restoring kitchen cabinet finish

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I have a 17 year old home with oak kitchen cabinets and wood work that needs help. I assume that the finish is lacquer. I like the durability of polyurethane. I was planning on cleaning them with Simple Green and then using TSP(only if I have to–smell is terrible). Is this possible? If not, what would you recommend?

[HenryinMI]

I really don’t think that you can assume that your cabinets have a lacquer finish unless you know that was what your ordered or something. You might want to go to <a href="http://wickshttp://www.freeweb-hosting.com&#8221; target=”blank”>http://wicks<a href="http://www.freeweb-hosting.com&#8221; target=”blank”>www.freeweb-hosting.com and check out the information at Finishing 101 in the Hints and Tips section that is down a little and on the right side of the page. That takes you through the steps to determine what finish you have on your cabinets now.

Whatever the finish, you will have to remove any oil or grease that is on the present finish before you try to recoat it. One tip is that Dirtex is fairly similar to TSP in it’s cleaning ability but is easier on skin. I’ve never noticed much of an odor from either of them. You will also want to lightly sand or otherwise abrade the surface before you recoat.

Henry in MI

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