need Help with Stained cabinet

11 years ago

my contractor has been working on staining my built in Pine cabinet for weeks. it continues to turn out blackish almost looks like smoke damaged or that my 3yr. old attempted to do it. my contractor now seems annoyed and just wants to leave it as is. with no suggestions to correct except" paint it white" which Is NOT an option with 2 small kids. HELP I need advice/ suggestions on what is causing it to turn out like this and what can be done to correct

Featured Answer

PRO

Al Fortunato Furnituremaker

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

The only correct way to do this is strip off all the current finishes. Sand to about 220 grit using every grit of sandpaper starting with 100 then progressing thru 120,150,180,220. Removing the previous scratches with each successive step. Seal (condition) might take more than one coat, test using a drawer front. Brushing on some premade sealer doesn't mean success with the stain. It's a trial and error (mostly errors to this point) process when so much has already been done to it. Stain, finish.

If you or your contractor don't want to go through all this, paint it. You can't keep putting patches over patches. You and your contractor are wasting time, do it right. He obviously isn't experienced in doing this sort of thing. There is a big difference between a painter and finisher. It requires knowledge of different woods, finishing materials, and experience.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (15)

apple_pie_order
11 years ago
What color were you aiming for? Is this an older piece that was built in and already finished?

Try some more photos in broad daylight with the lights on. Include some white paper for color balance.
marilynellis
11 years ago
It's probably got so many layers of varnish and stain on it that it's impossible to restain. You could try stripping it but it probably would not take stain evenly. If you must keep it then base coat it and paint it a solid color. It doesn't have to be white. Is this in a kids room? Paint it a fun color. If not! Black or brown.
Related Professionals
Abilene Interior Designers & Decorators · Waco Interior Designers & Decorators · Murfreesboro Architects & Building Designers · Lufkin Architects & Building Designers · Brainerd Architects & Building Designers · Hackettstown Architects & Building Designers · Saint Marys Architects & Building Designers · Evanston Architects & Building Designers · West Palm Beach Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Elizabethtown Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Springfield Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Elmira Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Pittsburgh Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Brattleboro Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Santa Rosa Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
Jean Benelli
11 years ago
Did he use a pre-stain wood conditioner before the stain? The pre-stain prepares the wood for stain and prevents uneven absorption of the stain. If he did then my only other suggestion is to paint it a dark color to hide messy fingerprints.
C'sPeas N Pod
Original Author
11 years ago
it is in my Den. It is built in. My house is from the 1960's and I am assuming it was built in with the house's construction. He has supposedly conditioned it. Its hard to tell with lighting on my phone but it looks SO BAD. Here is a picture of before he was to re-finish it
C'sPeas N Pod
Original Author
11 years ago
I will try & get a better picture in Bright Light
apple_pie_order
11 years ago
Thanks for info. What color did you want?
C'sPeas N Pod
Original Author
11 years ago
look in my "remodeled Idea book" and the 2nd picture of kitchen cabinets is what the color is Supposed to be similar to.
apple_pie_order
11 years ago
I can't add anything to Al's comments on refinishing. If you do choose to paint, try using the wall color in a semi-gloss enamel instead of plain white. It will show less wear and tear than white.
C'sPeas N Pod
Original Author
11 years ago
Al- he has completely sanded it down Saturday after screwing it up (just like this) the first Time. And For some reason he has NOW done it AGAIN. I do not know if this is all his fault and he is choosing the wrong stain, or if its the Wood causing this.(it is PINE) We do not know what can be done to FIX IT or if we Even want him to attempt again. But im unsatisfied with it b/c it looks Horrible. It looks like Smoke Damage from a FIRE. NOT like a re-finished piece of Built in Should. I will try to get a better picture in LIGHT today
PRO
Al Fortunato Furnituremaker
11 years ago
Pine is difficult to stain. It's gets blotchy unless it is prepped (sanded, sealed) correctly. How the stain is applied is also a big factor. The proper sanding is more important than the sealer on pine. He should be sanding to at least 220 grit, as described above, or maybe even 280. Quality sandpaper is also a must. I really think he is not experienced enough to be doing the work on pine.
C'sPeas N Pod
Original Author
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Al- what do I do at this point then?
He talks like he can't do much more b/c the sanding will tear down the wood ect
PRO
Al Fortunato Furnituremaker
11 years ago
He's right, you can't just keep sanding and sanding. Find a wood finisher in your area and talk to them. The doors and drawers should be taken to their shop. The face frame will have to be done on-site. You need a real professional to correct this mess.
C'sPeas N Pod
Original Author
11 years ago
ok,
User
11 years ago
Staining pine is uusally a blotchy disaster. Just clear coat it. Not everything has to match. It's more interesting visually when it doesn't.