My cabinets are pressed wood, swollen from water, how do I repair.
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Very good ideas on this forum! I had the same problem, the pressed wood cabinets peeling and even pitting around the edges that got wet the most. They looked pretty bad and I wanted to do something that would help. I sanded with 120 grit and then used the wood glue method mentioned above (adding a bit of water) to create a sheen and a new surface on the damaged areas. After that dried, I sanded all of it again for a smoother finish. The glue paste filled in some of the pitting for a much better new surface. I then used a real good "gripper" primer and then an alkyd paint on top of it all. ( 2 coats). The alkyd dries to a hard enamel finish and seals it from abuse, much better than the cheap wood. I was really surprised how well it transformed the beveled edges of the cabinets. It is not perfect, but a huge improvement over what it was. And much less expensive than replacing the cabinets. It got better as I went, after doing one cabinet door it continued to get better with the gluing, the sanding, and the painting. Make sure to use a very good brush to apply the primer, and a high density foam roller to apply the paint, it makes the finish much smoother.
By Getting real wood. I done supporting this cheap crap, and making my own cabinets.
You can use an electric sander. As mentioned before, Start with a lower number sand paper, more aggressive grit, to knock down raised areas. Be easy with that grit, 120 or 100 on undamaged surfaces. Those can be sanded with less abrasive even as high as 400 & 440 if you just want to dull finish to paint over it. By adding primer first on rough or pitted surfaces, it will help cover imperfections as well as require less coats to cover surface that you are painting. I don’t think enamel is necessary. Given the fact that you have an adequate layer of primer, paint and clear finish (For durability.) if you are brushing enamel, brushes are more expensive, paint is higher, and more difficult to clean up. LET US ALL REMEMBER NOT TO SINK TOO MUCH $ INTO PRESSED WOOD FURNITURE IF YOU ARE TRYING TO SELL IT. You may put more in it than you can get out of it. So kiss 💋...keep it simple stupid. Lol good luck
Use the super thin formula of super glue. You can get this from any hobby store. Its thinner than water and will wick into the wood fibers then harden up. Best to use a vice to press the wood back into its shape as much as possible then add the super-glue. This must be done in a well ventilated area due to the off gassing of the super glue. I have used this to repair water swollen wood with good results. Once hardened you can sand back to the original thickness, prime and paint. If you have a large area you may need to drill small holes into the wood to get the super glue into bigger areas. It will harden the wood back up and stick the fibers back together well enough to hold paint. Once primed, sanded and painted you can't tell that the repair was made.