Bespoke Shaker Wardrobe Hand-Finishing

This project involved the complete preparation and hand-finishing of newly installed bespoke shaker-style wardrobes, manufactured from moisture-resistant MDF.

Overview

This project involved the complete preparation and hand-finishing of newly installed bespoke shaker-style wardrobes, manufactured from moisture-resistant MDF.

Starting with bare MDF, the full wardrobe installation required a careful preparation, priming and finishing system to create a smooth, durable finish across the doors and fitted carcasses.

The Brief

The aim was to achieve a refined, furniture-quality finish entirely on site, with the consistency and smoothness you would expect from professionally finished bespoke joinery.

Because the wardrobes arrived as bare MDF, achieving that result relied heavily on the preparation between each stage. Screw holes, fixing points, joints and small imperfections all needed to be addressed before the finishing coats were applied.

Before We Started

Floor protection was installed throughout the working area before preparation began.

All hinges and associated hardware were carefully removed, with each door and its corresponding hinges labelled so everything could be accurately reinstated once decorating was complete.

A dedicated hanging system was also created on site, allowing each wardrobe door to be individually suspended during the preparation and coating process.

Preparation & Repairs

The bare moisture-resistant MDF doors and wardrobe carcasses were thoroughly sanded to create a consistent surface ready for priming.

Screw holes, joints and fixing points within the carcasses were filled and prepared, along with pin holes and imperfections across the shaker-style doors. Once the initial preparation was complete, every surface was thoroughly cleaned to remove sanding dust and contaminants before coating began.

The wardrobes then received two full coats of primer. After each coat, every surface was carefully sanded and de-nibbed before being cleaned again. This repeated preparation allowed us to progressively refine the MDF and create the smooth foundation needed for the finishing coats.

The Work

Once the priming stages were complete, the first topcoat was applied across the doors and wardrobe carcasses.

After sufficient curing time, the surfaces were again carefully sanded and de-nibbed, then thoroughly cleaned to remove residual surface dust. A second and final topcoat was then applied across the complete installation to create a smooth and consistent finish.

Working with the doors individually suspended allowed each one to be prepared and finished methodically while the project remained entirely on site.

The Finished Result

Once the coating system had fully dried, the labelled hinges and hardware were carefully reinstated and each wardrobe door was rehung and aligned.

The completed wardrobes have a clean, consistent finish across both the shaker-style doors and fitted carcasses, transforming the original bare MDF into finished bespoke furniture.

The result demonstrates how much of a high-quality finish is determined by the work between coats. Repeated sanding, de-nibbing and careful preparation at every stage allowed the wardrobes to be hand-finished on site while achieving the smooth, refined appearance the project required.