White Laquer Kitchen Cabinets Need Help!

[Tarhead]

My 10 y/o kitchen cabinet doors have a sprayed on white laquer finish which has cracked/crazed and in some places has started flaking off. This started about 7 years ago and we had them refinished by the cabinet shop who fabricated them. The problem returned and that shop has closed up. My lovely and talented wife had a brainstorm that we should repaint them and apply an "Antiquing" finish. My memory goes back to the early '70's and my mother doing this to some furniture :tongue2: . Needless to say, I want this to turn out better than that. How do I prevent the cracks and peeling from returning? Type of prep and paint? Brush vs roller vs spray?
Can anyone offer any advice on how to approach this please?
Thanks!
Mark

 

[woodguy1975]

The problem is your cabinet shop didn't use a vinyl sealer. That is required for lacquer in high humidty areas like a kitchen. Without it wood expands and contracts and the finishe can't move.

Gotta have that vinyl sealer.

 

[michaelgarner]

Thats good info John,,good looking out.

 

[Tarhead]

Thanks for your comment. Should I sand the doors down to bare wood and start over or is there something I can seal the laquer coat?

 

[jmauldin]

You will need to sand them down so as not to feel or see any of the cracks. It's not necessary to strip, as you can spray lacq over lacq. By the way, you really can't brush lacq, although you can brush on Deft if it is a small area. You really need to spray it on.
Jim in Mayberry

 

[Tarhead]

Thanks Jim!
Would I not be asking for the same problems in a few years with lacquer? I think that is what they did the last time. How about other paints? If I do go with lacquer could I put a glaze finish (new term for Antiquing) on top of it?
This is starting to sound like justification for an HVLP sprayer set-up and/or a new door bit set.:lol:
Thanks!
Mark

 

[jeff...]

I'm with everyone else, seal it up before you lacquer...

 

[FIVEBYFIVE]

I agree with everyone, need to seal it. Also, this would be a great time to get a sprayer and door bit set. Possibly a new belt sander????:icon_thum

 

[NCPete]

replace the whole thing!!! think of all the new tools you can get!