This is the look I want

[robtonya]

this is the look of the finish I ended up with. Its growing on me, but I didn't get the black grain I wanted. I was nervous about using the real dark grain filler, I mixed a little dark with alot of natural filler. Then a mahogany color stain, and about four coats of poly. I still have to do the face frame.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Rob,

Did you do any test panels as you progressed with development of your finishing system?  I find the use of test panels very helpful.  And writing a few notes so I can refer later to them.

The finished cabinets look great to me!

Dave R.

 

[robtonya]

Thanks Dave, actually I am pretty happy with it too, now, I guess it growed on me. I was frustrated at first as I did not use a test panel, and at first I could not get off all the grain filler by hand sanding. My wife assured me it looked fine, but I thought it looked blotchy, so I got the R.O. sander on it, and sanded it down to no finish at all, but it left the grain filler in. Then I used the mahogany finish and and a can of spray on poly. I intend to do the face frames this weekend, then install it. ;D ;D ;D

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Rob,

Gutsy move using your RO sander on the veneer.  I'm glad it came out well and that your wife likes it.

Dave R.

 

[robtonya]

I figured either that or start over. ;D