Replies

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Mar 23, 2008 10:36pm | #1

   There wouldn't likely be a urethane finish on commercial cabinets, but there is a top coat you can be sure, most likely a catalyzed lacquer or conversion varnish (if they are fairly new) 

   What you would add over the existing finish, after thoroughly washing, both with TSP or soap and water, and with Naptha, and then lightly but thoroughly scuff sanding, would be a glaze or toner.  Commercial finishes quite often use toner, but it is best sprayed since it is hard to get it even when applying by brush (think of Polyshades as the extreme version of this problem.)  Very lightly tinted finish material is fairly do-able, however.  But going to a dark color is really a challenge with brushed on toner, requiring many coats, and also pretty much obscuring the wood grain.  (Think of Bombay furniture--as if there were any wood to obscure.) 

   You could strip the cabinets completely down to bare wood.  Then you could dye and stain the wood to achieve a dark color, before adding a clear top coat. 

   Another solution for a major change would be to make, or buy, new doors, and just veneer the faceframes with the same wood so they can all be stained alike.   

2. 
   blewcrowe | Mar 24, 2008 05:00pm | #2

   Yeah, your best bet is probably a glaze. You can make these from paints or by mixing artists' oils with your varnish or poly finish. Just be prepared to be persistent, as brushing these things on and getting them "even looking" is a bit of a chore. I've done it before a few times. It's very doable. Just keep working at it with a light touch (and a couple brushes: one almost dry) and keep stepping back from your work to give it a broad assessment, to make certain your uniformity is consistent.