Hi everyone,
We have a problem with a kitchen we installed in 2012. The finish is starting to peel off (not sure if that's the best way to describe it..) Please see photos attached.
As we don't do finishing in-house, I don't have much knowledge in this area. I will of courses get in touch with the company who did the finish but I just wanted to see if any of you had a similar experience?
It's a polyurethane finish. it's not only where there is heat or water....
Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks
From contributor ri
Doesn't appear to be much film thickness. Are you sure it was polyurethane? If so, they sure didn't put much on it. I suspect some type of incompatible cleaning product used on top of a thin finish is your trouble.
From contributor Up
The customers only uses a damp cloth to clean it.. Im also suspecting that they did'nt put polyurethane but instead went with a much cheaper product...
Thanks for your response.
From contributor Pa
Check with the company that did the finishing to see if they can tell you the exact product they used. Polyurethane may be waterborne, oil-based, or a catalyzed finish.
It's very possible the sunlight fro the window is the source of the problem. Sunlight damages finishes and the surface of the wood which leads to problems like this.
From contributor Up
Paul,
Thanks for your input. I'm pretty sure it's a 2K polyurethane...Still, if the sunlight did this in 3 years.Ouch...
I guess UV protection would not have helped either if there was any?
So far, I'm going a bit in the direction that Rich pointed out.That they used something cheaper like a pre catalysed lacquer.
From contributor Pa
Is that one panel by the stove the only one that has the finish is delaminating? If so, the problem may be sunlight or heat from the stove. If it's not the only one, then sunlight may be the problem if they are all exposed to direct sunlight.
Whenever wood is exposed to direct sunlight, using a UV film on the window will help slow the damage considerably. UV additives in the finish help as well.
If the affected panels are more random, not in direct light or by a source of heat or high humidity, then the finish may have been catalyzed improperly, the wood may be oily, or an incompatible sealer may have been used. 3 years is a very short service life for interior conditions....
From contributor Up
Thanks again Paul.
It is short! I'm waiting for them to get back to me with what they think the problem is and how they plan on fixing it...
Doors and drawers are not a big deal as they're easy to take off but end panels are another thing...
From contributor Je
Do a lacquer thinner rub on the back of one of the doors. If it comes off in 3 or 4 rubs, it's a lacquer products. Urethane will withstand many rubs. Or you can use acetone.
From contributor Ja
Being right next to the stove, I suspect some kind of oven cleaner, stainless steel cleaner/polish was involved. I make sure to instruct clients to apply products like that to a rag first, so over spray doesn't hit the cabinets, or counter top.
From contributor Ba
It's right there in the triangle of death. Lots of water etc.. I agree with rich c, doesn't look like a lot of film build. A 2K poly should be more than enough protection even against cleaners. Could be a two coat wham bam thank you mam.
From contributor Up
Thanks everyone!
I'll try the lacquer thinner on the back of a doors...
It's true about the triangle of death but in that case, it seem to spread out...
Thanks again everyone!
Hubert
From contributor Mi
I've seen that happen several times with lacquer due to moisture. I find it hard to believe that 2k poly or cv would do that.
From contributor St
poly does not burn in like lacquers do,perhaps they did not sand between coats good enough
