I have several cherry cabinets that after 10 plus years of use, minor scrapes and dings, could stand to be refinished. Suggestions from the group as the best way to determine what the original finish was (varnish, lacquer, oil, etc.) and then based on that recommendation a wipe on finish. The cabinets are in good enough shape that I would prefer not to completely remove what was originally down but to lightly scuff sand and them apply a wipe on finish. Much thanks for any feedback.
Chris
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To test for what the finish is you can start with alcohol. This will soften shellac, but nothing else. Then move to lacquer thinner. Lacquer (and likely shellac) will be softened. For commercial manufactured cabinets from 10 years ago lacquer is the most likely. Lacquer thinner could also soften waterborne finishes, though 10 years ago the use was not nearly as widespread as now. If neither of these softens the finish it is either varnish (if craftsman made, or a two part finish such as conversion varnish if factory finished.) Varnish can be stripped with methylene chloride based strippers. Conversion varnish likely has to be mechanically removed by sanding--taking any patina with it.
Cherry generally looks so much better after 10 years of aging that to me it would take a lot of dings for me to want to refinish it so I agree with you on that point.
You can use a wipe-on varnish over any of the finishes. First clean with a mild soap and water to remove water soluable dirt. Then clean with naptha, being sure to use lots of paper towels so that any oil or grease is removed, not just smeared around. Then you can scuff sand with 320 grit to provide some tooth for the varnish. Waterlox Satin or Gloss would work well, or you can thin other varnishes such as Behlen's Rockhard. Don't use ordinary polyurethane varnishes since they are more prone to have adhesion problems over finishes not known for certain. For that matter, they have a bit of a hard time sticking to themselves.
Steve,
Thank you for the info I'll get started this weekend.
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