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Question
To freshen up our oak kitchen cabinets doors, I first cleaned with Murphys oil soap and light steel wool before spraying with a Minwax clear finish. However, sections of the doors turned milky white. I tried light scraping and sanding and re applied the spray with the same results. Can someone help to remove the milky white stains.
Hi Peter, unfortunately your method of "freshening up" is not a good one....the Murphy's will leave a residue behind (the 'oil' in oil soap), as it's comprised of Potassium soaps of vegetable oil composition, Sodium EDTA, fragrances, Propylene glycol and other surfactants...and trying to apply a finish over that, is the reason for the hazing/blushing of your finish.It will not de-grease and in fact will likely leave the original grease, grime, oils, etc. in tact on the surface, and make it even worse for applying a finish...unfortunately though, what you're attempting to do is a no-no, anyway. Modern cabinets are finished with high tech (usually catalyzed) finishes, and applying another, non compatible, finish over the top is a bad idea. Unless you know exactly what you're doing, and use the appropriate, compatible finishing products and technique,de-grease with a solvent and thoroughly prep the surfaces, you're likely to ruin the cabinets.These milky patches are not 'stains' they are a chemical reaction with the the residue/oils/grease/dirt on the cabinets, and/or a reaction with the factory finishing. The only way to get rid of this is to remove what you've applied, and that's very difficult now without damaging further the original finish.Depending on what "clear finish" you have used, and how much you've applied it will be difficult to fix this......wish I had better news, but one should ALWAYS consult someone knowledgeable before undertaking such a course of action. Cabinet finishing/refinishing/restoring is NOT the realm of the typical DIY'er- post back if need be- regards- Greg
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thanks soo much. Although I am a pretty good do it your selfer, I knew the results of my attempt was some kind of chemical reaction. Fortunately I only did one door that sees a lot of water from the sink. I will take your advice and for the rest of the cabinets. Maybe just use a mild cleaner and call it good. | ||
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Answers by Expert:
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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