[gil_happy]

Hello,

I am currently in the final stages of renovating our condo and I have a question about replacement cabinet fronts. I have attached a number of pictures from my bathroom cabinets that are approximately 20 years old and you can see the plastic is peeling on many of the drawer faces and on the top of the cabinet doors (see attached pictures).

My question is how best to repair or replace these? Should I try and find pre-constructed ones that are painted white from the factory? Can this plastic be taken off then painted?

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated as I have 2 bathrooms that both have this problem.

Thanks in advance!

 

[carpdad]

I think that is called thermo-foil. Search this forum or try youtube. I've seen one video. But often, the door/cabinet material is low quality mdf and the trouble of scraping off the foil probably isn't worth the next step of finishing the cabinets. I never worked on it but have read that if foil is delaminating on one spot, whole cabinets are ready to do the same.

 

[Jeekinz]

You can buy custom cabinet doors online. One of my customers had that issue, I built new matching doors.

 

[mark sr]

Can this plastic be taken off then painted?

Yes and I've done so before. It won't look as good as new but should look better than peeling thermo foil. A lot can depend on what the door is constructed off. If it's particle board I wouldn't even try.

Personally I would build new doors and drawer fronts although I know that's not an option for everyone.

 

[gil_happy]

carpdad - thanks for this.... you are correct - these cabinets are builder's grade, so replacing the fronts is probably the best option.

Jeekinz - thanks for sending over the pictures... the before and after look great. I won't be able to build new faces, but any suggestions where to buy affordable cabinet faces?

mark sr - thanks for this. I think these are particle board cabinets. Unfortunately I don't have the skills (or tools) to build new ones, so it is probably best to just purchase new faces.

 

[carpdad]

Search local cabinet makers. Google "cabinet door replacement near me". Even homedepot seems to do it. Local will be least risky, example, any damage during shipping. Homedepot quality can be very low or higher cost. Homedepot does not mean value or cheap. Local maker can also visit to see and measure the cabinets esp since type and where for hinges. Since you're keeping the cabinets, paint would be the option, imo. Not foil again. I wouldn't mix foil with stain finish. Ask about what kind of paint then come back to verify with painters/experienced in the forum. I don't know any more past it.
Maybe chance for other knobs. I'm starting to like oiled bronze, example.

 

[gil_happy]

Search local cabinet makers. Google "cabinet door replacement near me". Even homedepot seems to do it. Local will be least risky, example, any damage during shipping. Homedepot quality can be very low or higher cost. Homedepot does not mean value or cheap. Local maker can also visit to see and measure the cabinets esp since type and where for hinges. Since you're keeping the cabinets, paint would be the option, imo. Not foil again. I wouldn't mix foil with stain finish. Ask about what kind of paint then come back to verify with painters/experienced in the forum. I don't know any more past it.
Maybe chance for other knobs. I'm starting to like oiled bronze, example.

Thank you for this.... Actually, I believe I have found a local company that can build me RTF cabinet door and drawers for a very good price. Since this is rental, I'm ok with it being RTF since our other bathroom is just as old (20 years), but does not have any peeling.