Reface particle board cabinet with area "fluffed" by water?

[Choise76Smu]

kitchen cabinets are ugly and almost black in color. we're thinking of refacing (with new doors), but this one damaged area needs special prep; it's below the sink:

53kb version:

it's still sturdy, so shouldn't need to be cut out and new 1x spliced in for strength.

Darkish blotches remind me that, years ago, we gave this edge a coat of brown paint, but the edge has since been scratched by fingernails. I think even without the scratching, water would still have soaked it.

right now, i'd guess this would be best prep: sand off the swollen high spots. something that can soak into the particle board porousness, to firm it up? otherwise primer, to seal "plastic" wood filler (not the water-based patch), sand. fill and sand until good. probably prime again to seal (all around, including inner side of cabinet front)

then apply refacing "veneer"

so yes, a question, is there a better way?

TIA

[Pat]

I am not sure what the picture is showing me. Do your cupboards have a face frame made with particle board covered with vinyl? I think I would just pull off the doors and face frames and then install new face frames and doors.

[komobu]

If it is on the bottom, you may just want to put some wood grained contact paper over it to match your new cabinet faces. My home desk was rather small so I cut a piece of plywood 30 Inches by 60 inches to place on my much smaller desk top. I then put some contact paper over it. I did this two four years ago and it still looks good.

Pat

[Choise76Smu]

"Pat" in news: [e-mail]:

yes.

hmm, i'll check how well the faces are attached. if well glued, i'd expect the joined area to turn to crumbles.

the cabinets are a mix individual cabinets and multiple-cabinet subassemblies (manufactured in a large batch for apartment complex which was later converted to condos)

[scott21230]

Can you cut out the piece of crap wood and put in a piece of real wood in it's place?

[Choise76Smu]

[e-mail] in news: [e-mail]:

that's what i was expecting be my second choice - screws and glue/adhesive. i'd use a piece temporarily clamped across front surface to prevent the new piece from being recessed vs cabinet front. then smooth with plastic wood procedure, seal, etc.