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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: krisandkev on August 20, 2015, 03:55:16 PM

Title: How to repair bathroom vanity
Post by: krisandkev on August 20, 2015, 03:55:16 PM

I know, this is not travel related, well sort of is....  ;D

I need to complete some repairs on our house before we head off for 12 months in December.  Our wooden cabinet in our bathroom needs repairs to the timber finish.  Does anyone know if I can just paint something over the patches?  Please see photos below, but the varnish has lifted in places.  Or does it require a full strip back.  I would rather not go to that much trouble as I am not that handy with timber finishes.  With thanks for any input.  Kevin

(http://images1.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp93232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv33%3A%3C2%3Enu%3D6%3A%3B%3A%3E598%3E24%3A%3EWSNRCG%3D375535635733%3Bnu0mrj)

(http://images1.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp93232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv36753%3Enu%3D6%3A%3B%3A%3E598%3E24%3A%3EWSNRCG%3D375534%3C6%3B933%3Bnu0mrj)

(http://images1.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp93232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv377%3B7%3Enu%3D3755%3E268%3E4%3B%3B%3E28462685%3A%3C24%3Aot1lsi)

Title: Re: How to repair bathroom vanity
Post by: prado2004 on August 20, 2015, 04:02:07 PM

full strip back would be best, but you could just give it a light sand and either paint it or just varnish over the top.

Title: Re: How to repair bathroom vanity
Post by: MDS69 on August 20, 2015, 08:00:28 PM

Can't see why you couldn't give it a light sand all over and heavier where the varnish has lifted and feather back to the good stuff then paint with a suitable paint

Title: Re: How to repair bathroom vanity
Post by: edz on August 21, 2015, 12:29:57 PM

Just oil or wax the bare timber to seal it  and tell people its an antique that you picked up .. ...  ;D

Title: Re: How to repair bathroom vanity
Post by: #jonesy on August 21, 2015, 06:42:35 PM

Quote from: MDS69 on August 20, 2015, 08:00:28 PM

Can't see why you couldn't give it a light sand all over and heavier where the varnish has lifted and feather back to the good stuff then paint with a suitable paint

I'd go along this line and give it a couple of coats of polyurethane (varnish) just depends on how the timber looks after a sand.  If you wet the bare timber it will give you a rough idea of how it will look with poly on top.

Although a full strip is the best but the grooves would make it a PITA.
You could sand all the flat areas to bare timber and coat the whole thing.

Title: Re: How to repair bathroom vanity
Post by: Redcherokee on August 21, 2015, 10:22:45 PM

Quote from: edz on August 21, 2015, 12:29:57 PM

Just oil or wax the bare timber to seal it  and tell people its an antique that you picked up .. ...  ;D

I didn't want to admit this, but I had some cupboards just starting to have the same problem.  A couple of applications of WoodWipe oil, and they now look like new. Just one tiny area that has only come back to 99%.  I can live with that.

Title: Re: How to repair bathroom vanity
Post by: Slipus on August 22, 2015, 07:53:26 AM

Hi Guys,

I you are going away for 12 months then the sand and varnish option is best.  Oil and wax are a OK option but needs redoing regularly to stop the timber deteriorating to a state where the cupboard needs replacing.

If you sand it make sure to sand with the grain not across it.  Be careful if you chose poly urethane as it is toxic and takes a few days to dry.  Once dry it is hard wearing.

I would use quality varnish

When I was a cabinet maker, we used a matt finish for first few coats and then finished with a high gloss to give it a lot of depth.  In between each coat give it a light rub over with steel wool to give a better finish.