Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Unfinished Cabinets

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Expert: - 9/6/2010


Question
I purchased an unfinished pine cabinet from Just Cabinets.  I have yet to assemble it because I am still deciding how to finish it thinking I should do that before I assemble it.  It is going in the kitchen with a butcherblock top.  I am very sensitive to chemicals and am looking for a way to seal it, unless I don't have to.  Is it a must to protect the wood?  Can I leave it as is?  Or if it is a must, is there something I can use that is natural that will seal it or finish it?  I thought of 'whitewashing' it with paint for an old-fashioned country look though I'm not sure I will like it.  I don't want it to look bad but I'm not partial to making myself very sick by exposing myself to chemicals.  Do you have any suggestions?  Thank you very much for your help.  

Answer
Hi Larissa, It's important to finish any cabinetry that will be used in a kitchen or bath.It will protect the wood from moisture damage, add the ability to clean it, and keep it from absorbing any dirt/oils/grime, etc...most of the waterborne products will have very low VOC and low toxicity. I have been using Vermont Natural Finishes Poly Whey Coatings for a while- they are made from Whey, a by product of the cheese making process, and are almost completely odor free, and yield a durable, hard finish. "pickling" or "whitewashing" Pine is a good choice, but it's tricky to apply evenly if you're not familiar with the methods and techniques....and you do have to like that finish...it's not for everyone. Minwax makes a waterborne product called "Winterwhite" and another called "Whitewash" for creating these finishes.Once applied and dried overnight, one can apply the Vermont Naturals, or any other suitable topcoat to the finish to add durability and protection to the piece.

http://www.vermontnaturalcoatings.com/VNCFurniture.html

http://www.minwax.com/products/wood_stains/water_based_wood_stain.html#Colors

Hope that helps-post back if need be- regards- Greg

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks

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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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