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Paint Design Dilemma Kitchens

Chipping Kitchen Cabinets, Help Please

3 years ago

My kitchen cabinets are chipping and I have no idea what type of paint or finish it is. It reminds me more of nail polish than your typical paint. It doesn't peel off, but it comes off in little chips when you scrape at it. It's very thin and not 100% opaque. Any suggestions on what it is and how to remove it so I can repaint or stain them? Thanks so much!

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Comments (5)

PRO
User
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
It’s a toner. On ancient cabinets, well past their prime. A failing finish isn’t the basis for anything in top of it. Strip and redo. Or replace.
PRO
Beth H. :
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
that's the top coat. not a toner.

have no idea what type it is, but it will all need to be completely stripped and sanded off and refinished. It is old, and dried and was prob never meant to be used on wood cabinets.

Take a cotton ball and dip in alcohol. wipe it across. does it remove it or feel tacky or sticky? if so, it's Shellac. if not and it doesn't remove it, it's some type of poly

and don't even think of just sanding off the peeling parts and painting on top of all of that. It ALL has to come off or you'll be wasting your time.
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PRO
User
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Do you know what a toner is? It’s a tinted top coat. Used to even out woods graining. It’s a lower end cabinet process.
ashlynnsimmons
Original Author
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Thank you both for the help, it's greatly appreciated! First-time homeowner of an older home here, so I'm constantly finding new projects to work on :)
PRO
Beth H. :
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
yes, but that doesn't look like what was used here. I've had the exact same thing happen w/clear coats. just doesn't look like a toner since the color is very minimal between the two. you don't go through all the hassle of using a toner only to retain the same wood tone. It's usually done to go from light to dark. don't see that in these cabinets. almost looks like these may have been pickled.

whatever. the removal process is the same.

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