Thinking that my next project will be to brighten the kitchen cabinets. They are solid oak, and were built and installed 14 years ago. They now have a sticky film on the edges from kitchen oils and hands. As upcoming foot surgery will have me laid up for 2 to 3 months, this seems like a nice slow project that I can work on around the table, with my foot up.
Questions: I was thinking to clean with pure alcohol then orange oil. But I just saw in info-mercal on the Orick steam cleaner, and I wonder if steam might work to cut the goo.
After cleaning I was going to smooth the raised grain (some grain is now raised) with 600 grit paper.
Then would I finish with Lacquer, Bulls Eye shellac, or poly?
Forum expertize will be greatly appreciated.
Gary
Cleaning and finishing kitchen cabinets?
Moderator: admin
Cleaning and finishing kitchen cabinets?
Gary Kalyn
Kalynzoo Productions
Woodworking
Porter Ranch/Northridge
Los Angeles, CA
Kalynzoo Productions
Woodworking
Porter Ranch/Northridge
Los Angeles, CA
I think I'd use a solution of water and ammonia. Depending upon what finish is on there now. Being in the kitchen, I think I'd go with the poly top coat for the protection.
SS 500(09/1980), DC3300, jointer, bandsaw, belt sander, Strip Sander, drum sanders,molder, dado, biscuit joiner, universal lathe tool rest, Oneway talon chuck, router bits & chucks and a De Walt 735 planer,a #5,#6, block planes. ALL in a 100 square foot shop.
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Bob
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Bob
test whatever you are going to do for cleaning on the backside of the cabinet door that is most poorly lit when open.
one of my co-workers said that he uses mineral spirits to wipe down the old finish. unfortunately, he did not tell me this until after my wife started stripping the finish on the cabinets we were cleaning up. so I cannot comment on how well it works.
also, unless you don't care about the finish on the table, you might consider one of those folding plastic tables like Costco and Sam's Club carry. they are indoor-outdoor and you can pick a size that you don't hit your foot on the underside of the table when you prop it up on a chair on the other side of the table. I learned that last part the hard way when I had a sprained ankle and still had to go to meetings at work.
Ivan
one of my co-workers said that he uses mineral spirits to wipe down the old finish. unfortunately, he did not tell me this until after my wife started stripping the finish on the cabinets we were cleaning up. so I cannot comment on how well it works.
also, unless you don't care about the finish on the table, you might consider one of those folding plastic tables like Costco and Sam's Club carry. they are indoor-outdoor and you can pick a size that you don't hit your foot on the underside of the table when you prop it up on a chair on the other side of the table. I learned that last part the hard way when I had a sprained ankle and still had to go to meetings at work.
Ivan
Mark V (84) w/ jigsaw, belt sander, strip sander
ER10 awaiting restoration
ER10 awaiting restoration
- a1gutterman
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Hi Gary,kalynzoo wrote:Thinking that my next project will be to brighten the kitchen cabinets. They are solid oak, and were built and installed 14 years ago. They now have a sticky film on the edges from kitchen oils and hands. As upcoming foot surgery will have me laid up for 2 to 3 months, this seems like a nice slow project that I can work on around the table, with my foot up.
Questions: I was thinking to clean with pure alcohol then orange oil. But I just saw in info-mercal on the Orick steam cleaner, and I wonder if steam might work to cut the goo.
After cleaning I was going to smooth the raised grain (some grain is now raised) with 600 grit paper.
Then would I finish with Lacquer, Bulls Eye shellac, or poly?
Forum expertize will be greatly appreciated.
Gary
I have knot tried this, but it occurred to me to be a possible solution: Autobody shops wipe the car surface with "de-greaser" before painting, to remove any oils; why knot for your cabinets? I might try making inquiries at autobody shops to just what this de-greaser is...
Tim
Buying US made products will help keep YOUR job or retirement funds safer.
Buying US made products will help keep YOUR job or retirement funds safer.
[quote="a1gutterman"]Autobody shops wipe the car surface with "de-greaser" before painting, to remove any oils]
I wood think that what an auto body shop does is removes an oil film. Whereas Gary needs to remove more like a layer of grease. An other idea is to use mineral spirits.
I wood think that what an auto body shop does is removes an oil film. Whereas Gary needs to remove more like a layer of grease. An other idea is to use mineral spirits.
SS 500(09/1980), DC3300, jointer, bandsaw, belt sander, Strip Sander, drum sanders,molder, dado, biscuit joiner, universal lathe tool rest, Oneway talon chuck, router bits & chucks and a De Walt 735 planer,a #5,#6, block planes. ALL in a 100 square foot shop.
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Bob
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Bob
- JPG
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If ya want to get really aggressive, mix up a lye solution. Don't know what effect it will have on present finish though, but it WILL cut the grease!beeg wrote:I wood think that what an auto body shop does is removes an oil film. Whereas Gary needs to remove more like a layer of grease. An other idea is to use mineral spirits.


USE GLOVES!!!!!:eek:
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Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
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Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
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I would suggest you take a try at TSP (trisodium phosphate). They now have a version (at ACE Hardware) that is water washable and relatively benign. You do have to wash the TSP off but I know it works absolutely great on things like metal screen doors. I'll take a look at the container tomorrow to add something more constructive.
Bob Groh
Blue Springs, Missouri (just east of Kansas City, MO)
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1984 SS Mark V updated to model 510
1994 SS Mark V updated to model 520
SS SPT's: Bandsaw
Other tools:routers, Bosch router table, Craftsman 6" jointer, Steel City 12" bench planer, Porter Cable 7" power saw, and too much other stuff (not really - just kidding!!)
Blue Springs, Missouri (just east of Kansas City, MO)
--------------------------------------------
1984 SS Mark V updated to model 510
1994 SS Mark V updated to model 520
SS SPT's: Bandsaw
Other tools:routers, Bosch router table, Craftsman 6" jointer, Steel City 12" bench planer, Porter Cable 7" power saw, and too much other stuff (not really - just kidding!!)