How to prep surface

[Ntex]

Hi all,

I'm refinishing this vanity from Home Depot. The wife wants a navy paint color instead of the wood appearance finish.

What's the best way to scuff/paint this? Should be a great first project for the new pro 5 sander but don't want to be too aggressive since it looks like it could be a thin veneer under there. I plan to prime it white first, then sand and a few coats of the final navy.

Any suggestions on abrasives and paint products welcome! I'll be using a harbor freight hvlp gun.

Thanks
Chris

 

[Holmz]

...The wife wants a navy paint color instead of the wood appearance finish...

What's the best way to scuff/paint this? ...

Have the Wife do it...  [wink]
I would use a sanding block and some 180.

If it was sanded through the veneer would it matter with paint going on it?

 

[BPCFinishing]

Hey Chris, in the past when I have done projects like this I find it best to use a bonding type primer.  I've even successfully covered a thermofoil door in this manner.  XIM has a few great products.  I would still lightly scuff with 180-220, but don't get crazy.  You just want to create small scratches in the finish for the primer to grab in to.  If you sand through the finish and especially the veneer it will likely show up in the finish coat.  Good luck! 

 

[bkharman]

Use Zinsser BIN. It is shellac based and...

Shellac sticks to everything and everything sticks to shellac.

Cheers. Bryan.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ntex]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions...

I tried out the new pro 5 sander, definitely made quick work of removing the factory finish. Shot it last night with A11 sherwin williams oil primer. Man, that stuff is like agent orange (glad I have a good respirator).

I'll sand and shoot the second coat of primer this afternoon.. photos to follow

 

[nickao]

Use Zinsser BIN. It is shellac based and...

Shellac sticks to everything and everything sticks to shellac.

Cheers. Bryan.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

To clarify, for clear sealers ONLY the shellac with NO WAX is universal. And the only readily available ready made shellac with no wax and it's called Seal Coat(by Zinnser). If someone get the regular shellac(also by Zinnser)nothing will stick to it, there is a HUGE difference so be careful. Only use SEAL COAT or make you own shellac with flakes and alcohol.

BIN may be shellac based and wax free, but I have not had great luck with it myself. The coverage has been poor for me.

 

[Ntex]

Second coat of primer.

Pretty bad orange peel but will hopefully settle down some. I'll have to thin it out some I think.

Wife actually likes the texture so maybe I can get away with it  [cool]

I should have just built the vanity, since the topcoat is a dark blue/navy color and there weren't really any close options in the size/style/price we wanted.

This is just good paint practice for the upcoming cabinet build.