Try to use the color close to cabinets. If you use a darker color it will emphasize the scratches and seep into oak pattern.

There is a product antique dealers use which is far better than Restora Finish. Perhaps contact one to see what this is. Alternative in using Restore is a good one though.

As for odor, it will go away in a day or two. And I actually like the smell, makes me think repainting/repair has been going on. When selling my house, I actually used spray sealer behind closet doors (not much, just a swipe of spray) to give the house a new smell. This too goes away in a couple of hours, but with just a hint of new left.

Why not use the General Finish or Minwax Gel Stains those in Kitchens have used with amazing results? Didn't I read in a thread that RaF needs redoing after a short period of time?

I use Pledge Revitalizing Wood Oil on my 45 year old kitchen cabinets about every 6 months. It makes them shine and has a great, orangy smell. The best part, it only costs a few bucks for a large bottle!

Hey Amy,
I've actually used RAF on a lot of woods, but not oak. (Tho I have some that could use it.) The Antique Dealer that turned me onto it uses it on most everything that comes through his shop that doesn't require strip/refinish, including oak. (He carries nicer stuff, too.) He keeps a bottle of dark walnut RAF on hand, that's what he grabbed to show me on a drawer I hauled in there looking for advice. His preferred color.

I'd do a small test area, maybe an inner lower door toward the hinge where not readily visible. If it's too much, you'll notice right away, simply wipe it right back off. If you just want some spruce up pop, try the oak shade itself. (I'd steer clear of Mahogany and Cherry, too much cool red tint, could look funny on oak, which if it's red oak native wood hue is warmer red.) Honestly tho, I wouldn't be afraid to try one of the darker shades like walnut, cuz it's not really absorbing into the wood, any poly barrier will stop that. And it's not going to be like applying stain, it will amp up the color some, but not completely alter it. Be sure to follow up with beeswax, gives it a nice shine (or your favorite paste wax).

AFA ventilation, your gonna need it toots. I did a cherry hutch in the dead of winter. Had to have ventilation. In my kitchen, I opened a window and put a fan in it as exhaust, so it was pulling odor out rather than pulling subzero temps in. It was a little chilly, but it worked, and smell dissipated within a couple hours max. Don't inhale w/out ventilation, you'll get some kind of weird buzz and then what will we do with you?! ;D

Okay, thanks for all the tips everyone. I agree that using a darker color is risky. I do not want to "enhance" the grain, just make the wood shine.

I'll have to take a closer look and see how icky the finish really is. It would be great to just use the Pledge product. One step is what I had in mind. BP, those cabinets do look nice!

Moon, RAF plus paste wax is a bigger project than I want to take on. But, I suppose it would be a good alternative if the Pledge isn't enough. I saw your hutch in an old thread. You did a great job. If I do get a weird buzz, I'll be sure to post so you guys can laugh at me! ;-)

Allison, I assume General is a color stain like the gelstain. While I like the results I have seen, it is not appropriate for this particular kitchen -- target market and lighting are wrong.

Emagineer, IKWYM about that "new" smell. I have been wondering what smell I would use to sell this place since I don't live there. Basmati rice in the rice cooker sold the last one!

Amysrq, I used RAF on my kitchen and bath cabinets when I got our house ready to put on the market. I was really happy with the way they looked and it wasn't too much work. I got a quote to have the cabinets refinished (the same cheap cabinets I'd ripped out in my mind so many times on the kitchen forum) but the cost was crazy. The RAF did a good enough job.

I used it on my oak cabinets when we were putting the house on the market. I didn't want to spend the money to overhaul the kitchen. I think I used the RAF cherry. I wanted to tone down the yellow in the oak which became more orangy over time. I loved what RAF did for my cabinets and I did sell the house. It made the cabinets a richer, deeper color. They appeared brighter and cleaner. I loved the product. I used it on all my window/door trim (oak).

I didn't have a problem with the smell but you must watch for drips. Follow the directions and cover all your counters and sink with newspaper. Once it dries its hard to get off. I used a rag and put a few coats on. I washed all the cabinets first with dawn and warm water. You need to remove any wax or grease that might be on the cabinets.

I'll see if I have any before and after photos.

Here we go, hard to see because the lighting is different -
Before RAF

Jane

Jane, that's fabulous!

I have had really good luck with a Minwax stain pen (in a shade darker than your cabs) and a paper towel; stain/wipe rinse/repeat... But I think I'll try Jane's RAF on them next... I just want a shade or two darker ;-)

Jane or nan, please share your method of application, did you use cloth or steel wool, did you sand at all? In other words... dish! TIA

I don't want to be a pain, but the type of wood RAF is used on will give you different results. As will the age and condition. Oak is going to take on color in the grain. My original recommendation stays, use as close a color to the original. Try a hidden area before using RAF, sometimes results will not be what is expected due to RAF color which is very deep. I do use this on all my furniture at least once a month. It will dry in a few hours, recommend a couple of second wipings after first using.

Amy, cookies, a great smell of dinner (crock pot) and fresh bread work so well. There were times I bought cheap cinnemom rolls to have on hand and popped them in the oven at low when having a showing. Couldn't eat them, but smell was wonderful.