Wish I hadn't but I did...

[vicky whitworth]

When we had our extension built several years ago we had a new kitchen. I was a bit green then and wanted the job completed and bought a kitchen from a Devon company with solid carcasses and doors but not really what I wanted with hindsight. Anyway I'm stuck with it but the finish on the outside of the doors has been spoiled by water running off the worktops and down the fronts. I can't contact the company to ask what the finish was as I fell out with them about the shoddy way they fitted the kitchen. But I would like to improve the fronts without stripping off what is already there. I think it is some sort of wax finish. Any bright ideas about what I could do - apart from not letting water run down the fronts in future
Thanks, Vicky

 

[Baron de Gynes]

Photographs would help but... if you know a good, reputable, knowleageable carpenter/painter, they may be able to tell you what was on them in the first place and what you might do to improve the finish.

 

[plasticpigeon]

I take it they are left with a finish that shows the wood rather than painted.

 

[vicky whitworth]

Yes, it's an oak finish, not painted. It looked nice new but now is Ok from a distance but not so good close up.

 

[JoceAndChris]

I'm afraid with wood that if the drips are substantial it's a question of sanding back and refinishing with new stains, varnishes, oils or waxes - fine if you like this sort of work, or are happy to tackle it, otherwise a job for a professional.
If they were mine I'd give them a good clean with sugar soap and repaint in a nice FnB colour. It's a lot of work but you feel like you've got a new kitchen at the end of it all.

 

[Baron de Gynes]

...you feel like you've got a new kitchen at the end of it all.

Which to my mind is part of the joy of having a real-wood kitchen; when the doors and carcasses appear to have suffered the worst that domestic life can throw at them, a few tins of F&B eggshell will work wonders.

Would a few more costs of wax help to restore some of the shinish? The residual marks can then be passed off as patina.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

I second Joce's advice--- we too are stuck with a kitchen inherited from our Vendors, I simply re paint in a colour to suit and replace the handles every so often. With a good sand down and wash off you should be able to get back to a decent surface upon which to paint. Be careful with a varnish finish, it can turn rather yellow with age, so my suggestion is a good quality undercoat with 2 eggshell to finish. Use the best product you can--- . I f weather and energy levels permit, taking the doors outside and spray paint them in a soft chalky finish is another option.
Best of luck!

ps don't forget we all love pictures!!

 

[plasticpigeon]

If the wax has gone cloudy and white I would imagine it could be dissolved and rubbed with white spirit, or removed with wire wool and white spirit and rewaxed. If the wood has discoloured from the water then more drastic action will be needed such as sanding the surface and waxing. Or of course painting as advised above!!!!