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Expert: - 1/25/2010


Question
Greg,  My dark cherry cabinets have been in use for 18 years.  They have lost their luster.  They show finger prints. There are light places around some of the pulls where the the finish is wearing away.  What should I do? I don't want to replace them and I don't want to place laminates over them.  Professional refinishing seems like a large job because I have a lot of cabinets.

Answer
Hi Janice, these cabinets sound like they're on their last legs as far as the finish is concerned...18-20 years is a decent service life for a cabinet finish....and this is not something that could be touched up by a novice, (or perhaps, even a Pro), as these finishes typically don't repair well. They utilize "toning", the process of spraying color coats over the stain coats, and then followed by the clears.....a multi step finish, and once the layers start to be compromised, it just isn't easy, or even possible in some cases, to feather in a repair to these finishes...you could look into refacing, which is basically replacing the doors and drawer fronts with new, prefinished ones, and it's likely you can get something that will be a close match to the original color of the "boxes", and that those can be restored to match as well...you won't be able to find anyone easily, if at all, to refinish or even restore the finish on kitchen cabinets such as these...the labor involved quickly becomes pretty expensive, when compared to purchasing new or refacing...it just doesn't make good sense.There are quite a few refacing places (even Sears does it), and I would have 2-3 in to give estimates and show samples, just to see what type of investment this would be. You'll likely find a range of cost as well...and you might be pleasantly surprised at the cost, versus a new kitchen full of cabinets....but it isn't going to be inexpensive if it is a large kitchen.....hope that helps a little- 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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