Cabinet Doors Varnish Coating Damage

Refinishing Over Damage

• Scratches and other simple damage are fixed by applying a new layer of varnish onto your cabinet doors. This new varnish fills in the mark and creates additional protection while smoothing out the flaw. This basic solution works for many types of light damage.

Surface Preparation Issues

• If the surface is heavily damaged and the mark goes into the wood, you must remove the first coat of varnish entirely with a solvent. Sand out the mark until it is gone and reapply the varnish. If the mark is light, you may not need to remove the first layer of varnish unless you want to give the cabinets a different shade.

Improper Application

• Improper application also causes varnish damage. Bubbles can form in the varnish if you stir or knock air into the varnish when applying it. These bubbles dry as flaws in the varnish and mar the cabinet surface. Light sanding may remove some of these flaws. If the bubbles are trapped, you may need to remove the old coat and add a new one.

Adhesion Issues

• The varnish must properly adhere to the cabinet doors for it to work. Peeling, crusting and dripping are signs that the varnish was applied in coats that were too thickly against a surface and is not adhering to the surface. Look at the instructions for your particular varnish and clean your cabinet thoroughly before application. Some varnish types cannot be applied over other paint or stain coatings.