Finishes

mckincb · 07-26-2001, 08:51 AM

I have just finished the construction of a custom cabinet to house home entertainment equipment. The person I made the cabinet for wants a white finish so that she can come back in the future and paint custom designs on the cabinet. I used an oil base primer on the cabinet last night. I assumed that the oil base primer would seal the pine up better than a water based primer as to give the woodwork a smoother more refined finish. I was told this morning that you must use a water based paint in this situation for the future designs and that water based paint will not stick to the oil based primer.

The question I have is: What is the best finish to use in this situation and is there a water based paint out there that will adhere to the oil based primer that I have already used?

**woodchuck1954** · 07-26-2001, 02:02 PM

The person you talked to doesn't know squat. You get a better seal and adhesion from what you used. Sand it with 220 grit,to get rid of flaws and start painting. The only time not to use oil primer,is on sheetrock.

mckincb · 07-26-2001, 02:10 PM

Thanks Woodchuck. The question now is: can I paint the cabinet with a water based paint after I sand down the primer to a smooth finish?

**Lou_williams** · 07-26-2001, 03:08 PM

Yes, you can use water based, milk paint, oil based. If you want to top coat a clear finish over the paint. Something I would recomend is Automotive Acrilic Lacquer. It is very clear and goes over paint well. This would give a finish that has the color you want with the level of gloss you control with the rub out.

Any decorative painting could be right on top of this.

Lou