Expert: Greg Scholl - 4/29/2010

Question
I'm putting in new oak cabinets in my kitchen and looking for petroleum-free finish because I am allergic to petroleum products.  I've found a whey-based finish from Vermont that seems promising, but very expensive and Golden's all-natural tung oil. I saw on your response to a question that the stain you use may affect the drying.  What kind of stain should you use with tung oil?  Which would be better or is there a better alternative?

Answer
Hi Jean, many of the modern high tech finishes that Kitchen cabinet manufacturers are using now are waterborne Acrylic Urethanes and non Petroleum technologies.Kitchen cabinet manufacturers are leading the way in development and use of these newer, low V.O.C. finishes, and they have an association, (KCMA) that sets standards that these finishes have to meet in regard to toughness, clarity, durability, stain resistance, etc. I have experience with Vermont Naturals product, and it is a very good product, but it really needs to be sprayed on with high quality spray equipment for the best results, and that takes a high degree of skill and experience, (as well as the equipment which can be expensive).They are currently developing their own line of stains to be used with the clear coats, and they should be out soon if they're not available already. From the tone of your question, I'm assuming you're wanting to finish these cabinets yourself, and while this is possible, you won't be able to apply as durable, tough and long lasting a finish without spraying it on. This is the standard in cabinet finish application for several reasons.Trying to brush on one of these coatings is really difficult, and will not allow one to get the smooth, professional look of a sprayed on finish.A Tung oil finish is a viable alternative, but will look and wear differently than a surface film finish. These are penetrating finishes that go into the wood fibers and harden from within, unlike conventional surface film finishes, (varnishes, lacquers, urethanes) If you want to use the Golden's with the Citrus solvent, I would contact them about recommended stains, but my gut would tell me to recommend a dye stain because Tung oil finishes are penetrating finishes, and oil stains and other pigmented stains seal the wood as they dry, which would tend to prevent penetration of the Tung oil. Dye stains are a different animal than the conventional oil stain to work with as well, and also require a bit of experience (or practice) to apply properly, as they are dyes, not pigment based, less forgiving, and not easily reversible should you goof, apply too dark, etc. I would also investigate the Citrus solvent carefully as it's possible it might be a problem for you, too....My Best recommendation is to have the cabinets finished for you by a kitchen cabinet shop that is using one of these newer waterborne catalyzed urethanes or something like the Vermont Natural product, or purchase finished cabinets. I would worry about your exposure to ANY solvents, and it would just be smarter, and safer for you NOT take on such a job.Also, finishing a kitchen full of cabinets, to a professional looking, durable, deep lustrous finish, is a difficult job,requiring a fairly high level of skill, knowledge and experience, and NOT one I would recommend for a novice.Keep in mind that a professionally applied, KCMA rated finish, will give you 20+ years of low, to no, maintenance life, and that's not something you could easily get from a DIY job.....Hope that helps- please feel free to post back- regards- Greg