eball Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Saw a post where kitchen cabinets (typical golden color) were lightly sanded and cleaned, then a dark gel stain put over. Looked alright in pictures, but wondering if that is ok to do, or if you really need to use a stripper first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Depends on the under finish. If they are commercial cabinets I would not do that sort of thing. If you want them darker its much easier to seal coat then over spray a tinted top coat or a tint and then a top coat. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMadson Custom Wood Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 What's your seal coat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 What's your seal coat? Shellac is a safe bet. Here watch this little video. Ive been using dyes like this for years and if you keep trak of your recipes you can tint anything any color you want in one or two steps instead of going through all the work. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceHoleInOne Posted February 29, 2012 Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 A lot of what if's Light sanding and cleaning (hopefully with TSP or a solvent) is not the best. Why, because you just don't know what those kitchen cabinets have been exposed to over the years. Oaks are the worst woods due to the open pores that collect years of grime. Also, think about what finishing products you will be using. Solvent based finishes tend to penetrate deep with hot solvents and re-wet the surface below. So should this happen and say the wood underneath is not clean, your finish now has opened itself to potential mingling with contaminates. Probably a year later, your finish may flake and become bad, you just don't know. Sealers are important. Match the recommend sealer to the topcoat, your finish supplier will be a big help here. A true vinyl sealer is best with solvent finishes as shellac is with water-based finishes. In my opinion, stripping the cabinets back, you are stacking the cards in your favor. Nothing worse than labor/materials applying a finish 2 twice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted March 6, 2012 Report Share Posted March 6, 2012 Whatever you decide on trying test it on the back of a lower door. Clean, seal, stain ,topcoat and see how it comes out. Take notes and practice on other door backs before you tackle the whole kitchen. I have had good results cleaning and scuffing the surface with Scotch- Brite pads, red, gray ,and white. Red is coarse, gray medium, and white is fine. Don't get the surfaces too wet with cleaners, or give plenty of drying time if you get carried away. Areas around stoves and frequently used doors can be very greasy. Gel stain might work, give it plenty of drying time and do not put it on too thick or leave globs in corners and crevices. Thin coats of stain and finish dry faster and more uniform. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodger. Posted March 12, 2012 Report Share Posted March 12, 2012 This may be slightly off topic... I have used many stains on many different types of lumber. I have decided recently, that I am tired of the hassle and use of stains. If I want a dark project, I now choose a dark wood (instead of staining something walnut, I build out of walnut). If I want a reddish tint, I build from cherry, etc. This can be expensive, as "the real deal" can cost much more. In the end, however, you have a great project. As a bonus, if it gets nicked or dented, the colour is all the way through! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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