Preparation
Remove Doors and Drawers: All cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware are removed and labelled for easy reassembly.
Thorough Cleaning: Surfaces are cleaned with a degreaser to remove any grease, dirt, and grime. Avoid using TSP to ensure proper paint bonding.
Sanding: Sanding all surfaces to remove the old finish and create a smooth surface for new paint to adhere to is crucial.
Sealing the Grain
Apply Shellac: Instead of grain filler, shellac is used to seal and fill the open grain of the oak. This enhances the wood’s natural beauty while providing a smooth base for painting.
Multiple Coats: Apply multiple thin coats of shellac, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly before lightly sanding between coats to achieve a smooth finish.
Repair and Patch
Patch Imperfections: Any dents, cracks, or holes are patched with wood filler. The patched areas are then sanded smooth once dry.
Caulk Gaps: High-quality, flexible caulk is used to fill any gaps and seams, preventing future cracking.
Priming
Bonding Primer: A shellac-based bonding primer is applied to seal the wood and create a strong base for the paint. This helps cover the grain and prevents tannin bleed-through.
Multiple Coats: Apply at least two coats of primer, allowing adequate drying and curing time between each coat.
Painting
Off-Site Spraying: Doors and drawers are spray-painted off-site in a controlled, dust-free environment. This ensures a smooth, professional finish.
Hand-Painting On-Site: The exterior sections of the cabinet boxes (face frames, exposed cupboards, etc.) are hand-painted on-site to ensure precision and detail.
Drying and Curing
Drying Racks: Freshly painted doors and drawers are placed on drying racks in a vented environment to ensure a satin-smooth finish.
Curing Time: All painted surfaces are allowed sufficient time to cure properly to ensure durability.
Reassembly
Reattach Doors and Drawers: Once fully cured, the doors and drawers are reassembled onto the cabinets, ensuring proper alignment.
Final Touches: New felt door and drawer bumpers are added to reduce noise and protect the finish.
Quality Control
Inspection: A thorough inspection is conducted to ensure there are no imperfections and the finish is smooth and consistent.
By using shellac to seal and fill the open grain, PAINTING Guys maintain the natural beauty of oak while achieving a high-quality, durable finish.