Finishing kitchen cabinets

A buddy of mine is converting part of his home into a mother-in-law quarters, and found a deal on some unfinished “oak“ cabinets. I do not know if they are real or faux, but he thinks real. Anyway, he is looking for a relatively durable finish with little or no maintenance required. He asked me about this, and I am not a finish guy, so I gave him a couple of recommendations of places to check, but figured I’d ask here. I don’t know if, for example, something like ting oil is the right solution, or what. Again, a mother-in-law quarters, so not looking for a 20 to 30 year expectancy, and will probably use them for general storage in the garage once the current use is no longer needed. Thank you.

 

Does he want to change the color? or just apply a durable finish? I'd stain [or not] and apply 3 coats of oil base poly [sanding between coats] Oil base poly will deepen the colors naturally in the wood and amber some as it ages. Water based polys just give it a clear with sheen but unless you go with the 2 part finishes they won't be near as durable.

 

Mark beat me to it but three coats of oil based poly has been my go-to finish for a long time.

 

I agree 100%. I finished my kitchen cabinets using oil-based poly and it still looks great.

 

So I'm the decenter here, I have moved away from oil based products and years ago would not be recommending water based products but in the past 10 years I have had exceptional luck with furniture and cabinet projects using high end water based materials!

Do not associate these with krappy Min Wax products, they are not the same.

The line that was recommended to me by a furniture builder, and the only one that I have used, is General Finishes.

https://www.woodcraft.com/categories...5D=Water+Based