Expert: Greg Scholl - 1/11/2010

Question
Dear Sir
We have had these Hard Maple cupboards for  quite a few years. Around the door and drawer handles on the most used, The Lacquer is turning soft and comes off very easy with any cleaner. I have seen profesionals fix these up by cleaning a applying new lacquer. The company's that I have been able to find say it is cheaper to throw these cupboards out and install new ones for $ 20,000.00 at my age this makes no sence to me Is there not a professional touch up lacquer that can be used with a little care and time. Plus I might need a stain first What kind would be best.

Ken

Answer
Hi Ken, if the lacquer is softening to that degree, trying to apply new lacquer over a failing finish is never a good idea. The old finish would need to come off. Also, very often what you're seeing isn't stain, but toner, which is a Dye colored lacquer sprayed over a stain (or not, or even more than one stain), and under the clear coat, which is very hard to match and blend in with the original. Even someone with a lot of skill and knowledge would have a tough time making a decent finish repair like this. It doesn't repair well,because of the nature of these finishes, and as I said, if it's failing to that degree....it most likely isn't worth it, because it may mean a complete refinish. These finishes can have upwards of 15 individual steps, utilizing stains, (sometimes more than one), sealers, toners, and multiple clear coats. It'll likely be an exercise in frustration, especially for a novice.There are many professional touch up supplies available, including the dyes, stains, toners, clear coats, etc., but quite a bit of experience and knowledge is required to know what colors might work, what sheen topcoat to use, whether to use a catalyzed top coat or a conventional lacquer, how to properly prep the doors and drawers and how... and even whether it's possible, to pull off a repair that would match the existing, surrounding finish.This is also, exacting and time consuming work, meaning expensive, and it would be tough to find someone willing to take it on, as you may be finding.Refacing is an option, which is usually considerably less expensive than replacing, and it's likely you could find a close match to the existing color and finish in a replaceable door and drawer front that's factory finished...wish I could be more help, but there is no easy (and inexpensive) solution. Regards- Greg