primed kitchen cabinets - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

lamimiette · 08-21-2007, 11:14 AM

Hi everybody,
I just signed up on this forum. I am a painter and plasterer primarily working in green building and old world plasters. This time though I have a faux finishing kitchen cabinets project. these cabinets have been built with MDF (not green at all) and primed with a non identified very sleek paint on which regular acrylic paint will do a poor job. the alternative would be an oil paint, lacquer style (which I would like very much for the performance but the fumes will kill me). Another alternative would be to sand the surface prior to painting but it is sort of a shame since I like the very smooth aspect and the final look will be an impression of a polished stone. Any suggestion? Thanks a million.

**slickshift** · 08-24-2007, 06:38 PM

Why do you think a regular paint will do a poor job with that particular primer?

I wouldn't recommend a "regular" paint anyway, I'd recommend an enamel

An oil-based enamel or lacquer will give you a smoother finish then a waterborne enamel

powderpuffer · 08-25-2007, 11:42 PM

I'm new here, too. We've been pretty successful locally applying powder coating on mdf using a new technology involving UV curing powder coats. The results are impressive. Our hardware is portable allowing us to go on-site with hitech equipment. We cure at under 200 degees (usually about 150) so there's no damage to substrate and mdf is very compatible with UV. It's used all the time in knockdown furniture that's powder coated. Unlimited colors/finishes. You might investigate this as it will undoubtedly be the next frontier in finishes that are almost 100% environmentally safe and have a lifespan greater than conventional finishes with high VOC's but with better durability and ultimately lower cost once you have the technique down. We also do a lot of thermal spray powder coating (flame application) with zero damage to substrates, but the coatings are not as architecturally pleasing and are more for protective purposes.

lamimiette · 08-27-2007, 01:50 PM

I have never heard of powder coatings. Though that would not be applicable in this particular case (the cabinets are primed), this technique sounds really interesting. The cabinets are primed with a Sherwyn Williams industrial primer which requires (I called in the mean time) sprayed toxic industrial coating. I am not going to go that route, I can't anyway. I will sand lightly and try oil paints and glazes. any one you would recommend for cabinets? Do you think that I should prime?
Myriam

Tmrrptr · 09-10-2007, 10:42 AM

Powder,
I'd really like to hear more about application to mdf and other non-metallic surfaces... where would I look ?
Thanx
r