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Woodcraft and Arthur Brown Finishes or Wolf Classic Finishes

All Woodcraft kitchen cabinets, bookcases, and furniture are available unfinished or in a choice of 14 stain colors, 9 paint colors, and 3 specialty finishes with a glaze, and a Natural clearcoat varnish. A Brown or Black glaze can also be added to any stain or paint color for an extra 10%. The specialty finishes are made as follows:

• Caramel = Candlelight stain plus a Brown glaze
• Merlot = Black Cherry stain plus a Black glaze
• Hazelnut = Antique White paint plus a Brown glaze

Woodcraft and Arthur Brown products use the Becker Acroma Finishing System (www.becker-acroma.com), which is a high-quality, durable, and environmentally friendly professional-grade post-catalyzed conversion varnish. The paint is called Becker-Acroma Matador. This results in a non-yellowing, catalyzed conversion varnish that emits very low VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). The conversion varnish high-build properties produce a durable, chemical-resistant finish. The Becker-Acroma Matador paint can be color matched to any Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams paint color. 

What is a Post-Catalyzed Conversion Varnish?

Conversion varnish, also called catalyzed conversion varnish or catalyzed varnish, is a lacquer that consists of a high-end solid two-part post-catalyzed application process. In short, a hardening agent is added to the varnish prior to painting, which provides additional durability when combined with the heat-curing process. Conversion varnish is chemically cured and fast-drying and consists of 40-60% solids. However, it must be applied by a professional to ensure the correct ratio of chemicals and solids is used so that it hardens correctly. A varnish wood finish does cost more than house lacquer, but it is also much more durable and easier to clean. It is this characteristic that makes it an excellent option for painted cabinet doors.

How does a Conversion Varnish Compare to Polyurethane?

Polyurethane is often considered one of the most durable finishes, so many people weigh conversion varnish vs. polyurethane when replacing cabinet doors. Polyurethane can have many benefits, particularly when compared to many other finishes. Polyurethane is actually a form of varnish and is quite durable. Polyurethane can resist scratching, heat, alkali, and acids and wear better than many other finishes, including lacquer. It also offers an attractive, protective finish. However, on the downside, polyurethane can yellow over time, especially if in direct sunlight. It also requires sanding in between each coat to ensure proper bonding, and since the dry time is up to 24 hours, it takes quite some time to fully finish a piece. It is also typically brushed on rather than sprayed on, slowing the application even more. Conversion varnish is typically more costly than polyurethane because it needs to be professionally applied. However, it also lasts much longer and is still consistently more durable. While a varnish wood finish might cost a little more, it is ultimately a better value, offering longer-lasting protection and durability.

Conversion Varnish Advantages

A varnish wood finish is a premium option for all sorts of projects, including cabinetry and cabinet doors. This post-catalyzed conversion varnish offers a number of benefits, especially compared to other cabinet paint or lacquer products. Let’s take a closer look at the advantages offered by conversion varnish to better understand why it’s such a smart choice.

• Better Durability When compared to basic home lacquer paint, conversion varnish wins in durability. It is largely a solid coating hardened during the application process but still elastic enough to move with the wood, so it stands up better to regular use. It doesn’t have a tacky feeling like some regular house paints and instead offers a smooth, hard finish that’s better for high-traffic and high-use areas. Altogether, a varnish wood finish is resistant to heat, humidity, and scratches as long as it’s properly applied and cared for, protecting the wood and your kitchen’s appearance.
• Clear Coat Finish When conversion varnish is applied, you’ll get a smooth, clear color and finish. This highly polished finish creates a refined appearance in your kitchen or bathroom but also makes it easier to care for. In addition to looking great, the ultra-smooth and durable surface is easy to quickly clean or wipe down. Whether your cabinets are subjected to use in a hot, humid kitchen while cooking frequent big meals, or you have small children whose messy little hands leave sticky fingerprints, conversion varnish paint can stand up to it all. Even better, you get all of the benefits with fewer coats that dry faster than other finish options.
• Easy To Clean When it comes to conversion varnish vs. paint, there’s no contest when it’s time to clean up. Conversion varnish simply applies smoother and doesn’t have a tacky or sticky feel like many kinds of house paints. If some food or other mess gets on your cabinet doors, they’re much easier to clean than traditional cabinet and house paint. Better still, the coating is more durable than other lacquers and paints, too, so it will look great after years of gentle cleaning. Remember not to use harsh chemicals.

What type of wood should I choose when painting?

Maple is usually the best choice of wood for painting since it has the least amount of grain. The heavy grain in Oak can sometimes be seen, especially with light colored paints.

Will the toekick area come stained or painted?

No. Please note that the bottom "toe kick" area of kitchen and vanity cabinets are not made of stain-grade material. When placing multiple cabinets together, there will also be a 1/2" gap between the toekick area of adjacent cabinets, which means that you must use a long piece to span multiple cabinets. For the best appearance, please order matching "toe kick" material or base moulding that is no more than 4.5"H (the toe kick area is 4.5"H x 3"D).

To get a sample of the finish colors, please visit our sample request page and see below for the color choices.