Wood finishing is fun and easy. Don't rush through finishing a piece of furniture as if it is a race. Imagine how it will look finished in your home in living color. Set up a good prep area. Turn on some tunes. Get creative and enjoy the journey.
Although some companies promote their products as "no prep", that is nonsense. If you skip this step the finish can fail.
General Finishes standard for a good finish is it must adhere well and stand the test of time.
1. PREP CLEANING:
Cleaning an existing finish removes dirt, grime and many common contaminants such as oil from hands. Dirt, grime, and oil prevent good adhesion causing the possibility of chipping, peeling and flaking - all signs of a failed finish.
Although some companies promote their products as "no prep," that is nonsense. If you skip this step the finish can fail. General Finishes's standard for a good finish is it must adhere well and stand the test of time.
In this latest video, Chris Adams of General Finishes shows you 7 great tips for getting the most mileage out of a leftover can of finish after use.
The most critical part of finishing a piece of furniture happens before you open a can of stain or paint - it starts with the sanding. Sanding is critical to creating a smooth surface. Use the following sanding sequences for new wood:
For wood that is going to be painted, use 120-grit, followed by 150-grit.
This response is true of prepping and existing finish on furniture, but kitchen cabinets are more problematic because they are work areas where grease, steam, food splatters and oil from hands are common. Prep is basically degreasing and abrading the surface for better adhesion. Oil or substances on hands really show up on a failed re-finish around doorknobs and hands if the surface is not cleaned thoroughly.
To prep an existing fiberglass door that has a coat of paint on it:
Never use mineral spirits to prep clean before applying water-based finishes.
You can correct this problem by cleaning again with a 50/50 mix of denatured alcohol and water.
Let your project dry 24 hours before applying water-based products.