Built-in cabinet retrofit

[Jonhilgen]

Just completed this project yesterday.  The client wanted to keep the existing base cabinets, and also reuse the tall panels to keep the costs down.  As you can see from the "before" pictures, the existing built-ins could barely fit his old cathode-ray tv.  He wanted to upgrade to a 50" HDTV.  Upper cabinets are a custom color match to the existing thermofoil base cabinets. 

 

[kev carpenter]

Good job [thumbs up]
what material and finish is it that you used

 

[Jonhilgen]

Actually used MDF for cabinet construction as well as for faceframes (was trying to keep the budget down, and the finisher I use is awesome and  prefers MDF).  The doors are MDF as well since they had to be custom matched on a CNC.

Finish was Magnamax lacquer.

 

[NVA_WW]

Another great job!

 

[kev carpenter]

i use mdf for most build in stuff and cupboard doors to beacause of price but it good to work with to no grain to worry about,
how do you do your furry bits

 

[Jonhilgen]

i use mdf for most build in stuff and cupboard doors to beacause of price but it good to work with to no grain to worry about,
how do you do your furry bits

Kev, what's a furry bit?

Jon

 

[kev carpenter]

end of a cut sheet when you paint it can be furry

 

[Jonhilgen]

Thought so.

I would have to ask the guy who finishes my cabinets.  But from what I remember him telling me, he sands the end grain with 220, then uses a heavy primer and that usually takes care of it.  Then top coat with lacquer paint and you can't even tell it's MDF.