Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/painting cabinets

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Expert: - 9/27/2011


Question
Our home is almost 23 years old and all the cabinet (kitchen, utility, bathrooms) are Oak. They are in pretty good condition but I am so sick of the orangy oak and my husband says we can't afford to get new cabinets. I would love to paint some of the cabinets off white. I see many DIY people on the internet painting old oak cabinets with primer and latex paint but I wonder if that will just chip and look bad after a couple of years. Also, I want the finish to look smooth and not show alot of brush strokes. What would be the best way to paint these cabinets (brush or sprayer) and what type of paint. Any suggestions would sure help. I am willing to work hard but I don't want it to look like an amateur did it when I'm done. Thanks

Answer
Hi Sue, have you seen the Rustoleum Cabinet transformation kits?...I agree that primer and latex is not the best, or most durable solution...(although with proper prep, good technique, and a clear coat, you can get very nice results...)..these products are based on modern finish technologies, and are more durable than conventional coatings...see it here:
http://cabinets.rustoleumtransformations.com/
Scroll down for the video and watch it.....a good solution for a high quality, durable result....albeit with a lot of prep and labor...but doing a proper finish is hard work.Spraying will always produce a superior finish, but not with paint. Colored cabinet finishes are typical urethanes, lacquers, or other high tech finishes, and require experience, skill, high quality application tools, and access to these state of the art coatings...not the realm of the DIY'er. Hope that helps a little- post back if need be- regards- Greg

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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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