Problem with cabinet finish

16 years ago

I used a local cabinet maker to build my cabinets. My cabinets were just installed (about 2 weeks ago). They are cherry wood with a bordeaux finish. I used a dry cloth to wipe off all the dust and they looked beautiful. When I looked at them the next day(Sunday), I noticed a light white fog developing on the door and drawer fronts. By Monday, the fog was more noticeable and appeared to spread. I called the cabinet maker and he came over immediately. He said he never saw this on his cabinets before(he's been building cabinets for over 10 years and I did look at his finished work). He wiped down the cabinets and the fog disappeared. After a few hours it started to appear again. I called him again and he said to wait a few days to see what happens. I waited and the fog didn't go away. I wiped the cabinets down again and they looked great. By the next morning the fog appeared again but much less than before. It's been a few days since I wiped them down and so far the fog doesn't seem like it spread much further. The cabinet maker is coming by today to look at cabinets. He said he will do whatever it takes to fix this- even redo the doors and drawers. I'm baffled as to what is going on.

Has anyone ever had this problem? What can be causing this? Can it be fixed?

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Comments (5)

cribbs
16 years ago
The most likely cause is from moisture- He probably sprayed the doors on a humid day and the top dried faster than the bottom and thus trapped some moisture in it. Hopefully it is in the top coat and thus he can try two things. Spraying a coat of lacquer thinner or another coat of top coat. This will soften the outer layer and let the moisture release. If this doesn't work then he could sand down through the coat and just put on another.

I think the technical term is blush. Glad you have a cabinet maker that will make things right.

Travis Alfrey
Travis Alfrey Woodworking
kodak2
Original Author
16 years ago
cribbs- Thank you for the information. Actually, that could be the problem because it's been raining a lot and it's been quite humid here in NY for the past few weeks. If this is the problem, does it damage the wood? Will this keep happening?
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cribbs
16 years ago
no it will not cause any damage- when I say moisture it is very, very little and actually can be solvent instead of water. It only affects the look of the finish. In time it will fully cure and should not be noticable but I would have your guy take a door and try a few remedies.
boxerpups
16 years ago
Ummm I am thinking.... I wonder if you could hook up
a humidifier? Wait, Do I mean dehumidifier? Sorry it
is early and I need more coffee.

A machine that takes out moisture from a room.
My husband has some giant dehumidifier in our basement.
That takes out all moisture from our basment. Especially
in summer on raining days. It is an amazing tool and I will
say when we lived down south we had one hooked up to the
entire home and it was a dream.

I wonder if making the kitchen super dry will help cure
the paint/stain and help keep that "blush" or fog away.
The cabinets can dry properly. And with the rain we have
had in New England, I imagine everything is soaking.

Just a thought and hoping this gets fixed for you. Good
luck and show pictures when you get a chance. I am certain
you are not the first who has had this "Blush" happen.

~boxerpups
kodak2
Original Author
16 years ago
The cabinet maker picked up my cabinet doors and drawers yesterday. He said he's going to sand them down and apply a new coat. Hopefully this works.