Wood finishing/selection question...

[HellaFab]

Guys,

I am building some custom cabinets for my garage and the doors/faces I am hoping to get the ultra deep glossy look.

I am thinking it is almost like a self leveling epoxy coating but im not sure what product to use for the faces.

ideas:

I think to get it that smooth and glossy to get the modern look I am going to have to use mdf (blah) on the doors, spray prime the doors, sand with a DA and then lay up some paint/clear like a car-ive painted cars but I don't know the products to use to get the best results on wood.

Im thinking dark dark dark grey or black for my doors/faces to compliment the butcherblock top I am making.




Any thoughts?

 

[kd3pc]

you might look at some marine coatings...I use two part and "roll and tip"...

remember black is the toughest color to perfect. ANY prep issues or flaws in the paint/process will stick out like a sore thumb.

 

[Boomer343]

HellaFab here's a link to the guys I've used in the past for us Canucks.

http://www.bellare.com/

Haven't shot the high gloss, I stick with pearls on my cabinets.

Might you consider going with Ikea high gloss cabinet doors?

 

[texasOFT]

Use clear epoxy spread very thin with plastic squeegee to seal pores in wood. Will take several coats but you can get the surface smooth as glass. You can top coat it with a finish of your choice.

 

[HellaFab]

@texas...is that something that would be somewhat self leveling, or do you need to hit it with some sanding in between?

 

[Krodad]

Instead of MDF have you considered MDO? The overlay is a thin veneer over plywood. It's what the DOT uses (or used) for signs at one time.
It's nice to work it like plywood but it has the perfectly smooth surface for painting. Though you'll have to deal with the edges differently.

You might consider going to an HVAC shop to see if they'll bend up some faces for you out of thin steel.

 

[RivennHewn]

MDO is a good product, but it rarely stays flat.

MDF is a ****** product, but is usually stays flat.

 

[Krodad]

MDO is a good product, but it rarely stays flat.

MDF is a ****** product, but is usually stays flat.

Huh? I've been using it for years, never a problem with warping or twisting, even in exterior applications. Problem now is that it's gotten harder to find and pretty expensive.
My experience is the opposite with MDF, and I hate it as well...because it tends to cup.

 

[ez-duzit]

An easy way is to cover MDO or MDF with high gloss black Formica. Though you might rethink that choice.

 

[texasOFT]

Hellafab - Sealing the pores is not self leveling - you spread the epoxy thin to fill only the pores, light sanding in between. It will take several coats but you end up with a surface that is extremely smooth. You can then top coat with poly, varnish, paint, etc.