Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/CONVERSION VARNISH

Advertisement

Expert: - 8/18/2010


Question
HAVE YOU EVER HAD A PROBLEM USING 100% SILICONE CAULK TO CAULK IN TILE BACK SPLASH ONTO KITCHEN CABINETS FINISHED WITH CONVERSION VARNISH.DID IT TURN THE CABINETS YELLOWISH GREEN OR ANY OTHER COLOR FOR THAT MATTER.IS IT SAFE TO USE 100% SILICONE VARNISH NEXT TO CABINETS FINISHED WITH CONVERSION VARNISH

Answer
Hey Mike, Please turn off the caps, as it makes it seem like you're yelling....Silicone contains Acetic acid, which may react with certain catalyzed finishes, but I have no way of knowing what was used on those cabinets.I would contact the manufacturer and see what they say and recommend for a caulk.I use Lexel a lot...it's extremely clear and unlike silicones, it will stick to itself allowing reapplication or touch up down the road.....I have never heard of the type of reaction you're describing, but many of the newer catalyzed, waterborne finishes are different than the old solvent based products...please let me know what you find out...Regards- Greg

http://www.sashcosealants.com/Home_Improvement/Lexel.aspx

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.