Expert: Greg Scholl - 1/18/2011

Question
QUESTION: I read your recent answer about kitchen cabinets, and it further convinced me that the guy who built *my* cabinets didn't know what he was doing as far as finishing, more into the aesthetics than practicality. My cabinets are unstained cherry, and kitchen stuff (e.g. oil) seeps right into the finish and can't be cleaned. My cabinet guy agreed to re-sand and refinish the drawer fronts, and claimed to have put three coats of finish on.  I've had them back only a few weeks and they already look like crap again.

My question is, what kind of finish should kitchen cabinets have for durability that looks most natural? I realize from your previous answer that there are a lot of options, but perhaps you could throw out a few suggestions. Thank you very much.

ANSWER: Hi Ellen,Modern cabinets are finished with tough, catalyzed clear coats (chemically crosslinking) and they offer the ultimate in durability and toughness to last 25+ years with almost no maintenance....what is he using as a finish?Many guys think they can finish cabinets the same as the factories who lead the way in this technology.....and most cannot. Whatever he's using, it doesn't sound like a proper surface finish for kitchen cabinets.....post back- Greg

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QUESTION: He says he used 3 coats of "clear lacquer." I'm thinking I'm going to have to put another finish on them myself or hire someone to do it (know anyone in Colorado that does this work?) so I'd love your opinion on what I should look for. Thanks much, Greg.

Answer
Conventional lacquer is not a good choice for kitchen cabinets, if that's what he's using...he should be applying a catalyzed finish- and todays "state of the art" cabinet finishes are waterborne Acrylic Urethanes, Low to zero VOC technologies from Europe....Conventional solvent lacquer is not up to the task of protecting kitchen cabinets, and will not stand up as compared to these high tech finishes that are specifically designed for kitchen cabinets.....he should be applying a conversion varnish,Catalyzed, or Oxygen coalescing type Urethane or another similar finish. These finishes are crosslinking finishes that harden more by chemical reaction than evaporation, and when properly applied will last 25+ years.They are extremely tough and durable, washable, and low maintenance. (up to 10 times harder than a conventional lacquer and MUCH more resistant to chemicals, cleaners, water spotting, etc.) These finishes are actually rated by the KCMA (kitchen cabinet manuf. Assoc.) Some of the newer cabinet manufacturers are giving a lifetime warranty on these finishes. If things are "soaking" into the wood as you put it, or the job does not look right to you, then he's not applying a proper finish at all, for sure....many perfectly good cabinet makers are NOT finishers, and don't know, or don't keep up on, the newer technologies in the industry. (even though catalyzed lacquers and Conversion varnishes have been used for over 25 years).You could ask him if the finish he's using is designed for kitchen cabinets, and does it carry a KCMA rating.....that might be very telling ..if he looks at you with a glazed look in his eyes...find a Cabinet shop in your area, that does custom kitchens as a specialty, not as an addition to their other work, and ask them about their finishes. You can also take a trip to HomeDepot, Lowes, etc, and look closely at the finishes on their samples,and display kitchens. (they'll have MANY to look at). These will be the "state of the art" finishes I'm referring to...KraftMaid, Merillat, all the big names pioneered this finish technology in conjunction with the finish manufacturers.(Sherwin Williams, M.L.Campbell, Mohawk, etc.)Anyone can make a decent cabinet, (including your guy), but the finishes are really what sets these cabinets apart, and if you try to get information on these finishes from the big manufacturers, you will quickly find them very protective over their finish technology, because THIS is what sets them apart from their competitors...not the cabinets, but the finishes.It sounds to me like your guy is NOT a finisher, at least he's not up on the products and techniques used in the industry to produce these state of the art finishes, which are essential if the cabinets are to look decent for 20+ years, and hold up. Hope that continues to help.