Switched to poplar for painted cabinets after a kitchen job in Richmond

I used to be a die-hard MDF guy for all my painted cabinet work. Thought it was stable and took paint better than anything else. But then I did a full kitchen remodel in Richmond last spring, and the homeowner wanted shaker doors with a dark blue glaze. The MDF edges started fuzzing up on me during sanding, and I spent hours trying to fix it. A guy I subcontract with told me to try poplar instead, and it cut so clean with zero fuzz. The paint laid down perfectly flat too. Has anyone else had better luck with poplar for painted stuff?

3 comments

3 Comments

victor_robinson28d ago

Solidarity there, poplar changed my game too. @marywilson knows what's up.

marywilson28d ago

Yeah I was all MDF too but poplar changed my mind completely.

linda11428d ago

You know, I felt the same way for the longest time. I was convinced MDF was the way to go because it's so smooth and cheap. But then I tried poplar on a small shelf project last summer, and honestly @marywilson you're spot on. The way it takes paint and holds up to dents is night and day different from MDF. I think what really got me was how much easier it is to work with, no dust turning everything white. Your mileage may vary but I'm a total convert now too.