Expert: Eileen Cronk - 6/22/2007

Question
The finish is worn off of the cabinets from washing over the years. They are 10 years old. I do not like the whitewash/pickled oak look and would like to do them over with  a red oak finish. I used Formby's refinisher and it does work but the time involved and the mess to strip the white wash off leaves me weak! Would sanding work just as well?? There is a product called Polyshades which is a stain/varnish combo, do you think that will work??

Answer
Hi Jean
Nice to hear from you.
Funny enough Jean I had my first experience with this product today.
Its made by Minwax.
I was quite impressed.
I am using it on a table that the top has seen better days and I wanted something that covered well.
I think it would work on your pickled cabinets.
So how about trying just a small area first that is not too conspicuous?
And surface prep is vital so the sanding is important.
If it wasn't for the pickling, I would suggest just a good cleaning with TSP and steel wool, but hopefully the sanding will remove some of the pickling.
Good luck
Kindest regards
Eileen