Ideas to finish MDF Cabinet sides.

[GCncsuHD]

So I'm finally finishing up my storage cabinet/workbench build in my garage, and I need to figure out what to do to finish the bare MDF sides of my cabinets. I'd like your suggestions please!


So here is what I am working with, a mixture of Lowes and Home Depot unfinished oak faced, MDF framed cabinets. I got them on sale pretty cheap and they will do for what I will use them for. The fronts are oak, while the sides are MDF. The big box stores sell oak sheets of veneer to cover the sides, but I'd like to do something different.

Many people just prime and paint the MDF, but I don't really want to do that.

A couple of the ideas I had:

• Get laminate countertop material to match my workbench top (from Lowes) and glue that to the sides.
  
• Get thin galvanized sheet metal and put that on the sides. Along with that idea I have considered painting part of the side on the left with whiteboard paint to give an idea board/place for the kids to doodle.

I'm open to any other suggestions.

Here is what I have now.

You can see I will need to cover both the left and right ends of the tall "pantry" cabinets, the inner sides of those cabinets facing the workbench, and the side of the long narrow cabinet on the end above the workbench.

Untitled by wrfalcon75, on Flickr

Rightside detail

Untitled by wrfalcon75, on Flickr

How it looks now, a little closer to done

Untitled by wrfalcon75, on Flickr

Workbenchtop laminate detail

Untitled by wrfalcon75, on Flickr

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

Buy 1/4" oak plywood and rip to size.

 

[MonoxieChild]

You can buy pretty thin SS in rolls at really cheap prices. My Father in law finished off his cabinets next to his oven using it, and it turned out looking really good. I think that would be perfect for what your doing. Im pretty sure he even said it came with a peal and stick backing also.

 

[eric_koski]

Peel and stick wood Veneer. Easy to cut, stains like wood. Check amazon :

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0009..._QL70#ref=mp_s_a_1_28&qid=1392759955&sr=8-28l

 

[Kevin54]

You can get thin sheets of veneer or plywood. Use some Contact Cement, coat both surfaces, let them tack up, and install. Then sand everything lightly and paint or stain everything.You can get 5/32" or 3/16" to do it in.

 

[GCncsuHD]

Buy 1/4" oak plywood and rip to size.

Peel and stick wood Veneer. Easy to cut, stains like wood. Check amazon :

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0009..._QL70#ref=mp_s_a_1_28&qid=1392759955&sr=8-28l

You can get thin sheets of veneer or plywood. Use some Contact Cement, coat both surfaces, let them tack up, and install. Then sand everything lightly and paint or stain everything.You can get 5/32" or 3/16" to do it in.

Those will all work, but are basically the same as the basic precut oak sheets made for the sides of the cabinets I mentioned in my first post. I'm trying to get away from that, and do something different and functional for the sides.

Also, forgot to mention in the first post, I won't be painting or staining the cabinets, but instead just rubbing them down with oil for a natural finish.

You can buy pretty thin SS in rolls at really cheap prices. My Father in law finished off his cabinets next to his oven using it, and it turned out looking really good. I think that would be perfect for what your doing. Im pretty sure he even said it came with a peal and stick backing also.

I like this idea, similar to what I was going to do with the galvanized sheet, but from a quick look around the SS foil rolls will cost a quite a bit more than grabbing a couple 4x8 sheets of 26ga galvanized from the local HVAC supply and cutting them to size.

Keep them coming guys, thanks!

 

[usmc_noma]

You can buy pretty thin SS in rolls at really cheap prices. My Father in law finished off his cabinets next to his oven using it, and it turned out looking really good. I think that would be perfect for what your doing. Im pretty sure he even said it came with a peal and stick backing also.

I'm on the same page. Finish it in stainless steel. It will clean up nice and will look good once you're finished the entire garage setup.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

You have a choice- either go industrial or kitchen themed. With the raised wood panel doors, you've gone with the kitchen theme, so you'll best want to stick with wood grain side panels. Mixing industrial metal or painting with those cabinets will look cobbled together.

For me, I would prefer flat faced industrial look for cabinets in the garage. That said, I am using repurposed cabinets in mine, but I plan to replace the doors and paint the frames. That's an easy project to do.

 

[Hobbit]

How about mirror glass.

 

[Holt]

Metal pegboard, corrugated metal, or get real fancy and buy some leather

 

[alpinewhite]

Hang a poster of Farrah Fawcett.


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[Ray-CA]

I would prime and then use chalkboard paint for the one on the left. Make a great spot to Need to do/buy lists. Inside, cork squares for push pins etc.

Ray

 

[cburnscrx]

First question to ask is what are you doing to "finish" the unfinished oak cabinets? Stain, paint, nothing? The decision on what to do with the sides will be dictated by what you do with the front.

It's your garage and your cabinets, but I think anything other than wood just looks like a cheap band aid even if it's actually more expensive than the laminate. You've got some decent cabinets and a decent countertop, I'd continue with that approach, but that's just me.

 

[cburnscrx]

I would prime and then use chalkboard paint for the one on the left. Make a great spot to Need to do/buy lists. Inside, cork squares for push pins etc.

Ray

If he's interested in that, I'd just get a giant white board and use dry erase markers.

 

[mtesh73]

i would finish the end of the cabinets in the same manner the doors are built, with recessed panels. basically just fabricate a door the same size as the end panel and fasten. we did this in our kitchen and it is a very nice upgrade.

 

[rick carpenter]

First of all, it looks really good! Something "too different" on the sides might take away from the front.

Outsides: Hang prybars, levels, framing squares, etc on left; hang air hose & extension cords on right.

Insides: White pegboard to match back in bottom half (glued to cab sides therefore non-functional); ply/veneer on top next to upper cabinets.

 

[MN4x4]

IF you want the shiny metal look, I requested some samples of brushed aluminum and stainless steel material like Formica. Can't remember who the exact vendor was right now, but one of them looks great and will be really easy to install and maintain.

 

[GCncsuHD]

You have a choice- either go industrial or kitchen themed. With the raised wood panel doors, you've gone with the kitchen theme, so you'll best want to stick with wood grain side panels. Mixing industrial metal or painting with those cabinets will look cobbled together.

For me, I would prefer flat faced industrial look for cabinets in the garage. That said, I am using repurposed cabinets in mine, but I plan to replace the doors and paint the frames. That's an easy project to do.

Yea, I didn't really "choose a theme" I just went with what was on sale But I see where you are coming from. I have considered painting the frames and doors though much like this member did:
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=976523&postcount=48
I really like how his turned out.

How about mirror glass.

Maybe a little too 70s p0rno set for me...wait...maybe that's just the idea

(on a similar note, a friend of mine's college apartment, the living room had a 12x10 wall in the living room that was fully tiled with mirrors....and **** carpeting...this was in 2008ish, I felt icky just walking in there )

Metal pegboard, corrugated metal, or get real fancy and buy some leather

I like the corrugated metal idea, but I agree with Vegaman above, that may be too "industrial" and take away from the look. I considered pegboard, but I already have 10' of it above the bench.

Hang a poster of Farrah Fawcett.


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I know the poster, but 1. My wife wouldn't approve, which is fine by me since she is 1/3 of the age of Farrah, 2. Not sure how I feel about a poster of a deceased woman that is now old enough to be my grandmother

I would prime and then use chalkboard paint for the one on the left. Make a great spot to Need to do/buy lists. Inside, cork squares for push pins etc.

Ray

I like the way you think, I had already considered doing the galvanized metal on the one on the left, then using the whiteboard paint and making it a idea/notepad, along with a doodle place for the kids (hopefully to keep the marks off the wall ) Hadn't thought about the corkboard for push pins, I like that.

First question to ask is what are you doing to "finish" the unfinished oak cabinets? Stain, paint, nothing? The decision on what to do with the sides will be dictated by what you do with the front.

It's your garage and your cabinets, but I think anything other than wood just looks like a cheap band aid even if it's actually more expensive than the laminate. You've got some decent cabinets and a decent countertop, I'd continue with that approach, but that's just me.

I forgot to put it in the first post, but did mention it above, I'm on the fence, I kind of really like to leave the natural oak finish up front, and just rub it down with oil to protect it. But part of me wants to paint them like the link I posted above.

If he's interested in that, I'd just get a giant white board and use dry erase markers.

See above

i would finish the end of the cabinets in the same manner the doors are built, with recessed panels. basically just fabricate a door the same size as the end panel and fasten. we did this in our kitchen and it is a very nice upgrade.

So you are saying making "false doors" with molding to match the recessed panel doors? I do think that would look good and not so plain as just flat wood sides.

First of all, it looks really good! Something "too different" on the sides might take away from the front.

Outsides: Hang prybars, levels, framing squares, etc on left; hang air hose & extension cords on right.

Insides: White pegboard to match back in bottom half (glued to cab sides therefore non-functional); ply/veneer on top next to upper cabinets.

Thanks, I may hang some stuff on the right side, I want to keep the left side more clutter free, that is the side next to the entrance door to the house. I have Gladiator Geartrack to hang extension cords etc. on the wall on the far right, and my air compressor is all the way on the other side of the garage, so that is where the air hoses go. Prybars are hung on the side of the toolbox.

IF you want the shiny metal look, I requested some samples of brushed aluminum and stainless steel material like Formica. Can't remember who the exact vendor was right now, but one of them looks great and will be really easy to install and maintain.

Thanks, the more I visualize it in my mind, the more I am forgetting the idea of a brushed metal look, unless I decide to paint the cabinets as well.

 

[sands35]

Drywall setting type mud and some primer and paint. Or Bondo, primer and paint. A bit more work than peel and stick vernier or a metal flashing application. But probably a bit cheaper.

Yeah - not shiny SS, but it will get the job done.

 

[Boomer343]

Personally I like the idea of the galvanized on all the cabinets. I use magnets to hold plans, lists etc and even posters. I tried cork and it was a pain since it needs to be quite thick to hold a pin and the cheap thin stuff will show every bubble or wave even using contact cement.

You could also do some tape pin striping on it and it is easy to clean.

 

[GCncsuHD]

Personally I like the idea of the galvanized on all the cabinets. I use magnets to hold plans, lists etc and even posters. I tried cork and it was a pain since it needs to be quite thick to hold a pin and the cheap thin stuff will show every bubble or wave even using contact cement.

You could also do some tape pin striping on it and it is easy to clean.

Several months ago when I first put up the cabinets, this was my idea. I even ordered some super strong magnets from amazon for this purpose, and a magnetic "cup" to hold dry erase markers, and a magnetic dry erase-eraser for the painted on dry erase board.

I like the idea of doing some type of pin-striping on it, my father in law has some pin striping brushes, they were actually left in a donor car we bought for parts, and has mentioned wanting to learn how to freehand some designs. My wife is pretty "artsy", I might see how handy she is with pin striping some tribal pinstripe designs etc.

 

[mtesh73]

yes, just fabricate the doors and fasten right onto to the side, without hinges or hardware. really adds a finished look.

 

[OakwoodVeneer]

Another inexpensive idea is to use Plastiback Balance Sheets. It's great for painting and easy to install - just use contact cement.
http://www.oakwoodveneer.com/plastiback-balance-sheet.html

 

[Motown 454]

How about sand and paint with the spray paint that looks like stone. they may have something close to your counter top in color. That paint covers a lot.


It comes in quite a few colors. You could also get a Formica sheet in wood grain or to match the counter.

 

[alpinewhite]

Any updates? What did u decide to use?


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[GCncsuHD]

Any updates? What did u decide to use?


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No updates as of yet, a 4 month old with pneumonia, and working basically 3 jobs has kept me out of the garage for a couple weeks now.

 

[blacksporty]

How about buying sheets of formica that is the same as the counter top and use that on the sides.

I bought a couple of cabinets that look similar from Lowes, for my trailer and deciding how to finish them as well.

 

[alpinewhite]

No updates as of yet, a 4 month old with pneumonia, and working basically 3 jobs has kept me out of the garage for a couple weeks now.

How about now?

 

[GCncsuHD]

How about now?

Still nothing.