So I did end up disassembling the remaining drawer fronts and doors, removing each of the plastic framing pieces. The exception was the three drawer fronts for the three openings already finished on the visible side that go beneath the dinette. But for the rest - they were all taken apart.
At first I thought the glue along some of the plastic trim, where it contacts wood in the grooves, was of a hard drying, clear glue nature, with just a slight cast of brown, brittle - you know like wood glue might be on such an application. And it was - kind of.
But after further examination it revealed a slightly softer set to it, almost like a contact cement, but not quite. I was able to remove some of the thicker glue spots on the wood surface with laquer thinner and a scraper, but that took a little more rubbing and effort than desirable.
I guess I have some ideas about the nature of the glue, and I'll look over the glue selection at the home center to make an adequate choice for re-assembling.
But it feels good to my mind and my eye to evaluate each piece, and not just an evaluation of an assembly, especially when considering that I have extra parts and simply learning the process of the door build is likely to prove beneficial in future.
Here's one of the large overhead cabinet doors being sanded. Note how much easier and how much faster the sanding and finishing is likely to be.
That is the front surface. Here is a back side, and yes, I'll be finishing the back sides as well.
That particular door pulls open at eye level and hinges downward. You don't find cabinets like that in your home; there's plenty of room there so cabinet doors swing open - left or right. Lil' Queenie's are almost invariably hinged on the bottom edge. The handle is at the top of the door. It's an effective method for tight quarters.
So when the cabinet is closed you cast your eyes upon it's finished beauty, reveling in the reddish brown warmth of the real wood's grain and character. When you access something in the cabinet - again you open and let it hang, and the finished back side now becomes your visible point of reference hanging ever so slightly below your Cheerios box. It's almost a spiritual experience I tell you!
I don't intend to use any plastic corners, but I will save them. I do intend to disassemble the remaining doors from Lil' Queenie in an attempt to find a few more metal corners. If I cannot find enough, I'll use plastic corners on some of the smaller doors.
Fuzzy and out of focus, but you get the idea. I moved all the plastic frames out of the way, storing them in piles by length here in the camper. That's more than you'd think huh? Kind of adds a perspective.
After the initial 100 grit sanding, which followed the dis-assembly, I examined each door at it's location in the camper and determined which extra holes (if any) received wood filler. Some of those were owner modifications of the past and some were screw or staple holes fastening drawers to drawer fronts. After a little time drying, I sanded those areas back down, regrouped and ran each through it's finish sanding with the 220 grit paper. Then I swept up and wiped everything down with a dry cloth and donned my TSA gloves (well mine are clear, not blue).
Here they all sit ready for stain.
You might notice the daylight shining on areas of that photo. Yes the day was fine and I had the garage doors open. Spring is coming and I'll need to exercise Lil' Willy at some point.
Once I get done with this door stuff I'll need to concentrate enough on the rest of the galley and great room furniture to get systems started. Once a few bulkier systems are in place I can start stringing wire. And wiring is needed before I place insulation board. And insulation is needed before siding and skin go back on. And skin must go on to give Lil' Willy his freedom! You see where I'm going?
Okay here are the same doors, this time with stain.
Each back side will get at least the one coat of poly. If it looks good that'll complete the backs, but if it's dry enough to soak in too much, I'll steel wool it and apply a second coat. Each front surface will receive the two coat treatment.
