sun bleached kitchen cabinets, what can applied to make them look better

[robpeake]

hi all, we have these walnut (i believe) kitchen cabinets, the sun has bleached several of them over the last 10 years. is there a oil or something else that i can apply to bring back the deep brown colour they had before. inside the cabinets you can really see the difference in the colour.
i thought id ask rather than jump straight in with linseed oil or something like that

thanks

 

[JohnD]

Are you sure the existing finish is oil? I would have thought more likely lacquer.

applying a tinted stain will just hide the grain. A wood dye could deepen the colour but you would have to strip off the existing finish. I expect the panels are veneered chipboard, not solid, so will not withstand sanding.

 

[robpeake]

Are you sure the existing finish is oil? I would have thought more likely lacquer.

applying a tinted stain will just hide the grain. A wood dye could deepen the colour but you would have to strip off the existing finish. I expect the panels are veneered chipboard, not solid, so will not withstand sanding.

ah ok i assume they were solid wood, hmm tried getting hold of the company that made them for us many years ago but have been unsuccessful.

 

[JohnD]

It's not Magnet Caldo Walnut is it? Can you take a pic towards the corner, showing how the panel meets the bead on the rail?

and some pics of drawer fronts.

MFI did something similar

This is Caldo.

 

[robpeake]

this is what confused me that they were solid wood

 

[Captain Nemesis]

This is Caldo.

View attachment 233396

I think it looks nicer now its faded.

 

[robpeake]

this is what confused me that they were solid wood

It's not Magnet Caldo Walnut is it? Can you take a pic towards the corner, showing how the panel meets the bead on the rail?

and some pics of drawer fronts.

MFI did something similar

This is Caldo.

View attachment 233396

hi no they werent from Magnet, it was a independent kitchen company that made them or source them and fitted them.

 

[robpeake]

I think it looks nicer now its faded.

lol, trouble is it isnt even so the part facing all the glass at the back of the house is bleached and the other side is a darker brown

 

[JohnD]

No, I don't think it's Caldo, but it's similar. Photo of the front of a door, and a large drawer, in good condition, please?

How many doors do you need, in what sizes? You would need to do the run, but not the whole kitchen, if it is a near match.

 

[robpeake]

No, I don't think it's Caldo, but it's similar. Photo of the front of a door, and a large drawer, in good condition, please?

How many doors do you need, in what sizes? You would need to do the run, but not the whole kitchen, if it is a near match.

just taken some others, as you can see its the outside cabinets which are getting the sun, its all glass at the back of the house

 

[foxhole]

this is what confused me that they were solid wood

Rails are often solid timber while panels are veneered chipboard.

 

[Captain Nemesis]

Rails are often solid timber while panels are veneered chipboard.

Or if youre really lucky, foil wrapped MDF!

Except of course that doesnt fade....

I expect the panels are veneered chipboard, not solid, so will not withstand sanding.

With care and fine grade wire wool the varnish could be removed without removing the veneer.

 

[JohnD]

The reason I asked about the size is that I had Caldo in my old house, wanted it here when I moved, but it was discontinued. I bought the remaining stock from the Scotland warehouse, and a used kitchen to make up other sizes I needed.

I may have doors to suit your island. I also have a few end panels, lots of plinth and cornice, and a few pillars and oddments.

Might this be of interest?

 

[robpeake]

The reason I asked about the size is that I had Caldo in my old house, wanted it here when I moved, but it was discontinued. I bought the remaining stock from the Scotland warehouse, and a used kitchen to make up other sizes I needed.

I may have doors to suit your island. I also have a few end panels, lots of plinth and cornice, and a few pillars and oddments.

Might this be of interest?

yeah could be, the problem i have is the sunlight and how to keep the panels in good condition in the future.

 

[JohnD]

You could keep swapping them round so they all fade equally

Or put Solar film on the glass.

There might be a protective varnish.

How many years do you expect to keep the kitchen?

Tell me your sizes and I'll see if I can match them. What county are you in?