Sanding detailed areas of cabinets

Phatsub · Sep 8, 2008

I'm in the process of repainting my kitchen cabinet doors and drawers. I'm wondering how you all do the sanding in the detailed areas such as the curved surfaces and in the tight corners. The best tool I have is a quarter sheet finishing sander. Is their perhaps something like a sanding pad for a drill motor that will reach tight spots?

Thanks for your opinions and advise.

mtwaterguy · Sep 8, 2008

Phatsub said:
I'm in the process of repainting my kitchen cabinet doors and drawers. I'm wondering how you all do the sanding in the detailed areas such as the curved surfaces and in the tight corners. The best tool I have is a quarter sheet finishing sander. Is their perhaps something like a sanding pad for a drill motor that will reach tight spots?

Thanks for your opinions and advise.

Yeah they're called detail sanders. Triangle shape, point in front to let you get into corners.

Phatsub · Sep 8, 2008

I've borrowed my Mother-In-Law's "Mouse" but I was hoping there was something that worked a little quicker. I've found the Wagner Paint Eater and was wondering if the disk for that could be used in a drill?

This thing:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61RPJ9SYN9L._SL500_.jpg

Stuey · Sep 8, 2008

Phatsub said:
I've borrowed my Mother-In-Law's "Mouse" but I was hoping there was something that worked a little quicker. I've found the Wagner Paint Eater and was wondering if the disk for that could be used in a drill?

This thing:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61RPJ9SYN9L._SL500_.jpg

They do make products like that for drills, but more often than not they're marketed as paint strippers.

Phatsub · Sep 8, 2008

All I really need to do is scuff the surface enough to get a coat of primer to stick. This wheel should do the trick, no?

Stuey · Sep 8, 2008

Phatsub said:
All I really need to do is scuff the surface enough to get a coat of primer to stick. This wheel should do the trick, no?

Just make sure that you test it on scrap wood first. The 3M version goes for a few dollars in the paint removal section at Lowes/HD.

mtwaterguy · Sep 9, 2008

If you have a tool truck close you might check and see if he has the 3M gasket removal set. Designed to stick to a pad that fits in your drill. Appears to be similar to your picture.

Herb · Sep 9, 2008

If all you need to do is scuff the surface, 3M Scotchbright scuff pads will do fine- just remember to sand in ONLY one direction, not left and right, then at an angle, then foward and backwards- you'll cause yourself a lot of grief when the topcoat dries. I think products like TSP will degloss some paints quite easily with the benefit of cleaning the surface at the same time. I'm not sure about the need to prime first, unless there is bare wood or a darker color you need to hide.

Phatsub · Sep 9, 2008

I am going from a dark brown to white, that's why we're priming first.

Vinko · Oct 2, 2008

mtwaterguy said:
Yeah they're called detail sanders. Triangle shape, point in front to let you get into corners.

+1 on the detail sanders. I borrowed an older American-made one from a cabinet maker I knew. It was nice to use. Easy too, but I practiced a bit first, because I was detail sanding some old furniture with detail that was somewhat fragile. I switched to hand sanding at some parts because the tool itself wasn't that exact or maybe it was just the operator

I'm no expert, but it sounds like you could just hand-sand those cupboards, if you don't mind putting a little bit of work into it.

Sanding detailed areas of cabinets

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