OPTIONS & MATERIALS
There are many different options, materials and techniques available when it comes to refinishing a surface. Even though most of the chemicals can be applied by rolling and brushing it can be noted that all good finishes really need to be sprayed to attain evenness and to avoid brush or roller marks.
In the past several years we have been painting and staining and doing other fine finishes, we have seen trends come and go. 10 years ago cabinets were mostly stained Espresso color. Immediately as the Espresso phase waned, ‘white’ became "in", everyone wanted a white kitchen! After white, came the ‘greys’, this still continues today. Who knows what will be next.
We have many different finishing options for many different types of surfaces.
In terms of understanding finishes, surfaces and different options, here is a brief description
Finishes
SHEENS:
Sheen is a measure of the reflected light (glossiness) from a paint finish. Glossy and flat (or matte) are typical extreme levels of glossiness of a finish. Glossy paints are shiny and reflect most light in the specular (mirror-like) direction, while on flat paints most of the light diffuses in a range of angles. Between those extremes, there are a number of intermediate gloss levels. Their common names, from the most dull to the most shiny, include matte, eggshell, satin, silk, semi-gloss and high gloss. These terms are not standardized, and not all manufacturers use all these terms.
STAIN:
These are translucent finishes, where the base color bleeds through. In old days, and in fine furnishings, the first or ‘base’ coat would be something striking, like Amber, almost neon, on it’s own, then another coat of stain would go over it, and this ‘layering’ would give life, dimension, and depth to the article being stained.
Water based stains are very good these days, there are stains that are also designed for exterior, which have UV stabilization, we will also use those in homes with lot’s of windows to minimize fading from the sun. The process of staining usually also includes a toning process. Since doors are made of many pieces of wood, that means a kitchen can be a mixture of many woods, from different climates, and although they are the same species, may in fact be all different colors when put together, even if the exact same process was used. This is where we tone everything to blend the color.
PAINT:
This is a wide net terminology. First of all everything in California must be low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) or ‘low fumes’. As it turns out, most of the projects over the past couple of decades, has gone into water based finishes that might be even better than the solvent based finishes, at this point. Solvent and oll based finishes have a tendency to yellow over time, and water based do not have the same degree of yellowing.
GLAZING:
Glazing is a process to ad translucent, dramatic color lines, or shading, after the initial staining or painting process. For instance, if you have Maple, which doesn’t have much grain, and is a little darker in stain color, you may want to add glazing to enhance a grain look. Even on stain, this will enhance the grain pattern if applied correctly. Glazing has been used to even make paint look like stain, and to enhance detail lines on hand rails and cabinet doors and moldings.
MULTISPEC:
Like the colors in nature, Multispec Stone Accents are dimensional and contain individual flecks of different colors, subtly blended to create the illusion of depth and texture of natural stones. Stone Accents are easily applied in a one-coat finish.
Stone Accents are attractive and functional. Use this tough, long-wearing protective finish on walls, floors, architectural and structural features, or on decorative accessories. Multispec Stone Accents complex multicolors are excellent for hiding surface imperfections or disguising unattractive building materials like cinderblock.
For interior or exterior use, Multispec Stone Accents is perfect for walls, ceilings, trim, backsplashes, countertops, even foundations.
EPOXY:
Epoxy countertops are a popular choice when a refinishing project is necessary because of the durability of the resin. It can resist scratching and stains as well, if not better, than most surface material which get used in the kitchen or bathroom today. If you like the idea of having a glossy, polished surface for your kitchen or bathroom, then an epoxy countertop is the perfect choice to consider. It is difficult to find a product that will give you as much shine for your money as this one. Epoxies tolerate most common household cleaners and chemicals without having its luster fade. You can use it with Formica, laminate, ceramic, metal, concrete, and wood surfaces with great success.
In general, epoxies are known for their excellent adhesion, chemical and heat resistance and good-to-excellent mechanical properties, that makes them durable and strong materials for kitchen counters, vanities, floors etc...It is a heat-resistant product when correctly installed. If you have an epoxy countertop in your home, then you can set a hot pan or dish on the surface without worrying about damage occurring to it. This counter option is resilient enough to make sure that your investment will continue to hold value.
Epoxy resin, mixed with pigment may be used as a painting medium, by pouring layers on top of each other to form a complete picture. You don’t need to stop with just the countertops when using an epoxy finish either. This product works with your floors and walls to give them a new look as well. That is why it is one of the most innovative refinishing systems that is on the market today.
There is an unlimited design potential with an epoxy countertop.
Epoxy countertops provide you with the most overall versatility when you begin the work of designing your kitchen, bathroom, or other interior spaces. You can use almost any pattern or color when working with this product. That means you have the chance to replicate the look of marble or granite at a fraction of the price of the natural stone.
It is a food-safe, non-toxic surface option for countertops.
RAPTOR:
One of the most overlooked materials out there.
Raptor bed liner started out as an easy way for truck owners to protect their cargo area, but it’s grown to be much more than that. Today, Raptor liner is in use in all kinds of industries and applications, from automotive restoration, off-roaders, marine, agricultural, and even with heavy equipment. Raptor liner is durable and tough paint-on protective coating with various uses. It forms a barrier that withstands all types of weather and physical abuse. Once installed, it dries into an ultra-hard coating that can protect bare metal from chips, scratches, and the inevitable rust that comes along with it. What separates them from competing products is the look and feel. Raptor can be tinted to any color and there are lots of uses, basically most surfaces you want to protect from any wear and tear. Just keep in mind there are some rougher textures produced from the coating, but that’s only to help protect from weather, high and low temperatures, and all the elements.
Surfaces
FIBERGLASS REGLAZING
Common applications: bathtubs and walls, sinks
Fiberglass feels and sounds like hollow “plastic” when you knock on it. It is a composite of several different materials cast in a single piece. It is versatile and can be used for many different shapes and sizes.
PORCELAIN REFINISHING
Common applications: bathtubs
Porcelain feels hard and cold to the touch and, when you knock on it, it sounds like it is a heavy, thick metal under the usually white finish.
PRESSED STEEL REGLAZING
Common applications: bathtubs and sinks
This fixture material feels cold to the touch. The sound when knocking on it indicates a somewhat thin, hard, hollow metal. The name is from the structural black metallic material that is used to make the form of the fixture by putting a heated sheet of steel in a mold under heavy pressure. Then it is coated with a porcelain-like, oven-baked finish. It is the same material seen in gas stoves. One particular characteristic of this material is that heavy impacts produce chipping of the finish that leaves black oval or round dents.
CULTURED MARBLE REGLAZING
Common applications: bathtubs, walls, sinks, jacuzzi
Cultured marble is a manmade, heavy, plastic, resinous material, that looks like natural stone but upon touching it you notice its temperature is not as cold or as warm as a natural stone would be under similar circumstances. It tends to stay slightly warmer than the air in the room. If you knock on it, the sound it gives out is duller than natural stone, it almost sounds like wood.
ACRYLIC REFINISHING
Common applications: bathtubs, jacuzzi
This plastic resin material is more difficult to identify since its surface feels and looks like most finishes applied to fiberglass fixtures. With acrylic, you can build thinner fixtures than with fiberglass BUT they are usually thicker! To identify it completely it is necessary to break, cut, or burn part of it. For our reglazing purposes, we treat it as if it were fiberglass.
FORMICA REGLAZING
Common applications: bathroom and kitchen countertops
The material is a thin sheet of hard and heat-resistant plastic resin that is glued onto the wood as a veneer. Formica is usually used on surfaces that get wet or need repetitive moist cleaning like on countertops, vanities, tables, etc.