Expert: Eileen Cronk - 8/2/2007

Question
Hi Eileen,
I read your answer to a question regarding dark walnut cabinets.  We also purchased a home with beautiful walnut kitchen cabinets and many of them appear to have "dried out."  What products do you recommend to strip and refinish them?
Thanks

Answer
Hi Lisa
Nice to hear from you.
While I cannot remember the question you refer to, thats OK.
I like to take each question individually, and sometimes new or better products come along (which I have used of course) and my products could change slightly.
Now with your walnut cupboards, I do not recommend stripping before you try the following on just one door.
And if we can get your cupboards looking great again without all the work of stripping so much the better.
First a good scrub with TSP solution and a steel wool pad used as a scrubber.
When dry, a coat of Minwax Special Walnut stain rubbed on with a rag.
When dry (could take 48 hours), a couple of coats of low luster tung oil also applied with a rag.
Try just one door. And no harm done if you decide to go the stripping route (but I bet you won't.)
Good Luck and a great question
Regards
Eileen