Need Advice

[Vise Grip]

I just finished some built-ins for our walk in closet. I used pine for everything but the drawer fronts, they are Oak. My wife and I have a difference of opinion as how to finish the drawer fronts. I think we should leave them natural and just clear them. She thinks we should paint to match the rest. Let me know what you think

 

[RODDOORS]

Clear coat them so she can see them (women can't always visualize something), you can always paint if she doesn't go WOW.

 

[Old Moparz]

I vote clear, too. I've always used a clear, or a light stain when using a nice piece of wood like the oak you used. If I was planning to paint, I wouldn't have used expensive wood to begin with.

 

[BigAl62]

I would say clear also. You did a great job on this, why not show off your choice of premium wood?

 

[drmarkr]

Paint oak??

no chance...

 

[MoonRise]

Advice?

She wins.

Opinion?

Why did you use nice oak when you are just going to have to paint it to match the rest of the cabinet?

disclaimer: I like oak. Personal preference is an oil-based finish, as it usually adds a very nice IMHO amber/golden tone to red oak.

Hmmm, how about staining the oak drawer fronts in a dark stain, like ebony, to really make them POP against the white cabinets and make the bright drawer handles/hardware pop out as well?

 

[Vise Grip]

Ok,
To answer the question of why I used Oak for the drawer fronts.
It was free. I friend has piles of it. I didn't intend to use it, but
when he offered to give me enough to face the drawers I jumped on it.
This is going in a closet so its not like it will be seen alot. I just wanted to
ask for opinions about the contrast between the white and natural oak. I think if i stain it any darker it would be too much contrast. However the
natural color of the Red Oak kinda looks good with the white. Are atleast thats what I though.

 

[kblazer87]

I am going the opposite way on these. Let me preface this by saying I love the look of natural oak wood. Looking at the pics you have posted here though, in this context, I think your wife is right that they would look better painted to match the rest of the shelves.

Lets face it, the closets belong to the wife anyway.