/27/2009

Question
Hello, I inadvertently stripped my 50 year old oak wood cabinets when cleaning them with Murphys oil soap - not all of them, just a part by the handle that was really grimy.  It's noticeably whiter than the rest of the cabinet - any way I can fix it up a bit without re-doing the whole cabinet door?

Answer
Hi Jeanmarie
Nice to hear from you.
Its likely the finish was gone in the areas you mention and the Murphys just really cleaned the wood. But whatever happened needs fixing.
Get a tiny can of Minwax oil stain in a color match to your caninets.
Rub it on with a rag.
Any difference? If yes you can proceed to apply a protective top coat to the area.
If the wood did not absorb color then try a gel stain but first remove any traces of the Minwax stain with a rag dipped in mineral spirits.
Good Luck.
Eileen