Just wanted to update everyone, we had the Sherwin Williams sales rep out to the house. He looked at the cabinets and said, "That is just the way birch takes stain." I asked if they have a disclaimer to let people know that new ebony won't turn out like the sample on birch. He said no, that is just the characteristic of birch. I showed him pictures of other birch cabinets from several other homes I have gone to see that have turned out beautifully (without the splotchiness and unevenness that our cabinets have.) He just shrugged. I asked if another coat would have made a difference. He told me no. He said the painter did nothing wrong with the application. (I am sure that Sherwin Williams does not want to lose business from the painter.) So, we can pay to fix our brand new cabinets, or the builder will return our deposit if we sign a non-disclosure and leave the new home that is on the lot we always wanted :( I am still in shock. I am ready for this nightmare to end.

If you pay to fix them, what are they going to do to them to 'fix' them since they are all saying that it is the nature of the wood?

A tinted lacquer or lacquer paint are my options, since they have already been sealed and lacquered.

wow im so sorry I cant believe that he didn't mention the conditioner needed before applying the stain they sell it in the store for gods sake this guy doesn't know what he is talking about. A shrug says it all he doesn't know anything about wood. where are you located?

Omaha, Nebraska

Well at this point you could add a tinted lacquer but I wouldn't you wont get the look you want just have them painted with a lacquer paint.

This is the regional Sherwin Williams sales representative? Or the representative from the supply store where you purchased the stain?

It sounds like a CYA. I agree, that the representative has more to lose by taking your side as opposed to ruffling the feathers of the home builder.

What is the representatives name and direct email.

I'm curious how much influence us Houzzers have.

I'm willing to shoot out a email

I will show these pics to my local rep and see what she says

Thank you, Yarbro and Rockin' Fine Finish! I am going to try and call the SW national line tomorrow and see if I can talk to someone there. I'll get the info, title and email for the rep I talked to, tomorrow. It's so nice to have support of other Houzzers! I truly appreciate the fact that you have taken the time to comment and give me advice!

I spoke to a customer service representative at Sherwin Williams today. They gave me the name and number of the district manager for my area. The district manager is going to meet me at the house tomorrow morning. He has asked the painter to meet us there. The painter has said he will do his best to be there too. (Both the district manager and I agreed it's best if he is). I will post an update after we meet. Wish me luck!

So, who actually was it that you met with previously? His official title?

On Monday I met with Michael (Mike) Sweeney. He is a Sherwin Williams Field Representative.

I'm shocked about the entire situation with you and your builder. I wouldnt waste more energy talking to Sherwin Williams. You could probably get someone to remove and restain for $3000.

she shouldn't have to pay another $3,000 to restain. It was the mistake of the so called pro that stained it.

notice (The painter has said he will do his best to be there too.) that means he probably has no intention of being there. If he did, he would have said, (Yes, I will be there) He is a painter, not a wood stainer, there is a difference. If he was a wood worker and stainer, he would have known right off the bat, to apply a blotch control formula first. I'm not even a pro, and I did research before I started my project and learned about the blotch control before staining my Cherry kitchen cabinets. Hope this is resolved to your satisfaction. The fact that they don't care if they refund your money and lose a house buyer is a bad sign.

A sure fix would be to paint with expresso fine paints of Europe brilliant.

What would it cost to have new cabs brought in that will take the stain in the way that you want? Compare that to the "hope they can fix it" nightmare. If you have the budget (and you can get the builder to meet you half way), then I would say scrap these cabs and find a whole new unit that will accept the stain you want. You may have to put up with a heavier grain - like oak - but you will get the predictable stain you are looking for.

It will probably take another few weeks, but it will get you out of the nightmare and back into "normal" happy that all home builders experience = a few weeks behind and a few dollars over budget is considered "normal" for a build.

Cancork makes a good point refinishing those cabinets is not a good idea get new cabs to stain or paint the current island

You shouldn't have to settle for something you didn't want because of poor finishing. I would try to get the contractor to replace the cabinet unfinished and then find a finisher on your own capable of doing what you want. Since it is an island have it done in a controlled shop environment. Or just have a cabinet shop do it all and have the contractor pay for it. You shouldn't have to settle for a course grained wood (oak) just because your contractor's painter doesn't know how to finish birch.

Remember to have complete samples done no matter what approach you take. Have a step board made showing each step of the finishing process. If new cabinets; bare wood, sanded wood, sealed wood, stained wood, 1st coat of finish, 2nd coat of finish, all on one board, with notes. If you and the finisher agree to the process and the results, both sign the back and go for it.

Excellent advice with the "Step Board" = quality control! If they missed a step, your step board will tell you where.

The quote I have received to fix all of the stained cabinetry in the house with a tinted lacquer or lacquer paint is nearly $6000. Even if the the issue is not with the stain, I would hope that the Sherwin Williams reps could give me an honest, professional opinion about what went wrong. I understand that Sherwin Williams is worried about losing the painter's business, but I'm hoping the meeting will help us know what went wrong anyway.

No matter what is wrong with the the stain, everyone (except those on the builder's payroll) I have talked to agrees that the home builder should be working to help us fix the situation. Sadly, they are not. I'm hoping the Sherwin Williams rep can provide some answers.

Met with with the Sherwin Williams District Representative and Field Representative at the house. The painter did not show up.

The district rep agreed that about 80% the stain on the cabinetry does not match the stain sample, but would not say why he thought that was. They offered to pay the $250 cost of the tinted lacquer or paint to fix it. This leaves $5,700 for labor and other materials as "our responsibility."

I would dig in my feet and have the builder and painter carry the costs to fix it

I really don't think it is Sherwin-Williams problem. It is an application problem and at this point I don't think you will ever get the contractor and his painter to agree to anything unless you apply some pressure. That said, I don't know what your options are. Maybe a consult with an attorney is in order. If the remedy comes out of your pocket, I certainly wouldn't have these guys do it.

I quite like it, as it looks to me like re-claimed wood, in its mis-matchedness. Hope you get a satisfactory resolution!

I feel your frustration and disappointment, south188ave - you'd think that, at the very least, Sherwin Williams would cooperate - there are a LOT of people follow Houzz these days, and it would behoove them to help you here.

I believe you mentioned that these we're built offsite by a cabinet maker. Have you spoken to him? My cabinetmaker has a great understanding of wood and does his own paint/staining/lacquering in his paint shop and delivers the finished product. Perhaps yours also has a expert knowledge of the finishing required for the cabinets he built and could even help in your situation? Can he come out for a look? Do you have more cabinets in this 'condition' or is it just the island? I hope it's just the island.... :-(

The island is the worst of it, but there are more like this. The cabinet maker came out and looked on Monday at my request. He said he didn't know. He told me that they are still using the same supplier, they never use paint grade birch..,etc. Basically he said he's "not sure what happened, but it wasn't the material."

Would you consider painting the cabinets? I had an issue with a hickory vanity with such variability in the wood tone that no amount of the darkest stain looked at all decent. I wound up painting the vanity to cover the wood. Your cabinets might look very nice in gray or cream or white.

I think that is a good idea, sbrustein. I have thought about painting the island white or gray. The designer suggested a dark gray/charcoal color for the island and using the tinted lacquer on the rest. But, she suggests staying with the tinted lacquer if it will work and turn out the right color. I would even consider painting all of the cabinets white, but in the end I think it will be too light with the light colored wood flooring that is going in soon.

South- painting everything might be your cheapest and best option. If you think the white cabinetry won't offer enough contrast with light wood floors, consider a countertop on the darker side for contrast. You can then paint the sland a charcoal color and use a lighter counter top. It might look really spectacular. The cabinets have nice lines, but.I agree that the splotchiness is pretty awful.

Don't walk away now....this house sounds like it is your dream home. The pictures I saw of the kitchen look beautiful ...I know you are disappointed in the stain of the island. In my very humble opinion I think painting it will be the most economical route. When the kitchen is all put together and accessorized it will be " stunning"

Good luck with what every you decide.

Instead of changing your original color scheme, with your pretty choice of New Ebony stain for the island... why not have sherwin Williams mix paint to match that stain, instead of changing to white or gray? I think that would be beautiful!

Hi there,

I hope you were able to resolve your dilemma. I have had my ups and downs regarding cabinetry and staining. Birch is difficult to stain, as are many hard woods. The other snag was not staining them off site. The curing time between each of the correct steps to making those cabinets a beautiful dark stain, is ample. Your designer picked a beautiful stain. The application process was were this went off the rails.

Fortunately, totally a fixable product. Not on the cheap, tho'.They need to be brought back to accept more stain. Gel, or even Tar-thick stains which are available. They go on thick and can be layered to create the right amount of depth and tone. They are not as thick as paint. There are many manufacturers who specialize in finishes of this sort.

Also, that color of stain is put on 2 to 3 coats before your Clear Coat. Clear Coat could be another 2 -3 coats. This process is really important to the finished product.

Painters focus on paint. Finishers, stain and specialty finishes. It's best to keep those work specialties separate. Some cabinet makers will also do staining, but it is not that common.

I once had to fix a painters attempt to stain a staircase. Big mistake, they didn't know you had to wipe the stain off . Lines, splotches and insane amount of unevenness prevailed. I had them sand it all back down, and I stained it correctly. It turned out beautiful. Thankfully.

Good luck! :)

WOW and OMG. I was directed to this thread after asking a dilemma question regarding stain. I am in Texas and YES, finishing cabs in the home seems to be the norm here. I am even more wary now but it is too late to change horses. At least with the advise noted here, perhaps I can prevent problems. However, the finishers here do their work in home after unfinished cabs are installed and I am stuck with that for sure. All 4 cabinet makers I considered have finishers they suggest, but none sell a finished product. Hope this lady finds a solution to her problem that includes keeping her dream house. Houzzers Rock.

First thing, read your contract very carefully or get to a good attorney to review it, you maybe covered there.

Some options:
Contact your architect.
Contact you local TV station, they sometimes have trouble shooter segments, bad publicity.
If you are in a development I would also contact that developer.

Who recommended the builder to you? Has your designer worked with him before?
If this is you dream house, it should be done the way you want it.

In Australia we have legal rights with situations such as what you are going through. I had a look and you seem to have something similar. Be should to keep notes and dates of phone conversations and any emails you have with relation to this. Best of luck
http://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/what-we-do

Started to say one thing and now my grammar if off...Be sure..rather than..Be should :)

Really, falls on the person whom said they can do the finish on your cabinets, then didn't finish them. Look to the contract and the warranty perio, for what will be covered. A lawyer specializing in these matters can steer you in the right direction. Good luck! :-)

After re-reading these posts again. I say sue! They are in breach of contract. They should fix them on their dime. It'll be worth the fight. For 5-8 K they should be able to fix those right.

Southave, what have you decided? How is it coming?

South188ave, this is a very personal question, and I completely understand if you feel uncomfortable answering, but what is this piece of property worth ( land & structure )

South188ave - I am in the Omaha Ne area and building a house right now. I am having the EXACT issue with my cabinets that look horrible :( The builder is saying all of the same things your builder said but they won’t even agree to going over the cabinets with a tinted lacquer. How did you end up resolving the issue? Who was your builder?

Hi Chaelly. Also in Omaha with the exact issue. Any advise? Perhaps we have the same builder?

Hi Ann! Our builder is Trademark/Ideal Homes. I am happy to chat with you about our building issues.

I will try hoping to get the same result as you

south188,,,,did you ever get this resolved? curious as to what happened

If you kept it, what did you do?

I'm sorry you're disappointed, but I love them