Expert: Jamie Yocono - 4/5/2011

Question
I would like to rejuvenate my oak kitchen cabinets.  They are about 22 years old and are dull amd dry.  Can I use tung oil to clean/polish them?  Will it help to bring out the grain of the wood?  Or can you recommend a product I can use to make them look brighter/cleaner?  Thank you.

Answer
Hi Ellen,

When I have a situation like yours, I use Formby's Conditioning Furniture Refinisher - here's a link: http://www.formbys.com/products/refinisher.cfm

This product works really well, it dissolves the old finish, and puts a coat of a new conditioner on at the same time. Sometimes, your wood might need a bit more finish, and if that's the case, you could use their Tung oil product.

You can probably find this at any hardware store. Sweet!

I've used this stuff many times, and never had problems using it. Wear good gloves, through - this stuff can really dry out your hands. I apply it with one of those 3M scrubbie pads, I like that better than steel wool.

Good luck, hope this helps.

Jamie in Vegas


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Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com
My woodworking blog: www.wooditis.blogspot.com