Learning Cabinet Finishes

Friends,

    Yesterday I was privileged to work with a master faux finisher while he was refinishing kitchen cabinetry. I am amazed at all the different effects that can be done using stain, sealant and a little creativity. The project being worked on will have 3 different cabinet texture effects all while maintaining the nice smooth surface of the wood. The style I learned yesterday is the Euro finish (custom finish only available from Euro Design Build Remodel www.eurodesignbuild.com. This amazing finish features a beautiful brown stain with hints of burnt gold that peak through. The project was a very challenging one as almost every cabinet piece had sever cracks and scratches that had to be addressed prior to staining / finishing. Covering up these repairs to make a "like new" cabinet was no easy task, though I did have a blast doing it. As I mentioned in previous blogs, I love utilizing my artistic ability to create anything. I find that cabinetry has a certain appeal in that it will be enjoyed daily by our clients in a much more practical way than paintings that may or may not find a place in a persons home and are for aesthetic purposes only. There is just something about art that serves a practical use, like an amazing chandelier or intricately cut cut crystal, these cabinets will be put to great use.

    Things to know about stain.
 - Always sand the wood you will be staining to remove any scratches, blemishes or varnish. A series of sand paper may be needed for new custom cabinets to get a nice smooth surface to work with. ( If you are re-staining or refinishing, light sanding is best to create a smooth surface without making blemishes in the woods preexisting color.)
 - Lay the stain on fast with a paint brush, if you are going for a faux finish or textured look, don't let it sit to long. You want the stain to be as uniformed as possible without glooping up in any areas unless the finish requires you to do so. (manipulating the stain in certain paterns and with various materials seems to be a big part of getting one of a kind finishes that are unique and stand above the rest. Dried stain will not manipulate.)
 - Have your material layed out and ready, as you will need to quickly grab a rag and start wiping befor the stain dries. (If the stain dries you will end up with a goopy mess when you go to whip it... see above statement)
 - For different effects try using various material with unique textures things to wipe or pat the wet stain off.
 - No stain job is complete until the stain is sealed and dried. (the sealant process ensures the long lasting life of your new finish.

To see many of the amazing one of a kind finishes that are being produced daily at Euro Design Build Remodel check out the website listed in the first paragraph, click on portfolio (there are great pics of kitchen cabinetry, bath cabinetry as well as many other projects).