Expert: Eileen Cronk - 8/18/2006

Question
Hi Eileen,
  Thank you for your prompt answer.  Yes, you did not suggest mixing with mineral spirits.  I got that advice from someone else.  The cabinets do not have lacquer, and they were never stained.  They were merely left out in the sun to darken, after the original oiling.  This is why I was reluctant to stain them now.  It's not clear to me how I can stain wood to match the same wood without stain.  But if you think this will work, I'll follow your instructions exactly on another door.
Thanks,
  Gary

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Followup To

Question -
Hi Eileen,
  I found some of your advice on refinishing kitchen cabinets, but it's not working so well.  Mine are cherry and oak, with no stain. I used TSP, then several coats of tung oil (the first coat mixed with mineral spirits) on one door as a test.  Parts of it look very nice, but parts are darkened and look "dirty".  I thought I wasn't getting it clean enough, so I tried another door, lightly sanding it after the TSP.  It is better, but still not great.  On a 3rd door, I haven't yet  put on the oil, but it doesn't look very good after sanding.  Do I need a stronger cleaner, or heavier sanding?  Any other advice?  
Thanks,
   Gary


Answer -
Hi Gary
Nice to hear from you.
Sorry, but no where on this or any site have I ever said to mix the first coat of tung oil with mineral spirits LOL
So don't do that please.
Gary I think there could be two things happening here.
The first is you missed the part in my instructions where I said to stain in a matching color before applying the tung oil. If you neglect this step, any places where the finish has worn off will be a different color after the tung oil dries.
The second is you could have a laquer finish on your cupboards.
If this is the case, this will have to be stripped off with paint stripper.
In most cases paint stripper will remove laquer, but not in all.
If the stripper does not work, laquer thinner will have to be used.
Gary are you willing to try one more door the correct way before doing anything else?
First a scrub with TSP using a steel wool pad as a scrubber. Let the doors dry overnight.
Next apply Minwax stain in a color that matches the existing color (Minwax has color charts)
And finally after the stain is really dry (could take as long as 48 hours), a coat of low lustre tung oil. Circa brand if available.
And no sanding...I never said that either LOL.
Its important to me that you get this done to your satisfaction so get back to me please.
Regards
Eileen  

Answer
Hi again Gary
Yes please try just one door my way.
And I was really glad to hear the doors were not laquered.
Now I must get something clear because I do not want this messed up.
You say
It's not clear to me how I can stain wood to match the same wood without stain.  But if you think this will work, I'll follow your instructions"
OK so you obviously know exactly how the doors were originally finished ..that is with no stain and only oil applied.
The purpose of staining before oiling is so any areas that are worn or scratched will hopefully not show. These areas in my opinion will be a different tone if only oil is applied.
And remember that the wood will have darkened over time especially if its cherry. Oak darkens somewhat, but not like cherry.
But yes, just try one door and get back to me.
I am really interested in the results.
Regards
Eileen