Wood Casework Refinishing Spec

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Author Message Stephen Wilson Senior Member Username: swilson Post Number: 24 Registered: 02-2019 Posted on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 - 11:59 am:    Hi everyone, I'm working on a project where we are renovating some college chemistry labs that have existing wood lab casework. The bodies of the casework are in good shape, but the door and drawer fronts have taken a lot of abuse and water damage. In addition, a major goal of this project is modernizing the lab appearance. The existing cabinets have an amber, plain sliced, red oak finish, which gives a very dated appearance. Have any of you done a spec for refinishing cabinets like this? We are assuming we will replace the door and drawer fronts, but the cabinet bodies still need updating. I know theoretically new veneer can be applied over the existing cabinet bodies but that is something I've never done on a project before. Thanks for any advice you can provide! Ronald J. Ray, RA, CCS, CCCA, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: rjray Post Number: 213 Registered: 04-2004 Posted on Friday, October 14, 2022 - 08:37 pm:    Laboratory wood casework is typically factory finished using a chemical resistant finish system complying with the Scientific Equipment and Furniture Association (SEFA) standards. I do not know if the factory finishing materials are available for field finishing. I suggest you contact the manufacturer of the casework or any SEFA manufacturing member. James Sandoz, AIA, CSI, CCS Senior Member Username: jsandoz Post Number: 359 Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Monday, October 17, 2022 - 09:11 am:    Ronald is referring to a catalyzed conversion varnish and it cannot be applied in the field. Stephen, your idea of replacing the door and drawer fronts and refinishing the cabinet bodies (perhaps with a polyurethane) may be the best bet. No matter the existing finish, preparation for refinishing will be critical.