Have you talked with the cabinetmaker?

I'm trying to gather information before I talk with the builder who will then hopefully talk with the cabinet maker. I'm just sick about the marks on my new cabinets but don't know what my options are. Any insight would be appreciated.

Cabinet Magic does a great job removing those fingerprints.

Are the marks on the paint or in the paint?

The marks are permanently on the paint. They are like scuff marks that cannot be wiped away.

Talk with the builder. Communicate your concern. Allow him to solve the problem.

I met with the builder and the cabinetmaker. Both said it was inevitable that these marks happen and there was nothing they could do about them. Mind you, this is not my house yet and I didn't make the marks. However, one of the cabinetmakers chose to wipe part of a few of the cabinet doors with lacquer thinner (I think) hoping to smooth the finish out. It didn't work. Now parts of some of the cabinet doors have shiny marks. They did offer to take them back to the shop to fix them. I hope this works. Had I known when I decided to go with painted cabinets that the marks were inevitable, I may have opted for stain.

could you post pictures

Unfortunately, most of them show only in certain light so a camera can't capture them. But my eye sure can!

One expects that when you take possession of the home it's clean and nearly perfect. These sound like they don't have a very professional finish. That said they should at least be unblemished when you take possession.

It doesn't sound right to me that a builder and the cabinet maker would offer a finish which was so delicate that marking would be "inevitable" within days or weeks of initial installation. I would expect discussions and a sample of the finish showing the expected issues before asking a homeowner to commit.They ikely didn't follow the perfect project plan and probably skimped on dry time at some point then installed them anyway to stay on schedule.

Did you get a real sample, using the materials, processes and finishes from your job or just a generic "similar to this" sample?

I agree! Thank you.

Maybe they where delivered before they fully cured who knows with out seeing them in person.

Since it was a custom paint color, the cabinetmaker did produce a sample door with the custom color. The color was perfect but I know nothing about the curing process. After a couple of months, wouldn't the paint be cured by now? I do know now that there are nine cabinet doors that have gone back to their shop, including one that had large spots looking cracked and bubbly, like varnish remover was dabbed on it. I'm trying to find as many imperfections as I can before the house is turned over to us. Then I fear we'll be on our own. This is such a mystery. I have a feeling the cabinets won't last long in our forever house. I may have done better with ready-made ones!

Find out what product was used. No way it the correct if lacquer thinner took it off. Should be catalyzed, and lacquer thinner wouldn't affect it. Means it ALL has to be refinished. One of the BIG downsides to back yard ''custom''. Not nearly as durable as a factory finish.

@deborahaldma: How did this resolve for you? I am seeing the same problem in my brand new kitchen and its driving me crazy. Appreciate your help.

We have been in our new house now for about three months. It is only the two of us but I haven't seen any more marks or chips on the cabinets. I'm not an expert by any means but I think that one of the previous posters may be correct: it is possible that the paint on the cabinets was not fully cured before they were installed.

While going back to the builder and cabinet maker was not a pleasant experience, I encourage you to do the same. Your cabinets should be correct when you take posession. Good luck!