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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/painting over whitewashed cabinets

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Expert: - 8/12/2010


Question

whitewashed cabinet
Hi Greg-
I just bought a whitewashed kitchen cabinet set from green demolitions and I am unhappy with the whitewash finish and would like to paint over them. I do not know if they came that way or if someone whitewashed them. I believe they are birch. I would like to paint them an antique white color.  What is the process? Do I have to strip them? I am sure I will have to sand them, for they have a semi-shiny coat (which has yellowed in many areas). What # sand paper? What kind of primer? Help... I would like to spray them if possible (any recommendations?)

Answer
Hi Renee, they are Oak, so the grain will show through the paint....just so you're aware of that...but start with a good cleaning with a degreaser, or mineral spirits and 0000 steel wool, (as long as the finish is intact, no flaking,chipping, etc), and then I would scuff sand them with some 220-320 sandpaper, and prime and paint.You can use a good aerosol like Rustoleum or Krylon...they are capable of a very smooth, professional finish with the right technique, (there's a learning curve), but if it's a lot of cabinets, this may not be a practical way to finish them as it can get expensive....Kmart was selling Krylon for around $3.99 a can, though, and a can goes pretty far....the question is whether you can find a color that's suitable for you.If the old finish is in bad shape, then you would need to strip them, and that's a huge, messy job......please post back if need be- regards- Greg

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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