If you have planned on refinishing your aging cabinets or building custom ones almost the same steps are required. Creating custom cabinets takes more work up front to determine what style, wood type, etc. From there the process is stripping the wood and then finishing/refinishing.
The first step of wood stripping is to remove any old materials on the wood that could interfere with refinishing them. Included would be the removal of existing paint, varnish, shellac, and other old finishes. This would prevent against:
- burns
- alterations to wood color
- warping
- veneer failure
- loosened glue joints
- raising of the grain
After the wood has been stripped the next step is refinishing the wood with something that makes sense for what you are looking for.
- Surface coatings are durable and almost maintenance-free
- Natural finishes are clear and protect from wear and tear
- Pigmented finishes resemble paint
- Penetrating finishes bring a country or modern look but require more maintenance
- Waxing seals and protects the wood which needs little maintenance
Choosing the right finish is important for what you are looking for. If you have children that may be running around in the kitchen then surface coatings might be best due to their durability. If you want a specific color then pigmented finishes are the best option to match the color you are looking for.
If you are thinking of making custom cabinets or refinishing your current ones contact us, a local cabinet maker in Needham, MA.
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