Scuff Cabinets

San13855025
by San13855025
These are my cabinets how can I restore them they aren't real wood it's particle board you think I can sand them and use wood epoxy
  12 answers
  • Michelle Po Michelle Po on Nov 05, 2016
    I used a good primer, flat smoked beige spray paint followed by antique wax. I then used valspar linewash to give a soft textured look. I put in a rustic looking laminate I got on clearance for 10$ a box. Normally it was more than 50$! Providence hickory by pergo max. I also used the same method for the dated tile backsplash! I painted my kitchen in a soft neutral clay bisque, with gloss antique white trim to pull the tones and colors together. I preserved the mosaic accent tiles . Not a small amount of work, but I think it turned out nicely.
  • Susan Bechamp Susan Bechamp on Nov 06, 2016
    When you've sanded the cabinets smooth, use epoxy wood filler or Bondo to fill in any deep scratches or gouges in the body or door/drawer of the cabinet. Paint with a good quality paint. A sprayer works wonderfully , no brush marks.
    • Michelle Po Michelle Po on Nov 07, 2016
      The beauty of the type of finish I chose is the imperfections, including brush marks are part of the charm. I did however use spray paint.
  • Linda M Guerra Hamilton Linda M Guerra Hamilton on Nov 06, 2016
    We recently painted our cabinets using Valspar cabinet paint from Lowes. It's a fairly new product, and works beautifully! It applies easily, and you cannot tell they were painted! It also comes in any color you can imagine. It's been 8 months and it looks as good as the day we did them.
  • Phil a Phil a on Nov 06, 2016
    Particle Board (MDF) is a strong material, actually heavier than real wood, often used for furniture, but has its issues. It's not as easy to repair as "real" wood as the base material is more fragile to damage, both physical and from moisture. It doesn't "take" typical putty repairs for very long. Epoxy is really the only way to strengthen the base material and build up any damage to a level that can be formed to the original shape and then smoothed and painted. If you don't have disfiguring damage, you might be able to get away with just sanding, sealing and painting the areas. For some tips on repairing MDF, check this video.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHhZ2HPEwzM ... Phil
    • San13855025 San13855025 on Nov 06, 2016
      Thank You Phil and do you know how much do I sand since its practical board and how to apply the expoy
  • Phil a Phil a on Nov 06, 2016
    The attached video should give some clues. The goal is to make the surface match the original shape. Sand with a 220 grit sanding block (sponge type), mix epoxy and build it up on defect areas. When hard, shape with sanding block to match the shape you want. Then prime with Kilz or Gripper and paint in color you want. It cannot be stained, it has to be painted to cover the repairs.
  • Rebecca Bender Rebecca Bender on Nov 07, 2016
    Santanamichelle09, Phil a is right. You need to use a oil based spray primer. Kilz 3 2 1 works great I've used it for MDF wood on dressers I've done. You need to make sure you use lights coats of primer and let it dry so you can get the wood sealed before you paint it. Remember moisture will make the particles swell, so take your time and use light coats of primer. Good luck.
  • Phil a Phil a on Nov 08, 2016
    It looks like the doors are the most damaged and it will be difficult to repair them. There is another solution you might consider. Refacing... Replace the doors with similar style door packs available in many sizes and materials at the local Home Depot or Lowe's. Or take measurements and pictures to a local cabinet maker. It might cost a bit more up front, but what is your time and reduced frustration worth? Phil
  • Elizabeth Montgomery Elizabeth Montgomery on Nov 09, 2016
    You could chalk paint and then distress them using the existing distressed areas. Chalk paint is easy to use and covers a multitude of sins so to speak. The right wax will make look awesome.
  • Marj Marj on Nov 10, 2016
    There is cabinet paint which does not require any prep. i think you can get it at Home Depot. I had awful cabinets which the landlord would not replace. I covered the doors with contact paper.
  • Sheryl Sumpter Sheryl Sumpter on Nov 10, 2016
    my first question would be - what caused this? Time or maybe pets? I ask this because my little dog has scratched my cabinet doors and your fix should take into consideration the reason for the damage.
  • Eloise Eloise on Nov 11, 2016
    I had great success using Rustoleum's Cabinet Transformation on a non-wood bathroom vanity. So easy to use. No sanding, stripping, etc. There are dark kits and light kits available. Check them out. https://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/con... http://www.rustoleum.com/en/product-catalog/c...
    • See 1 previous
    • Eloise Eloise on Dec 01, 2016

      Good luck. My daughter is doing her kitchen cabinets with Rustoleum's Cabinet Transformations in a dark color. We worked on them over Thanksgiving, and they are gorgeous! A little time intensive, but she's saving a lot of money. I wish I had taken a photo to post.

  • Helen Helen on Aug 04, 2019


    Does anyone have any pictures of the cabinets after they are finished I am currently working on some cabinets with the same problem and I don't know what to do