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Wood Cabinet - Treatment and Protection

November 01, 2013, 05:00:25 pm

Hi, I found an old thread regarding this, but the Zep Wood Doctor mentioned doesn't appear to be available in Canada. One fellow had great success using Watco Danish Oil, but didn't mention which finish/colour he chose.

Out cabinets look quite good, but it is time to thoroughly clean and protect them.


What are people using apart from Zep Wood Doctor, or which Watco..?


Thanls

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Re: Wood Cabinet - Treatment and Protection

Reply #1 – November 01, 2013, 05:58:19 pm

I've always used Scotts Liquid Gold. It hides scratches

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Re: Wood Cabinet - Treatment and Protection

Reply #2 – November 01, 2013, 08:17:49 pm

I build furniture and use Watco Danish Oil finishes all the time.  They are a catalyzed oil finish that soaks into unfinished wood and as it cures bonds to the wood fibers.  If you are going to use it over previously finished wood I would wipe everything down with mineral spirits to make sure there is any thing on the wood that would prevent the Watco from working.

Typically you would put on as much of it as you can without it running all over, let it set for about 30-45 minutes and then wipe on more.  After another half hour or so you wipe off everything that will come off.  Let it dry for at least 24 hours.  You can apply second and third coats.  Not much will soak in but you build up the coating a bit more.  On the second coat, after the first load is wiped on and sits for while, the second load is wiped on and the wet sanded with 600 grit wet or dry paper.  Not much but you will just feel the surface smooth out.  Wait another half hour and wipe it dry and let sit for 24 hours.  You can do the same again for the third coats.  After it has all dried for 72 hours you can top coat wear surfaces with a wipe on polyurethane satin varnish if you want.  Watco also makes satin waxes in light or dark.  These are a liquid wax that is wiped on, let it dry, buff out.  Use the light on light finishes.  On cherry or walnut I would use the dark wax.

This finish will cure up to a smooth hand rubbed look low sheen finish.  Dust regularly.  Wax once a year.

There are many different colors.  There is a natural color that will not change the color of the wood.  You can go all the way to red cherry or mahogany or a very dark black walnut.  You can mix them if you want.  A natural with some cherry  might work. 

Try it out on the inside of a closet door to see how it works and if you like the results before doing everything all at once.

This may be overkill unless you really want to refinish everything.

Roger

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Re: Wood Cabinet - Treatment and Protection

Reply #3 – November 01, 2013, 09:51:28 pm

Dave,

Howard Feed-n-Wax has worked well for me for me.  It is easy to apply, cleans and penetrates and has a nice aroma.  The combination of orange oil and beeswax is great for areas of wood that are dried out due to moisture like under the fridge, the window sills, or the handrails around the steps.  After just one application I was astonished how the finish really came back to life on my 20 year old coach.  It's not a stain, but will hide most of the scratches and will bring back the shine.  Home Depot has it.
Howard Feed-N-Wax 16 fl.-oz. Wood Polish and Conditioner-FW0016 at The Home

Jerry aka Murph

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Re: Wood Cabinet - Treatment and Protection

Reply #4 – November 01, 2013, 11:38:24 pm

I use Old English on the walnut and also on the parquet floors. Hides scratches and gives the wood a soft glow. Works well where water has come in below the driver and passenger's windows.

Pierce

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Re: Wood Cabinet - Treatment and Protection

Reply #5 – November 02, 2013, 12:14:39 am

I, too, use Old English, lemon oil, just for clean and polish. For scratches and blemish' I use. An Almond Stick. I want to avoid getting any build up of waxes or oil on the wood, tends to get rancid.

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Re: Wood Cabinet - Treatment and Protection

Reply #6 – November 02, 2013, 09:24:50 pm

Kathy uses an orange oil cleaner which cleans and protects.  Smells good too!  Have fun  ----  Fritz

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Re: Wood Cabinet - Treatment and Protection

Reply #7 – November 03, 2013, 08:22:44 am

Have the finish (Roger knows the routine) then I'm a fan of Parker & Bailey Furniture Cream with Lemon Oil. 
You may have to go on-line to purchase unless you have a good woodworking supply nearby.  pc

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