Expert: Eileen Cronk - 5/1/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hello, Eileen. I'd like to refinish my oak kitchen cabinets. The color (golden oak) is fine, but the finish is completely off (looks like bare wood) in some places. A few stores have recommended the Howard finish restorer, but it didn't help much. Do I need to strip or just sand the old finish off? If I need to strip, can you recommend a stripper? Are the environment-friendly strippers good? Thank you!
ANSWER: Hi Ellen
Nice to hear from you.
This will be a big job if you choose stripping so will you try a "less work" approach first?
Because the finish on your cabinets is mostly gone this might work. And Please try just one door first. If thats the solution, proceed. If not, then stripping.
OK..get a box of TSP powder and a box of medium Bull Dog steel wool.
Mix the tsp as the box says.
Then A real good scrub with the steel wool pad dipped in the TSP solution.
When dry, apply a coat of Minwax Golden Oak stain with a rag. When dry (could take as long as 48 hours so do not panic) apply a coat or 2 of low luster tung oil.
In most cases this will save stripping.
And do not sand these cupboards.
Get back to me if this fails and we will discuss stripping.
Kindest Regards
Eileen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for the "less work" approach! I will try that and let you know. Actually, the finish isn't off all the surfaces, just the most used ones, so this might be a good solution.  

Answer
Hi Again Ellen
I think you will be pleased with this approach. No dust at all, and you do not need to remove any doors or hardware.
But please try a test as I suggest.
And remember that the TSP scrub is the most important step of the process. Really put lots of effort into the prep.
Keep me posted
Eileen