How to tell if cabinets are real wood or laminate?
#1
02-26-17, 02:46 PM
How to tell if cabinets are real wood or laminate?
I'm planning to paint our kitchen cabinets and I need to determine weather they are real wood or laminate. When I run my hand on the doors however, they feel pretty rough in some spots, it's not smooth at all. The cabinet doors under the sink have sustained minor damage over the years, I can see through to the wood under. The sides of the cabinets however, are very smooth and look shiny and feel just slightly rougher than our laminate counters. Responses are welcome!
#2
02-26-17, 03:38 PM
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#3
02-26-17, 05:34 PM
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As said pictures would help. Most manufactured cabinets have two options for sides, plywood or furniture board/melamine.
The plywood will have real wood veneer with grain and visible layers on the ends. Furniture board will be smooth and might be a different color on the inside.
You can also look at the shelf pin holes, you can tell whether they were drilled in plywood or MDF.
The plywood will have real wood veneer with grain and visible layers on the ends. Furniture board will be smooth and might be a different color on the inside.
You can also look at the shelf pin holes, you can tell whether they were drilled in plywood or MDF.
#4
02-27-17, 03:08 AM
http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...-pictures.html
For a long lasting paint job on cabinets proper prep and selection of coatings is critical - http://www.doityourself.com/forum/pa...t-repaint.html
For a long lasting paint job on cabinets proper prep and selection of coatings is critical - http://www.doityourself.com/forum/pa...t-repaint.html
#6
02-27-17, 01:28 PM
(Front of doors under sink, ignore the missing handles I was trying to determine the material via the screws)
(Up close of damage)
(Side of cabinet)
(Up close of side)
#8
02-27-17, 04:07 PM
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Your cabinets are typical middle grade, which is OK. The door frame is solid maple, nice hardwood.
The door panels are 1/4" maple plywood.
The sides are what is called furniture board/particle board/MDF. It looks like 1/2" melamine and has the same look as melamine.
I will refer the painting and priming to others. The doors are real wood and can be painted or finished natural.
The side melamine has a very thin top layer and only needs cleaned, scuffed lightly and primed.
The melamine cannot be sanded aggressively, it's like paper.
The door panels are 1/4" maple plywood.
The sides are what is called furniture board/particle board/MDF. It looks like 1/2" melamine and has the same look as melamine.
I will refer the painting and priming to others. The doors are real wood and can be painted or finished natural.
The side melamine has a very thin top layer and only needs cleaned, scuffed lightly and primed.
The melamine cannot be sanded aggressively, it's like paper.
#9
02-27-17, 05:43 PM
Just out of curiosity, IF i did aggressively sand it like wood i'm assuming the wood under would peak through, but wouldn't that provide a stronger bond of the paint?
#10
02-28-17, 03:45 AM
Melamine isn't real wood, it's a man made substance. No need to aggressively sand it. A scuff sanding is all that is needed. An oil base or pigmented shellac primer will adhere fine with just a scuff sanding. The only aggressive sanding you'll need to do is on the doors where the finish is peeling.
