Kitchen Cabinets

georgetown50 · 10-16-2013, 11:06 AM

We are having some issues with the kitchen cabinets. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. Is a bit of fading of the varnish and I've tried with doing some restaining. Is this normal wear and tear or caused by environmental issues? We live near the beach so I wonder if this might be due to being close to the beach.

Iggy · 10-16-2013, 01:53 PM

Looks like they need some sanding and re stain/varnished.
It must be that salt air in Florida.

alparmer · 10-16-2013, 04:35 PM

I used a product, a while back and cant remember, that you just rub on the wood and makes them nice again. It was kind of like a water downed stain that you rub, let it sit for a while, and then buff it with a soft cloth. It's an easy alternative to having to sand them and restain them.

OldCoot · 10-16-2013, 04:40 PM

Would make it a point to go to the 2014 rally in Goshen and have them replaced for free, based on what happened last year and this year.

Iggy · 10-16-2013, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Would make it a point to go to the 2014 rally in Goshen and have them replaced for free, based on what happened last year and this year.

I think he has a 2002 model. That can't be from a new model.

OldCoot · 10-16-2013, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iggy

I think he has a 2002 model. Not a new Georgetown

Based on what happened this year, that shouldn't have anything to do with it. I think the majority of the units worked on were out of warranty, some by several years.

bend302 · 10-17-2013, 09:00 AM

I have seen that identical problem in a condo on the beach in FL. Salt air for sure.

While Forest River will do all they can to fix problems at the rally, they likely would not have matching doors, etc. available and might not be able to help that problem.

Bill

georgetown50 · 10-21-2013, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bend302

I have seen that identical problem in a condo on the beach in FL. Salt air for sure.

While Forest River will do all they can to fix problems at the rally, they likely would not have matching doors, etc. available and might not be able to help that problem.

Bill

I live in California near the beach so perhaps it's the salt air in California. It is what I've suspected but wasn't sure if it was a normal problem with living this close.

My RV is a 2007 model, not a 2002 as someone else mentioned. I've had it since new. Since posting this I did sand it down and re-stained and varnished it. It looks much better. I was hoping to do something easier but since it was in the kitchen, I did want to extra protection of a varnish.

RANGERBOB · 10-22-2013, 08:14 PM

You might experiment with Danish Oil.

The RB · 10-23-2013, 12:16 AM

I'm a 18 year cabinet maker and wood worker. That is classic water / moisture / humidity damage. The wood used in your cabinet doors shrink and expand with the seasons, temperature, humidity and in your case, salt air. Repeated cycles of this movement has cracked the top-coating on the wood and subsequently flaked off. Is the worst of the doors under your sink? Moisture from washing and cleaning with certain chemicals can also quicken the degradation.

Unfortunately, the damage is done, and there is no perfect solution to fixing it. Anything you put on it now has the possibility to make it look worse. Completely sanding and re-staining might be your best bet. Although if I were you, I'd take one of your doors off the cabinet, and take it to a Sherwin Williams store, or the like, and ask for some stain or color sealer that might look like an acceptable repair to you. Who knows, they may be able to recommend a local person who does this type of restoration.

For those of you who want to protect your cabinetry:

With RV's with all the moisture variables in which we camp, ( seasons, proximity to oceans, bodies of water, showers, cooking, dripping water, pets, must I go on) it would be a good idea to occasionally apply a conditioner such as this :

https://www.formbys.com/products/lemon_oil/

This is my favorite product. I find it works best to apply it to a microfiber rag, and gently wipe on sparingly. Old and dry woodwork could require a second coat. Be careful, as some surfaces in RV's are not real wood. Test in inconspicuous areas.

Good luck, let me know your thoughts, and outcome.

Ryan

wrapperman · 10-25-2013, 10:30 PM

Hey Georgetown50 I have used a product call restorafinish. It works great on real wood. May work for this. Just make sure it is real wood. It is like watered down stain and seems to last about a year or so.

RamblerGuy · 10-26-2013, 05:23 AM

Great post, RB! Thanks for the expert advice. We don't have a problem like the original poster, but I will treat our cabinets as you recommend.

The RB · 10-26-2013, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamblerGuy

Great post, RB! Thanks for the expert advice. We don't have a problem like the original poster, but I will treat our cabinets as you recommend.

Thanks !

F and E Damp · 10-27-2013, 02:23 PM

If your GT is similar to our older model, only the cabinet doors are real oak. The visible framework is hemlock or similar softwood with "woodtape" veneer (or something similar) stuck over. The veneer is very thin (maybe 0.010") so it's likely that any spirit based compound will dissolve it away.

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