07/20/2026
Why details matter behind finished doors 👇
Not all wood is treated equal, and knowing how to prep each material is the difference between custom cabinets that look good today vs. cabinets that last for decades. Here’s a quick peek into our process on this build:
🌊 Marine-Grade Plywood Boxes:
We applied a UV exterior sealer to the interior only. For the exterior? We left it breathable. Since it’ll be fully covered by the countertops and exterior painted panels, keeping one side breathable ensures that if moisture ever finds its way in, the wood can naturally release it without trapping mold or causing rot.
🪵 Sapele Wood Prep:
Sapele is insanely dense, which makes it gorgeous—but tough for primer to stick to. To get maximum adhesion: We thinned down 094 primer by 20% so it penetrates deep into the grain. Sanded it back down.
Applied a second full coat.
Why two coats? Thinning primer breaks down its bond slightly, so coat #1 secures the deep bond into the wood, and coat #2 creates the perfect smooth base layer for paint.
Extra work? Absolutely. Worth it? 100%. 🛠️✨
Save this for your next custom build!
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