Replies

1. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Oct 28, 2002 04:26am | #1

   One of the great things about the gel varnish is that each coat is substantially thinner than a coat of conventional varnish applied with a brush or a gun.    The thinner finish means that the wood is better seen and felt than if is it covered with a thick layer of plastic.   For woodwork that is to be touched and handled, gel varnish is my favorite finish.  However, the drawback is that the thinner finish provides less resistance to water, grease, and abrasion.    I've stopped using it in places like dining tables and kitchen cabinets.

   I strongly suggest you make some samples with gel varnish and test them with the water, stains, and oil that exist in a kitchen.  If the samples survive your tests, go for it.

1. 
   Novice | Oct 28, 2002 05:55am | #2

   Jamie,

   Thanks for your reply.  I talked to someone at Bartley, I was told that if I want to use it on kitchen cabinets, when the coating looks worn out, I can just apply more varnish to it.  I have never tried to finish any kitchen cabinet before with any material.  I have used Bartley gel to refinish furniture like small end tables and chairs and recently to some interior doors in a fixer house that I recently moved in.   And the process seems to be so easy for me.  I'm afraid if I were to use some other products, things won't come out evenly.

   If I don't use the gel, what would be the next best thing?  I read that some expensive kitchen cabinet makers apply a "hand rub" finish to their products.  Do you know what they use?

   THANKS so much for your help!

1. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Oct 28, 2002 08:02pm | #3

   Novice --

      Your best course depends on your objective.  If the objective is to have nice kitchen cabinets, you're probably better off buying the cabinets finished.   You decided that it was more cost-effective or schedule-effective to get the cabinets built; the same argument holds true for the varnishing step.  However, if your objective is to have nice cabinets AND to learn more about woodworking, you should look for books or articles about finishing.   Taunton Press publishes a couple good books about wood finishing that will tell you much more about finishing than a forum ever could.   In addition to reading a book, you should also practice varnishing before you tackle the kitchen.   Practice on boards or plywood or whatever.   You can also test your practice boards with the kinds of abuse that will happen in a kitchen, and use that knowledge to select the finish that best meets your needs.

1. 
   Novice | Oct 29, 2002 07:50am | #4

   I recently bought "Great wood finishes" and "hand-applied finishes" but, unfortunately, I haven't had the time to digest them all.  I got a couple of sample cherry cabinet doors that I picked up from a local warehouse and intend to practice on them.  THANKS for your help!

1. 
   GeeSeaWhy | Oct 29, 2002 08:58pm | #5

   Finish your test pieces and attach them over the existing cabinet doors (double sided tape maybe?). Pick a location near/over the stove for grease, near the sink for water. See how they hold up.

   Just a suggestion.

   Graeme

2. 
   Novice | Oct 29, 2002 11:46pm | #6

   Thanks for the suggestion.  I don't have a kitchen at the moment.  Just a small electric burner and the bathroom sink.  But I'll do a test piece and take it to my sister's house.