mickit

I need advice as to how to finish a project. I'm looking for a high gloss, "plastic" looking finish for a wall length cabinet system, one end which will be a corner desk.The carcass will be china birch, paint grade, with poplar face frame , doors and drawer fronts. There will be no visible hardware(concealed hinges, and routed finger pull drawers). The color has not yet been decided, though wood grain is not in the plan. Definitely will be a paint finish. I do not have spray capability, I'll have to use brush, roller or wipe on..
I've got very little finishing experience, the last thing was a water bed frame, finished with a propane torch and brush on urethane, and that was a looong time ago.
I need it to be moisture resistant, as it will be in front of a window, likely to have house plants on top. I've considered formica or the like, but the boss says no.
Any suggestions?

cabinetman

With what your parameters are, I would use an oil base enamel thinned with VM&P Naptha, instead of mineral spirits. It will have a longer open time and will flow out well. I would use the best natural bristle brush you can afford, preferably badger hair.

mickit

Searched the VM&P Naptha...think I can do that. Multiple coats, with sanding? Like I said, I have not finished a piece for a long time. Most of what I build these days is for utility(shop use) or shipping(crates) I work around wood, not with it...

Leo G

The High gloss enamel is a good idea. Depending on the gloss level you want you will probably end up doing a sand and polish finish. Time consuming and tedious. But the results are what you are looking for. Ultra shiny and plastic looking. If you are going for the mirror finish I would suggest using MDF as a substrate. That way you can start out with a dead flat surface. It will make for a heavy cabinet but it will shine like a mirror.

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Tony B

If you want a "Plastic" looking finish use the cheapest polyurethane you can get your hands on. It will soon yellow in the sunlight.
If on the other hand, you meant a glass-like finish, then do what Cabinetman says.

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Tony B

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mickit

Tony I stand corrected...the finish needs to look like new plastic, years from now...glass like is definitely what I've been requested to produce.
While on the subject, the top will have at least two joints in it, how best to make them invisible? I'm thinking bevel and fill, but I'm open to suggestions.