Before I could finish, I needed to buy the screen molding. Another trip to the home improvement store.
I also needed to install the plugs to hide the screw holes on the backside of the doors. There are 24 holes to plug.
I inserted my first plug and it did not fit. It would not go in the hole deep enough to make it flush with the frame. Not even close. My next DIYer decision. How was I going to shorten the plug to fit? A hand tree pruner? Yes, I thought about it. The grinder worked for the panels. It could work for the plugs. After grinding inserting and gluing all the plugs, sanding could start.
Starting and finishing with 220 grit sandpaper on my Sears Craftman® random orbital sander, sanding of the frames was complete. Misaligned joints and edges were now even. The plugs were flush. In fact, I really like the look of the plugs. They looked like a design feature.
I needed to test the stain color. Would it be Golden Oak or Provincial Oak? I had both stains from prior projects. It was Golden Oak! However, the grain on the frames was more evident than the grain on the panels. Somehow, some way the cabinets were finished to mute the grain of the wood. Most of you are probably wondering what the heck I am writing about. Grain that is more evident? Muted grain?
I searched the Internet for “muting red oak grain,” and I found some results. Use wood conditioner. Use sanding sealer. Use shellac first. Use water-based stain. Add color to the polyurethane. Use white oak instead. Too late for that idea. Not wanting to buy any of these products and if they did not work, I would be stuck keeping them on my all-ready full paint shelf.
Maybe after 30 years, the finish on our cabinets might have discolored. I did not want to refinish the panels and I did not want to refinish the cabinets. I did not want to bring that mess to our kitchen. The reason for this trial run was to get this all figured out before I did our kitchen.
I explained my dilemma to Efiwym (remember, my wife), and I got the “puzzled” look. She told me I was making a big deal out of nothing. That was like the seal of approval. If she thought it was not a big deal, maybe it was not a big deal. Time to stain the doors.
Staining and finishing the doors went as well as the routing of the frames. All coats were applied with a cloth. No brushes to clean between coats. At the same time, I spray painted the hinges and screws. The hinges were hung on a string and the screws were pushed through a cardboard box to help with the spray painting. Success without any drama.
The finishing is done. Ready for assembly…