Spot-repair old varnished cabinets with polyurethane?
I want to refurbish kitchen cabinets built in 1953. They are solid, and have historical value, but are getting worn around the door handles and edges. There is a possibility that there's lead in the varnish (this was pre-1970s), so we don't want to strip the finish. We want to touch up the worn spots and edges, trying to get a color match, and then put a new coat of polyurethane over the entire cabinet surfaces (most of the cabinet surfaces are still in good shape, if a bit dull here and there.)
Can this be done safely, and what are the best techniques to use?
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Hi Ken, if you are worried about lead in it, why not repaint them then polyurethane? Or go with a Chalk paint and polyurethane over that? It would look fabulous in the chalk paint!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBzbzMIAlQQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry4oMuhnyAo
I would go to the local hardware/home improvement store to color-match stain to the cabinets. Clean them to remove any dirt and oils. Let them dry and after you've touched up the worn spots with stain you can polyurethane over the cabinets.
This may help:
https://homedecorbliss.com/fix-worn-spots-kitchen-cabinets/
Could polyshades be useful for your situation if there is a color match?
Here’s a link to look over the content and see if it’s a product that will meet your needs. It can be applied over existing existing poly finishes without any stripping or sanding. I find reviews and Q&A’s can often direct me towards the correct purchase. Hope this helps.
https://www.minwax.com/wood-products/one-step-stain-and-finishes/minwax-polyshades
https://www.amazon.com/Minwax-613970444-PolyShades-Polyurethane-Espresso/dp/B00KQK8MEA
Hi Ken. Start with a clean surface. I recommend cleaning your cabinets with Murphy's Oil Soap. The soap will clean and the oil will condition the wood. Next, I would take a door off and bring it to a paint store. They will help you choose the stain that best matches yours. And what poly to use also. Good luck Ken.
There are lots of tutorials here on painting your kitchen cabinets:
https://www.hometalk.com/search/all?filter=paint%20kitchen%20cabinets
Degreaser first to remove residues. Slightly scuff with steel wool to pierce the areas you will poly. This won't change the color of the stain. Clean with TSP. Then poly.
If you think you will need to do a match, take a drawer to a place like Ace Hardware and get them to help you match it up.
I think cleaning off the grease will go a long way. Then add your stain & poly. Most of the damage is from a half century of people grabbing the knobs.
I’d try using Howard’s retore a finish! So easy to use and does a great job at refreshing old wood finish. :)
Spend a few $$ to get a lead test kit before you start sanding. I know that paint and joint compound previously had lead it it. I have never heard that varnish contained lead. A test kit will confirm. https://www.homedepot.com/s/lead%2520test%2520kit?NCNI-5
No lead in varnish. Before you spot touch up find out what coating is actually on cabinets. Could be varnish, shellac , lacquer or oil based poly. Most of those dont like each other and could react or peal if use the wrong finish. Take a door to a stand alone older paint store, they should be able to identify for you. Don't trust the big box hardware stores.
Definitely test for lead before doing anything with this kit: https://amzn.to/2ZNwymA
Hope this Helps! Jeremy - https://do-daddy.com
Formbys has a wood refinisher that works very well. Or call General Finishes they make quality top coats and can help you
I would try Rejuvenate first..... Never heard 50s cabinets are historical, what are they made of your cabinets? https://www.amazon.com/Rejuvenate-Cabinet-Furniture-Restorer-Scratches/dp/B004C1OKGS
My 1940s cabinets need a bit of help around the door hardware, so my local paint guy custom mixed a stain for the cedar cabinets and it matched perfectly. Then I used some Spar varnish to seal them and buffed with 0000 steel wool.