I see a few reviewers have mentioned sanding and/or applying varnish to this. Is that necessary?
592349
It depends on the look you are going for. Some of the pieces are quite rough and do benefit from sanding. They do recommend oil, and some pieces have a lot of oil already on them. But I wanted a more durable finish on it that would be easy to clean, and since I do not use the top to prepare food (I have a great big cutting board for that) my husband went with a polyurethane finish. I love it. It is very smooth and well protected. It is also easy to clean.
592350
No it comes with oil. If you really need then request catskill to send you two bottle of oil will be better then varnish.
592351
it does say in the instructions not to varnish or use polyurethane. They recommend an oil to rub it down to keep the wood conditioned and it doesn't affect your food. I live in the west where it's dry so I keep mine oiled. I love it.
592352
It depends on what look you are going for. I personally like it unfinished. As for the clean up, there are a lot of natural solutions that will preserve the integrity of the wood without ruining it. Although I wouldn't recommend handling raw meat on it.
1686335
Definitely before. Sanding will aid in pieces fitting well together. I recommend fine sandpaper with a gentle stroke. This wood is almost like cardboard. This furniture has incredible potential, but only for one with patient hands. Success is found in the one doing the work, not the product. Meaning the product is only as good as the user. Good luck. This stuff is cute if assemblied properly.
691363
cleaner and polish. Use the Cleaner first, or the Finish product will not leave a good look.
2119351
The color is very close. It would thinking painting would work if you sand the finish sufficiently before assembly.... Sounds like a lot of work though.
363133
You would be better off using a drip-less paint remover and then sanding after the paint has been removed. You would use a lot of disks as the paint has a tendency to clog them.
2260826
The finish is rather nice and very durable. But one must keep in mind that it is wood. And just like all wood products, it can be damaged if abused. If scratches and nicks are a concern, perhaps some type of covering should be used to keep the finish flawless?
1713413
It's pretty well sealed. You'd have to sand it first for a good result. I thought about doing the same but never enough time :-)
1941715
It is painted. I am sure it could be sanded but it would be better to just get one plain and do it yourself. It is such a nice board it would Be a shame to redo it.
26820
You could paint. Or better to sand lightly, remove dust w tack cloth & stain&varnish.;
486455
You won't need to patch it, just make sure to sand it down and then follow the application directions.
1372781
slight varnish. However it doesn't interfere with any application. I've done the same as what you are wanting to do with good results.
1601719
Actually, I really had to sand a lot to get the varnish off. Then the stain didn't sock up very well. I stained and sanded then stained and sanded several times. Finishing varnishing 3 times and sanding in between.
1809671
You use the wet sandpaper included in the kit. Sand out all dings and spend the time to send the light smooth. Mine turned out like new.
628906
I think you could paint it, with a primer. It's a little like veneer, so paint might not go on well by itself. It's a sturdy unit, but dings and chips easily. A good strong paint would improve it a lot.
968970
I suppose so, but I don't think you can sand and stain the side panels, which are like wood-look (but not really!) masonite. I think it would be more bother than it's worth, frankly. You'd be better off painting it. (I used to be a painter, by the way, so you're getting professional advice here) :-)
1867435
I personally haven't but with a little light sanding and a primer I think it would do fine. It's really NOT as bad as it looks once you get it assembled. I swear. But I do think it would be fine, ESP with one of those new plastic spray paints
1945614
Depending upon the intricacy of the detail, a soft toothbrush or a fine acrylic paint brush.Use sparingly, a little go a long way. It can be buffed out with a fine brush also.