Water-damaged bead board cabinets can be prevented by caulking between the gaps using DAP 230. 

In this example, PAINTING Guys refinished these beadboard cabinets with acrylic paint rather than lacquer and the finish is more durable and looks beautiful! 

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Example of a new kitchen cabinet finish that FAILED after 3 years from normal amount of splashing water around the sink (washing dishes etc)

Bead Board Cabinets

If you have a busy house, never buy wainscot cabinets. They look beautiful new but if the finishing isn't great, the seams usually fill up with crud, especially around busy areas ( sinks, stoves, pantries) which makes them look old and dirty.

Water Damage

If wainscot cabinets aren't sealed between the groove and shaker panel, water will get in behind the panels and blow out the finish. Which is exactly what happened to this kitchen 3 years later.

Something so simple could have prevented if the cabinet maker sealed and finished the doors and drawers properly. Water would obviously run down the groove, get in behind the panels and blow out the finish.

The good news is: The owners of this kitchen heard about PAINTING Guys cabinet refinishing, hoped it was worth a try to salvage them before spending another $35,000 to replace.
Ta da! They look awesome now and are much better to the original finish!

I removed all the flaking from water damage, resealed and refinished these cabinets like new again.

BAD Lacquer Finishing!

These are silk to touch finished now. Better sealed, better finished than the original finish.

For more images on this restoration project:  See Cabinet Restoration