Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/presswood cabinets

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Expert: - 5/27/2009


Question
Hi there, so I have old pressed wood looking cabinets in my kitchen. I would like to make them look better. I know I can paint them but do you have any clever ideas? If painting is the only way for pressed wood how should I do it? I would like to avoid sanding if possible but we will sand if need be. We are new home owners and would love some ideas. Thanks so much, Karma Jewell

Answer
If they are "pressed wood", likely MDF, they probably have a genuine Vinyl veneer or similar, which doesn't hold paint well, even with a good primer. As with any paint job, the key is to clean them very well with a degreasing solvent, and then scuff sand them to help the primer adhere. My best suggestion is to start saving for refacing or replacing the cabinets.....but as a new home owner I know it can be tough to find it in the budget. The smoothest finish will come from spraying them, even aerosols can produce a professional looking finish, but a good brush combined with foam rollers will also give great results. As with any painting job, prep is 90% of the job, careful, and good painting techniques is the rest. Post back if need be- Greg

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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