Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Kitchen cabinents

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Expert: - 5/7/2011


Question
I have natural cherry cabinets (made by Brookline- a division of Woodmode) that are 15 years old.  The protective finish (polyurethane I assume) around all the  door handles is worn off.  The thought of stripping all the doors is pretty overwhelming- is there anything else I can do that will improve their appearance? They are beautiful cupboards and I so not want to paint them or change the color of the finish. Thanks.

Answer
Hi Mary Lou, your cabinets are finished with a conversion varnish or catalyzed lacquer finish most likely....they didn't(don't) use polyurethane on cabinets. Trying to restore the finish in these areas or otherwise "touch up" them is really not an easy job, if possible at all. These finishes are sprayed on, and often employ 'toning' which is the use of colored clears to even out and blend grain differences, and this is a common practice on Cherry. Even so called "Natural" Cherry is usually not...and is finished in a multi step process that's usually a closely guarded secret, as these finishes really set each company apart from their competitors. Have you tried to contact WoodMode? I don't know if they would be any help, but it can't hurt to contact them and see if they can offer you the name of a technician at least who can come evaluate the finish with you.....this is not a DIY job for the novice, and requires a high degree of skill and knowledge of these particular finishes, techniques, materials, and would likely not be inexpensive to have done by someone competent. It's usually cost effective to replace the doors and drawer fronts with already finished replacements, (another thing WoodMode might offer), as a competent Pro finisher will likely be charging $45+ an hour plus materials, and that adds up pretty fast. Wish I had better news- 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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