From time to time we have small remake orders due to preventable cabinet door handling issues. While we are happy to remake doors for customers and we will do everything we can to expedite these orders, usually in 1-2 days, we want to save everyone the time and money involved in remakes by passing on the top cabinet door material handling tips. Please feel free to add to the list and give us your feedback. We are here to help.

  1. Keep doors wrapped in packaging and store flat until ready to finish. This prevents uneven exposure to sunlight which can cause uneven material color depending on the wood species and it prevents uneven stress on the doors due to improper stacking.
  2. Do not lean doors at an angle against the wall or stack the doors and lean them against the wall. Leaning doors against the wall can cause uneven pressure on the door and can cause the doors to bow. This happens even more quickly when a group of doors is leaned against the wall due to the weight of the additional doors pressing against the doors in the back of the stack.
  3. When you finish cabinet doors, be careful not to let sweat from your forehead drop onto the door and be careful touching the door if your hands are very sweaty. Oil from your forehead or hands can show up as spots in the finished product.
  4. Apply a high quality finish to doors within 14 days of receipt, sooner if conditions warrant and as soon as possible with radius doors.
  5. Unfinished wood requires protection from moisture and sudden changes in temperature and humidity.
  6. Unfinished wood should never be delivered to an uncontrolled job site that is exposed to the elements or has recently been plastered or drywalled
  7. Finish should be applied to ALL surfaces of the door, regardless of exposure
  8. Light final sanding is recommended prior to applying darker finishes to prevent an unacceptable result due to raising of grain or contact during shipping and handling

We hope these tips save you some time and hassle in the future and we look forward to hearing any tips you have to add on this topic.