Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - Refinishing kitchen & bath oak cabinets
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04-10-01, 02:22 PM
We had our house gutted and rebuilt after the 1994 CA earthquake. When our oak cabinets were put in they were beautiful, but not long after the finish started to come off where ever water hit.
1. Why didn't the contractor apply the correct finish for a water area (he didn't tell us we had a choice).
2. What can be do now (what product)? How should it be applied?
We have put this off long enough. The weather is so crazy here that it is often too hot to do this type of work. Right now the weather is great, I can leave windows open so we can get ventilation while it dries. This weather won't last. Please help A.S.A.P..
1. Why didn't the contractor apply the correct finish for a water area (he didn't tell us we had a choice).
2. What can be do now (what product)? How should it be applied?
We have put this off long enough. The weather is so crazy here that it is often too hot to do this type of work. Right now the weather is great, I can leave windows open so we can get ventilation while it dries. This weather won't last. Please help A.S.A.P..
George
04-10-01, 05:30 PM
Gini:
Sorry to hear about your misfortune. Unfortunately some 'contractors' look only at the bottom line, adn rather than trying to upgrade you to what you needed gave you what was convenient (for them).
The two best finishes for a water environment (high humidity) are standard varnish, which may not be readily available in Ca., orpolyurethane. The latter is probably only available in the waterborne variety.
The cabinets are currently finished in a lacquer - probably catalyzed. Regardless, they should have held up longer than they appear - you didn't mention how long you've had them. You may have a legitimate beef with the contractor. Unfortunately, your complaint is really agains the mfg. of the cabinets, but since you got them through the contractor he's the one who'll have to make restitution if it's available. You might want to consult a lawyer on this.
Now, let's put my legal expert hat in a corner (where it belongs) and look at what you can do.
You can paint - this is the easiest option you have. Sand, prime, and paint.
You can refinish. By that I mean strip the cabinets down to bare wood and apply another finish. I would advise against trying to put any kind of clear finish over the deteriorating lacquer - expecially another type of finish.
I wish I could offer better hopes, but hat's the way I see it - anyone else with other ideas is welcome to join in.
Sorry to hear about your misfortune. Unfortunately some 'contractors' look only at the bottom line, adn rather than trying to upgrade you to what you needed gave you what was convenient (for them).
The two best finishes for a water environment (high humidity) are standard varnish, which may not be readily available in Ca., orpolyurethane. The latter is probably only available in the waterborne variety.
The cabinets are currently finished in a lacquer - probably catalyzed. Regardless, they should have held up longer than they appear - you didn't mention how long you've had them. You may have a legitimate beef with the contractor. Unfortunately, your complaint is really agains the mfg. of the cabinets, but since you got them through the contractor he's the one who'll have to make restitution if it's available. You might want to consult a lawyer on this.
Now, let's put my legal expert hat in a corner (where it belongs) and look at what you can do.
You can paint - this is the easiest option you have. Sand, prime, and paint.
You can refinish. By that I mean strip the cabinets down to bare wood and apply another finish. I would advise against trying to put any kind of clear finish over the deteriorating lacquer - expecially another type of finish.
I wish I could offer better hopes, but hat's the way I see it - anyone else with other ideas is welcome to join in.
04-10-01, 07:09 PM
Thats what we thought we would have to do. I wanted to make sure before I put in all that work.
I miss spoke about the contractor, they were custom built by the cabinet maker himself. I didn't like what the contractor wanted to do (homebase special). The work I saw at his workshop were smooth as glass, mine were not.
Thanks George, I knew I could count on you.
I miss spoke about the contractor, they were custom built by the cabinet maker himself. I didn't like what the contractor wanted to do (homebase special). The work I saw at his workshop were smooth as glass, mine were not.
Thanks George, I knew I could count on you.