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Old 03-08-2017, 07:06 PM   #1
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painting the "woodwork" and cabinet doors?

I hate the look of fake wood. I hate oak. So as much as I love the Escape 5th wheel overall and as close as I am to buying one, I hate the Escape 5th wheel cabinetry and case exteriors (is that the right term?). I have found previous discussions where someone wanted to paint it but none where anyone actually did paint it and then evaluate the results over time. Any suggestions about painting? Anyone have the specs for these interior materials, including whatever kind of varnish is on the doors, so that I can look up, elsewhere, exactly what paints are safe for exactly these materials? I need to factor this information into my budgeting decisions as I contemplate buying the 5th wheel.
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Old 03-08-2017, 07:40 PM   #2
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I always found the look of natural grain in wood to be attractive, perhaps sanding and another stain, lighter perhaps. To paint virgin oak that is new and undamaged seems puzzling. Have you been inside an Escape and inspected the fine wooden cabinet doors, made with solid oak?. Scamps have more fiberglass and pressed wood cabinet doors which paining would improve, but solid oak doors have their beauty in the finish.
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Old 03-08-2017, 07:56 PM   #3
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See if Escape will install unfinished cabinets
(NO stain , sealer , varnish or lacquer.)
Then you can prime and paint the cabinets without a bunch of prep work.
I prefer the look of stained oak but we're talking about your trailer not mine so go for it.
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Old 03-08-2017, 08:22 PM   #4
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I hate oak. I hate the grain so just changing the color with stain is no solution for me. And I dislike the mismatch between the oak doors and the fake vinyl-faced stuff around them.
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Old 03-08-2017, 08:23 PM   #5
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Asking for them to leave the woodwork unfinished is an excellent idea!
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Old 03-08-2017, 08:28 PM   #6
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Any poly paint will adhere to the woodwork. You would want to apply a good primer first, sand to remove the grain, and then paint. We are talking a considerable amount of work - there is a lot of woodwork in a 5.0.

You might want to contact Escape to see if they would apply the finish prior to installing the woodwork in the trailer. A painted finish trailer would definitely be a first.
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Old 03-08-2017, 08:42 PM   #7
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Heheh, maybe a first for Escape, but not for others....ever see the inside of a Romany vardo?
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Old 03-08-2017, 08:47 PM   #8
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Check out Sarandipity's thread: http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8...shed-7042.html

It may (or may not) have the information you're seeking but you may be able to exchange information with Sara regarding her thoughts post-renovation.
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Old 03-08-2017, 08:49 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lagom View Post
I hate oak. I hate the grain so just changing the color with stain is no solution for me. And I dislike the mismatch between the oak doors and the fake vinyl-faced stuff around them.
The walls and ceilings of our 1800 sg ft cabin are covered in T&G oak ( both white and red) and white ash with a Watco oil finish.
We love the grain of real hardwood but to each their own.
I hope you can obtain what you want.
Maybe you could get Escape to build your cabinets out of poplar.
It has little ( straight) grain , is relatively hard and takes paint well.
It is used in homes for trim where the trim will be painted and not stained
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Old 03-08-2017, 09:12 PM   #10
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I think we've already done this thread, and the answer from ETI was "no".
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Old 03-08-2017, 09:14 PM   #11
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I love wood. I spent my entire life planting trees,
Buying lumber, finishing wood including oak
And walking timbers all over the United States so
I'm a poor one to advise on the painting of a new interior.
We live in a log home inside and out. I never tire of
looking at wood. I even live in a state where the the state tree is an oak. You can bet your ash the interior of our Escape will always be oaky doky with us.
Dave
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Old 03-08-2017, 09:15 PM   #12
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"Hate oak". Those are strong words. I guess it is me, but I save the word "hate" for evil, vile and disgusting things. That's me though.

Oak is not my favourite wood either, but it is not all that bad. I do like the warm tones of it, and to me wood of just about any type is better than paint.

The real wood doors and drawer and the fake wood ply Escape uses actually match very well, even after a patina develops on the fronts.

I would bet with great odds against me that Escape would not prepaint the wood before putting it in. I even offered to supply wood of different species and they would not go for it. Too much to possibly go wrong for them, and it would mess up production.

I even considered veneering the framework with maple or cherry, but there is so much of it, it would take a long time, so have decided to keep the oak. It really isn't that bad.

But, if you are set on painting, it would not be too bad, definitely a lot easier than veneer would be. 80% of the effort would be in the prep work, taping off everything that does not get paint. You could either brush and roll, or spray. A good bonding primer, followed by a couple coats of a tough melamine paint would do the trick. I would be you would be into around 50+ hours of work, and that is if you are proficient at painting. It would go a bit quicker spraying, but there you really would have to know what you are doing and use a HVLP system.

Yep, still am glad I decided to keep the oak look.
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Old 03-08-2017, 09:25 PM   #13
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As a Texan, I think I'm probably "required" to like oak, since it's basically everywhere around here.
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Old 03-08-2017, 09:31 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Bennett View Post
The real wood doors and drawer and the fake wood ply Escape uses actually match very well, even after a patina develops on the fronts.
I recall from a 'years ago' thread that a member who is a woodworker / cabinet maker posted that the luaun plywood used by Escape is much more stable than so-called 'real' wood. Much less susceptible to damage and warping from moisture was the main reason he gave.

I too have a problem with "hate".
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Old 03-08-2017, 09:37 PM   #15
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I worked building a home for the CEO of a large insurance company.
The home had an 8 ft wide winding staircase with balcony made from clear oak. ( Similar to Gone with the Wind )
It took over 3 weeks for 3 carpenters to build the stairwell .
(All blind fasteners , the owner wanted no exposed nails or putty)
When the carpenters finished the final sanding and while admiring their work,, the owner's wife turned to the painters and said "Paint it all white " . I thought the carpenters and painters were going to cry. Watching the painters paint the steps was extremely depressing for everyone on the job.
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Old 03-08-2017, 09:47 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo View Post
I recall from a 'years ago' thread that a member who is a woodworker / cabinet maker posted that the luaun plywood used by Escape is much more stable than so-called 'real' wood. Much less susceptible to damage and warping from moisture was the main reason he gave.

I too have a problem with "hate".
Pretty much any plywood is more stable than real wood. The thin plastic (not sure what it really is) surface on the luaun put is likely somewhat waterproof. Luaun is also quite light.
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Old 03-08-2017, 10:01 PM   #17
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This older Bigfoot had all cabinets primed and painted when it was renovated. A lot of work but I will admit the white makes the trailer seem more spacious.

The Remodel Details — I Saw Bigfoot
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Old 03-08-2017, 10:07 PM   #18
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This older Bigfoot had all cabinets primed and painted when it was renovated. A lot of work but I will admit the white makes the trailer seem more spacious.

The Remodel Details — I Saw Bigfoot
I don't care for that much white, though know others do. I don't mind the paint, but would have gone with a warm light colour.
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Old 03-08-2017, 10:32 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo View Post
I recall from a 'years ago' thread that a member who is a woodworker / cabinet maker posted that the luaun plywood used by Escape is much more stable than so-called 'real' wood. Much less susceptible to damage and warping from moisture was the main reason he gave.

I too have a problem with "hate".
Hi: gbaglo... ME TOO!!! ME TOO. Words like "Fake" and "Hate" seem to be entering the main stream to much lately. We just redid our kitchen using walnut and white but I still prefer the oak and oak look in our 5.0TA. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
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Old 03-09-2017, 12:21 AM   #20
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Oak isn't my first choice but it's growing on me. These cabinets certainly hold up not a mark on them. I sometimes like a painted surface bright and ethnic but when ever I paint cabinets they chip. I like that the cabinets are well made. But if you do paint them it will be fun to see how it comes out.
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