Materials for replacing cabinet doors

[Berta]

What I saw was wood grain outer with MDF core. I will see if I can grab a picture.

 

[chris_goris]

Jumping in here re: MDF vs wood cabinet doors: I have been making my frames with 3/4" poplar and the flat panels from double clear coated 1/2" maple plywood. I actually sand the ply and rabbit the edges before spray painting (2 oil based primers and 2 semi gloss SW Emerald). However I'm wondering if I shouldn't simply be using MDF for both the frames and panels. My thinking is that I'd have less worry about the poplar frames bowing/twisting. Does anyone have an opinion on this?

Avoid that at all cost. youll spend more time trying to seal the cut MDF stiles and rails. I would , however recommend using soft $$ (or hard $$$) maple instead of Poplar. The finish and stability is far superior to poplar. I have heard that HDF is good for machining and painting, but I have never found a source in the retail market locally to even try it. I believe it is what most cabinet companies use today, not MDF.

 

[Leonard]

Chris, Thanks for the response. I also can't find a local source for HDF and I think you are right about all the effort to get the edges of MDF smooth enough for paint. As far as poplar verses maple goes I'm sure maple is a bit better but honestly I'v built and painted cabinets for many years, all with poplar face frames and door frames and I'm still happy with them. Perhaps that's because I take them to 220 before priming , 2 coats, as well as 320 before the Emerald goes on. Again at least two spray coats with 320 in between. Now I'm seeing people saying the SW Gallery Series is even better than Emerald. I'll probably try it soon.

 

[chris_goris]

I too sand the maple to 220 pre primer. The issue ive seen and its glaring , is seeing grain in poplar. where as the maple is glass smooth.

 

[Willemjm]

Jumping in here re: MDF vs wood cabinet doors: I have been making my frames with 3/4" poplar and the flat panels from double clear coated 1/2" maple plywood. I actually sand the ply and rabbit the edges before spray painting (2 oil based primers and 2 semi gloss SW Emerald). However I'm wondering if I shouldn't simply be using MDF for both the frames and panels. My thinking is that I'd have less worry about the poplar frames bowing/twisting. Does anyone have an opinion on this?

Some of the really high end expensive cabinet manufacturers make their painted doors from HDF. The reason being that there is no seasonal expansion and shrinking, causing tiny paint separation lines where the cope and stick meets. The construction is same as five piece wooden doors. They are superior quality, we have never had an issue with them

Also, for a 15% price reduction, the cases are made from "furniture board" which is really modern particle board. This material is not like old or imported particle board, the finish laminations are high quality and the product is dense. Once installed, most customers will never know the difference.

 

[Willemjm]

I too sand the maple to 220 pre primer. The issue ive seen and its glaring , is seeing grain in poplar. where as the maple is glass smooth.

I use 150 pre primer. The primer we use with a single coat fully fills the sanding marks. The primer is sanded with 120 drywall sanding blocks, which goes exceptionally fast and the top coat again seals any sanding block marks.