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Expert: - 2/9/2011


Question

chipping in glass cabi
Hello, I saw another customer had this problem on your site and someone responded this is not normal.  Two years ago we put in a custom made kitchen, of $20,000.  Cabinets are made of maple, with a chocolate stain and glazing. Alittle under a year, we noticed chipping in several places with a lot being on the edge of the wood where our glasses go, four goes etc.  We are sick, because we are not rough on this kitchen, and although some wear may occur, this seems too much and natural color is showing underneath.  There are other issues, to get to the point, these cabinet people are not taking care of things what would you do next? We were thinking getting a professional opinion from someone and then thinking possibly legal.  But who would be good for a professional opinion a furniture medic?  Really could use your opinion.  Kitchen is now 2 years old, in 20 years its gonna look terrible.

Answer
Hi Jen, you label the picture you sent "chipping from wrist rubbing against wood"...if that's the case, then this is NOT a manufacturers issue...it's a wear issue...from something wearing away that edge. From the picture, the damage DOES look like wear from contact with something, like someone hastily putting away clean dishes and striking the edge of the frame there. Does this area get wet? Wetness settling on edges like this over and over again will also cause the finish to lift and flake eventually....it does NOT look like the finish is flaking from some type of finish defect....sharp edges like this are subject to damage, but without seeing this up close, it's very difficult for me to get a sense of what's going on here....I'm not a fan of "Furniture Medics" I have been called in to repair their "repairs" before,and the work was amateurish at best....but they are a franchise, and subject to VERY different results and standards depending on who's running it....I would seek out a good Restorer, or better yet a reputable Kitchen Cabinet company who does finishing, and have them evaluate the issues.Has someone from the manufacturer actually come and look at this?...if so, what was their verdict? Most of these p[eople will offer to look at it for no charge, so get a few people in to give you their opinions...Unfortunately these dark finishes on a light wood like Maple, show damage much worse than something else might (Cherry, Walnut, etc)...because when the damage goes through the color coat it shows up almost white....starkly different from the surrounding areas, unlike a wood, (more expensive wood) that's got inherent brown color.Hope that helps a little....post back if need be- regards- Greg
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    CommentThanks Greg, the chipping is not only on sharp edges inside the cabinets, it is on the outside on doors etc in several places. It is not like there was even a ding mark it looks like the stain has chipped away in certain spots. I have been told so far by people who kinda know the business, that their staining procedures may have been off because it didn't look like the under layer soaked in any of the stain. But you think it is expected the wood underneath will be really light in color. Considering your thought. Also, there were other things two areas had wood planks seperate and the panels above our stove started moving when they originally did not thus, if they weren't moved back in place after wiping down, you would see a lack of stain or glazing. Our special order expensive knobs are stripping as well, so it is hard to get replacement screws in them. Never will purchase expensive knobs again! The biggest deal, is for 20,000$ and this is the third kitchen/house we have been in, we have never seen cabinets like these, then again, never had chocolate stain. Our cabinet company has an F rating on BBB, found this out later, and alls we want is good service, which is lacking. What is funny, is my husband and I are easy going decent people who worked hard to have such a nice kitchen, and take great care of this kitchen, but despite our efforts, we are at a loss. I feel like we have been had. Hey, thanks for your opinion I know that picture to anyone looks more like damage, this is the frustrating part, we take care of our kitchen. My four cabinet has the same issues, now bags of four, and sugar, a box of pancake mix. How could those cause such bad chipping? They are soft? Oh well, have a great day. Jen


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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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