Home Concepts

Care

REPAIR - Minor Nicks and Scratches and Nail Hole Repair

Even with the best care and cleaning, minor nicks and scratches are bound to appear. It is always preferable to treat these problems while they are still minor. Wellborn has included sample putty sticks with this packet for minor repairs. A complete touch-up kit that includes a putty stick, touch-up marker and touch-up finish can be obtained through your Authorized Wellborn Dealer.

YOU SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO REPAIR BADLY DAMAGED CABINETRY YOURSELF. CONSULT YOUR LOCAL DEALER OR REFINISHER FOR ASSISTANCE.

1. Scratches can be repaired with the marker and wax sticks. Apply marker to scratch, then wipe off excess.

2. Next, rub the putty stick over the area to cover the void left behind.

3. Remove excess wax with the flat stick that comes in the kit.

4. Lightly use the buffing pad to restore original luster.

Door Panel Construction Repair

As seasonal temperature and humidity changes occur within a house, door panels are susceptible to minor expansion and contraction. The contraction or shrinkage of door panels during low humidity periods may result in the appearance of an unfinished line down the length of the panel where it joins the door stile. Wellborn recommends the installation of a humidity control system to substantially reduce the possibility of expansion and contraction in all wood products in the home. If climactic conditions do not correct the situation automatically, obtain a Wellborn Touch-up Kit in the proper color and follow the repair instructions below. The color of the touch up marker should correspond with the color of the door (i.e. light for light, medium for medium). However, due to the natural characteristic of wood to darken over time, it may be necessary to experiment a little.

READ THE INSTRUCTIONS THOROUGHLY BEFORE BEGINNING THE REPAIR. YOU CANNOT TOUCH UP GLAZES.

1. Remove the door from the cabinet and place it on a flat surface.
2. Use a small piece of 220 grit sandpaper to remove any build-up or residue being careful to not remove any of the existing stain.
3. Shake marker thoroughly to mix contents. Depress felt tip against cardboard or newspaper to start material flow, watching felt tip until material reaches the point. Use care not to over saturate the point.
4. Start at one end and try to use one steady stroke to do the repair as it is difficult to get uniform color otherwise. It may be necessary to go over the area a second time to achieve the desired shade. If difficulty is experienced after two strokes, it may then be necessary to “flood” or saturate the tip of the marker into the troubled area. In this case, be sure to a have a rag handy to remove excess material before it dries. Use minimal pressure on the rag to keep it from getting into the groove itself so as not to remove the paint from the actual repair area.
5. With certain doors or areas, it may be necessary to trim the tip of the touch-up marker to a finer point. This is easily done with a razor blade or a sharp knife. The tip can be removed and turned around, if desired, so as to keep the original shape on one end for touching up other areas.

Wellborn Cabinet, Inc. knows just how proud you are of your new cabinetry. With a little effort and a few precautions, you can keep your cabinetry looking as good as new for many years. 

Always remove the doors and drawers of all cabinets adjacent to and above the oven during the cleaning cycle of self-cleaning appliances. The cleaning cycle generates heat that could affect the finish and surface of the cabinets. We recommend a Delamination Shield (Item Code: DS) be placed between freestanding oven and adjacent base cabinets.

Always clean up spills and any standing water, such as condensation from a glass or bowl, immediately. Pay special attention to the areas around your sink, range, dishwasher, toe spaces and baseboards. Use a blotting action rather than a wiping action.

Always apply cleaning products directly to the clean cloth you are using. Never apply directly to the surface of the area that you are cleaning.
Always lift objects—do not drag across the surface.
Always avoid extremes in room humidity. Too high or too low humidity can cause the wood to warp or the glue used in applying veneers to loosen.
Always avoid extreme changes in room temperature. 
Always rotate accessories on furniture periodically so they do not sit in the same spot all the time.
Always use pads, cloth or felt to protect surfaces from plastics, rubber, hot dishes, beverages, bookends, flowerpots and vases.
Always use protective pads when writing with a ballpoint pen.
Always make minor repairs while they are still small. 
Always treat your cabinetry as if it were furniture. The cabinets are constructed with the same grade wood as your furniture. They require the same care in order to reward you with long lasting beauty.

Never apply a damp cloth to your cabinetry.
Never apply excessive weight nor excessively pull down on doors as this may cause them to split at the hinge area and sag.
Never place more than 75 pounds of weight into any drawer as this may cause the bottom to sag or the drawer slides to work improperly. Also, the weight of what is stored in each drawer should be evenly distributed for the best durability.
Never use a drawer as a step as this may cause the bottom of the drawer to sag or the slides to warp.
Never use wax polishes on the surfaces of your cabinets as this may cause the finish to soften or a build-up of film that may pick up dirt, smoke or other pollutants in the air. This film may then start to smudge or streak. 
Never use silicone polishes on the surface of your cabinets as this raises the sheen of your cabinetry beyond that intended by Wellborn. It can seep into the finish and is very difficult to remove.
Never use petroleum distilled polishes on the surface of your cabinetry as they are often flammable and toxic, and they are seldom ever completely removed.
Never use water on your cabinetry.
Never use ammonia on your cabinetry.
Never use an abrasive cleaner or an abrasive cloth on any painted surface as this will scratch, scar and dull the finish permanently.
Never use concentrated detergents on your cabinetry. Harsh detergents, strong soap and self-polishing waxes could have a damaging effect on the finished surface.
Never leave damp or wet cloths draped over cabinet doors. This moisture can cause permanent water damage to the area over time.
Never wipe your cabinetry with a used dishcloth since it could contain traces of grease or detergents.
Never place plastic or rubber objects on a wood finish—their ingredients react with those of the finish.
Never place furniture in direct sunlight. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight may cause a change in color.
Never attempt to repair badly damaged surfaces without the proper materials or professional help. Consult your local Authorized Wellborn Dealer for badly damaged furniture.
Never let water run off sink to countertops and sink cabinetry.
Never expose the back edges of thermofoil cabinetry to excessive moisture. Over time, prolonged wetness can result in delamination. 

III. CLEANING

A. Wood and MDF Surfaces
1. Dust frequently and polish approximately once a month.
2. Wellborn recommends only using our furniture soap and dusting cloth approved
by our finish supplier, Valspar. The dusting cloth can be washed over 20 times and
still retain its effectiveness. It is more efficient and convenient than spray dusting
products. Feather dusters scatter the dust particles into the air only to resettle
back on your furniture. Wellborn’s furniture polish contains a blend of natural and
organic oils with cleaning emulsifiers. The oils nourish and revitalize the finish,
while the emulsifiers dissolve dirt, dulling films and sticky fingerprints. This polish
preserves the natural sheen intended by the manufacturer and can be used on
finishes ranging from a low to a high gloss.
3. Remember, never apply water to your cabinetry.
4. Special precautions for Wellborn’s Midnight and Onyx finishes:
a. Finish should be cleaned with a damp cloth and no cleaning materials. The flat sheen will dull quickly.
b. No polish materials.
c. Touch up markers can be used for any light touch up.
B. Thermofoil Surfaces
Use mild soap and water to clean thermofoil surfaces.
C. Laminate Surfaces
Use a general multi-surface cleaner to clean laminate surfaces.
D. Accessory Kits
Plastic and wire kits can be cleaned with mild soap and water.
E. Glass Doors and Mirrors
1. Use a glass cleaner applied directly to the cleaning towel.
2. Never spray directly on glass area since drips and overspray may reach and harm the wood surfaces of the door and/or surrounding cabinets.
3. Avoid glass cleaners that contain sodium hydrochloride, phosphoric acid or sulfur.
4. Use caution when using hair care products such as hair spray and mousse around mirrors. These products generally contain chemicals that are caustic to silver and could cause damage to the mirror backing.
F. Door and Drawer Hardware

Door and drawer hardware should be cleaned only with mild soap and water.