Expert: Greg Scholl - 1/19/2010

Question
RE: white residue on exterior of upper kitchen cabinet; residue is located underneath and lower outside edge of cabinets

I'm thinking this is a result of using an electric water kettle. It sits on top of the kitchen counter. The steam from the kettle escapes above and I'm sure over time has "marinated" the wood. It's been there for about one year and all of a sudden this white residue appears overnight and apparent moisture damage! Amazing.

The kettle is definitely going to be moved.

How might we clean this residue? A simple wiping doesn't do the job rid the white residue. Plus the underside of the cabinet is not as smooth as it once was.

Thanks!  

Answer
Hi Dennis, the white is probably "blushing" which can be caused by excessive moisture, and the finish may have been able to protect for a while, the white may be able to be removed with a "blush eliminator", which is a lacquer aerosol product...the wood under the finish is probably what's rough now, the finishes grip on the wood itself may also be compromised, because the wood will have absorbed and released the humidity over and over again..the blushing of the finish has probably been building over time, and it's really that all of a sudden you really noticed it...it's usually a fairly gradual issue, unless you had a particularly steamy session with the kettle recently. If you're cabinets are finished with a catalyzed finish, the blush remover may not work, and then you'll be looking at much more invasive restoration ( meaning refinishing). It is however, a fairly inexpensive thing to try. It is also, however, a blend of fairly noxious solvents, so you need to protect the area around it, and provide ventilation and breathing protection, ( a cartridge respirator, not a dust mask) if you're going to try it.....you would shake the aerosol really well, and then apply it in overlapping strokes to the point of evenly wetting the surface,....not too wet, you don't want it dripping or running, but not too dry either, it's important to have enough to melt the lacquer to release the blush, and then it re-hardens again in about 30 minutes. If all this is too nerve wracking, you could call in a Pro to evaluate it with you- feel free to post back- regards- Greg

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2007235/29157/Jet-Spray-Blush-Eraser.aspx