Staining And Spray Finishing The Vanity Cabinet

I used Minwax red mahogany solvent based stain for the base colour, then sprayed on 4 coats of tinted polyurethane to deepen and enrich the colour. I topped that off with 4 more coats of clear satin polyurethane.
The sprayer I'm using is a small touchup gun that's perfect for smaller projects like this.
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[@IBuildItHome]

I used Minwax red mahogany solvent based stain for the base colour, then sprayed on 4 coats of tinted polyurethane to deepen and enrich the colour. I topped that off with 4 more coats of clear satin polyurethane. The sprayer I'm using is a small touchup gun that's perfect for smaller projects like this. Here are some ways that you can help support the work I do in making these videos: Plans for sale: www.ibuildit.ca/plans.html Patreon: www.patreon.com/user?u=865843&ty=h Website: www.ibuildit.ca/ Facebook: facebook.com/I-Build-It-258048014240900/ Instagram: instagram.com/i_build_it.ca/ Google+: plus.google.com/u/0/b/107142665853474113931/

[@GeminiWoodworks]

Do you need a large air compressor to feed that touchup gun? Or can you use a small 6 gallon compressor. Finish looks great and I'd like to replicate, without spending $500 on new equipment.

[@TjallingBlackCat]

Do you have a link/name for that touchup gun? I'm looking for something similar, but there are so many options to choose from, and I have no idea which ones are of adequate quality.

[@IBuildItHome]

I talked about the sprayer a bit in this blog post: www.ibuildit.ca/Weblog/blog-10.html It's a Walmec ES-RV. I bought it in 2011, so it may not be available anymore. Touchup guns don't need as much air as fullsize guns, so will work well with smaller compressors.

[@TjallingBlackCat]

I Build It Home Thank you for the response. I'm also not sure if that exact model is still available, but Asturo/Walmec is still around and seems to be available where I am. I'll look into their current offerings.

[@TheHandyman1]

These last 2 videos are great. I'm getting into building more cabinets. Great work

[@todlawson1263]

I love your honesty in all of your videos. You tell it like it is and if there's a mistake, you explain why you did it that way and what you learned from it. Well done, it turned out great!

[@jenniferalexander6474]

This is a valuable addition to my woodwork collection kzbin.infoUgkxbnOKZBE4evMO5V2vroHeCjq6d_MV6wJO I still will rate this woodwork plan as the best in my reference library. It always seem to stand out from the rest whenever you go through the library. This is a masterpiece.

[@TC-dw6wg]

Looks great John! As someone else wrote, I know one of the things that keeps me coming back to your videos besides the craftsmanship is your honesty and how you also show what was done to correct it.Thank You for sharing your talents with us.

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

I'm usually not a fan of darker stains because they can be difficult to pull off without a lot of blotchiness (depending on the wood, of course,) but your vanity really looks great! That tinted urethane really brought out the character in the wood and evened the tone right out. It also gave the finished end panel a real sense of depth. Reminds me of the glaze-over-stain finish jobs we did back in my cabinet shop days. I'm really enjoying this series, John. Please keep 'em coming!

[@JamesManCave]

I'm loving the new set of bathroom videos you are making, very informative and enjoyable to watch. You also seem to be happier these days, which must be down to your new active regime.

[@LegacyCraftworks]

Mmmmm, even panel gaps on a bathroom vanity. It's details like this that really sets off your work 👍

[@noeffnwaypal]

It's 4am, just got off work and watched one of your older home remodel videos. Was a rough week for sure. Wasn't sure how to message you privately so I'll throw it out for the public. I have been watching your channels a lot over the past few months. I love your approach and attitude. In addition your videos have helped me tackle a lot of home projects. I just wanted to say that I truly enjoy your videos and you'll never know how much they have helped me. Thank you for what you've done and are going to do. Keep 'em coming because you are bringing a ton of good to a lot of people. Hope you have a great holiday weekend John!!

[@Benmeglei1]

I was hoping you had plans for sale for this project. What a beautiful piece.

[@noeffnwaypal]

Your timing is perfect John. I am in the preparation stage of building my own custom vanity for my bathroom, and these videos are helping me out a lot. Thank you brother!!!

[@imortaldeadead]

Thank you for another great video, filled with good ideas we can all use👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@BigmoRivera]

Excellent Work... Everyone Makes Mistakes.👍

[@topkek_]

I've got lots of scrap wood laying around an no experience with staining, gotta give this a go!

[@Walt1119]

Another nice project John, your finish looked great! Still always enjoy your videos, and of course the tips you give along the way!!! Thanks so much for your work sharing these with us!! w.

[@nathanburt6053]

Set it on some blocks when finishing the side panels and you eliminate the possibility of contamination in your finish from prior over spray on your flat service. Also sometimes because of the 90 degree corner on the bottom spray can puddle there. So raising it off the tables will eliminate that possibility

[@benzmansl65amg]

Interesting, as always, John!

[@bentcountershaft]

I really like that color John. You've got good taste.

[@tonyb2760]

Nice work John. Looks great

[@stefany9242]

You sir are a skilled person .

[@63256325N]

Good series so far and a nice job to boot! Thanks for the video.

[@TjallingBlackCat]

Turned out very nice so far, I'm curious what it'll look like with the drawers completed. Also I'm very impressed with the consistency/evenness of your staining; it almost looks like walnut plywood.

[@ramijoelle]

Good job

[@thewelshcarpenter8925]

Nice

[@fergabmmx]

looking good

[@Magnussen92]

You've mentioned in the past that treating wood on just one side can make it warp. With a damp environment like a bathroom, will that be a problem at all? I'm guessing that the plywood is thick and stable enough so that it's a negligible change. Really love that color/stain, it looks really beautiful! Looking forward to seeing it completed.

[@IBuildItHome]

In a situation like this, the unequal coating won't have an effect that is noticeable or a problem. When the drawers are closed, which is most of the time, the cabinet is basically sealed from the outside, so major swings in humidity won't happen inside the cabinet.

[@Magnussen92]

That makes sense. Do you think it would have an effect if it was built from solid wood, or would it still be too small to matter?

[@hassleoffa]

Really nice

[@IBuildItHome]

Thanks :)

[@roncharbonneau797]

Nice Shirt!

[@woodywoodworkerfuller9921]

Nice !!!!

[@mmmmmmm8706]

Really excellent looking end result. Rounding the edges was a great touch, you won't find find that on any purchased cabinet.Your sander has a soft pad ... Is that so the edges wouldn't get messed up or do u always use the soft pad as a best practice? On the four coats of tinted poly ... I would think u wouldn't sand it before spraying the clear coats because it would dull your finish. But that's not the case ... I don't quite get that? Then, on each clear coat ... Did u sand each coat of the clear? Or do you spray each coat of clear the same and build the finish? That was awesome and well done. Can't wait to see the install and drawer fronts go in. Sorry for the ten questions.

[@loveloveiloveuforever7247]

nicely done. is this moisture resistant mdf a new product? i've not seen it before. how resistant to moisture is it?

[@RickScherfDrywall]

So did you abandon the router table build or just taking care of some things around the house in the meantime? That vanity is looking really nice, these bathroom videos are helpful

[@bklynwam]

Great video what kind of stain and poly did you apply water or oil?

[@mus260hcc8]

I love this video! I am trying to figure out how to darken stain on cabinets and this was my answer. Did you create the mixture you sprayed on or is that something you purchased? If you created it, what is in it? Percentages?

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Really nice John, beautiful finish. What veneer is the particle board, just softwood? Grain looks great.

[@IBuildItHome]

Thanks, it's maple.

[@harpboysdiy7720]

Two questions: Any videos on your Hitachi zero clearance miter saw insert? What is the brand and color of stain? Thanks

[@DIYBuilds]

Westeros table!

[@IBuildItHome]

Booo... hisss... :)

[@DIYBuilds]

don't make me send you emails about that table! hop to it sir! lol

[@cejkwo100]

Not going to stain the toe kick?

[@IBuildItHome]

It gets covered with tile - the bathroom has a tile base.

[@jaimedpcaus1]

What's the name of that hand tool to round the edge of the board? Thanks

[@kenk2345]

In a humid environment like a bathroom, wouldn't there also be value in applying Polyurethane to the interior unfinished wood surfaces?

[@IBuildItHome]

There's always a value in it, but not much of one in this instance.

[@Traderjoe]

John, if it turns out that you need to make the drawers out of square, how do you do that to make it look right? Is there a technique you'll show?

[@IBuildItHome]

Not the drawers, just the drawer fronts.

[@woodscrew5612]

What size air compressor do you use to be able to spray well?

[@treborupp]

Just for GP John what air pressure re you using in that touch up gun? Great video

[@Ash16081]

Do you need to thin the poly?

[@mickdog2]

is that gun pretty easy to clean and adjust?

[@WorkingWood]

Great work John, I might have to pick up a small compressor for spray finish like that. One question though, did you apply any finish to the inside to prevent warping of the plywood or is that not an issue with particle core plywood?

[@IBuildItHome]

Thanks Graham. No finish on the inside since this is just a drawer cabinet and warping won't be a problem.

[@affromma]

Can I assume you used solvent-based PU? Are you a fan of water-based PU?

[@drodfastdj]

What was that tool you used to make the rounded edge?

[@doeeyes394]

What color stain is he using??

[@tonymartin8632]

Do you think the poly with mineral?

[@joeychgo]

Im just curious why you didnt paint/poly the inside of the vanity first?

[@IkesThePyro]

joeychgo It's going to be drawers, you won't be able to see the inside.

[@jevintai520]

what size compressor do you use with your spray gun?

[@6stringsandapick]

Some folks say to at least seal the insides of cabinets for long term durability. What are your thoughts on this?

[@IBuildItHome]

There's usually one thing in each video that several viewers latch onto and comment about, and generally it has very little to do with what is happening in the video. The "paint the inside of the cabinet" is it for this one, and I've already answered it at least 3 times :) Basically, I don't see it as an issue for a cabinet like this made from this material. It only has drawers that will stay closed for 99.9% of the time, and that essentially seals the cabinet from the outside. I treat this the same as if it were a free standing dresser with drawers, or a bank of drawers in a kitchen.

[@6stringsandapick]

Would there be a reason to finish the inside if it were another material like a solid wood?

[@MRrwmac]

John, very nice work thanks for sharing. I like that little touch up sprayer you were using. I'll have to try to find one. Does it require a lot of cleanup after using it?

[@IBuildItHome]

The smaller size makes cleanup quicker. I rinse the cup it with varsol after dumping out the rest of the finish, then follow that up with lacquer thinner. I normally leave some lacquer thinner in the gun between uses.

[@MRrwmac]

I Build It Home So you just change the cup to a cleaner, spray it a bit and that's it? Sounds good to me. I like easy. Got to find one. Any idea of the name on it? Thanks John. Cabinets looks great!

[@IBuildItHome]

Thanks Mac. I talked about the sprayer a bit in this blog post: www.ibuildit.ca/Weblog/blog-10.html It's a Walmec ES-RV. I bought it in 2011, so it may not be available anymore.

[@ghosttoo7467]

Do you make your own biscuit

[@craigchingren-hamann9700]

In your blog you wrote about wanting an aluminum vs plastic bottle for your paint gun. Can you elaborate on what makes one more advantageous than the other?

[@UberAlphaSirus]

Craig Chingren-Hamann Aluminium ones are easier to keep clean.

[@craigchingren-hamann9700]

Thanks Sirus. I had kinda figured that was why. Just wondered if there was something else there.

[@craigchingren-hamann9700]

Any suggestions on brands to look for in paint sprayers since the one he used is no longer available?

[@harpboysdiy7720]

Never mind stain color. In the description.

[@jamesrawlings8493]

How much air pressure is needed for the small spray gun you used?

[@IBuildItHome]

40psi

[@muh1h1]

i was wondering wheather you could actually spray on the stain... Have you ever tried that?

[@IBuildItHome]

I've tried it and it can produce a more even coverage, but it's easier just to wipe it on like I did.

[@MRrwmac]

I Build It Home I like to wipe it on also. Seems like I have more control over the stain.

[@PhilepZ]

more fun in the bathroom? i'm married, i dont think my wife will approve if i have fun in the bathroom with you! great video, good tips like as always.

[@webosm6494]

Are my eyes deceiving me or is that particle board? I heard you say plywood a few times.

[@noeffnwaypal]

Watch his last posted video where he is just talking while tearing out the old vanity. He explains that in his own way...

[@nemo4907]

Did he forget to stain the toe kick?

[@IBuildItHome]

Who are you talking to? The other people that only comment to point out what they think is a mistake?

[@nemo4907]

I Build It Home The actual toe kick is probably a separate stained piece or are you using tile as the kick? By the way, that's the same method I used to build my kitchen pantry cabinet. If you never see the panel butted up against another cabinet it doesn't matter what it looks like.

[@SirBenJamin_]

Those crickets have no respect.

[@darrannewman7113]

Agh it crashed.

[@darrannewman7113]

Not you John the video wouldnt play, all sorted now , great instruction on how to achieve the best finish on your carcase.