how can i determine if my kitchen cabinets are REAL wood.?

Question

I want to do some renovating but need to know if my cabinets are REAL wood...how can i be sure of this? they are currently painted white and i just really dont know!

Answer 1

Try banging a small nail in a secluded part of the cabinet. If it won't go through, it isn't wood.

Answer 2

The first thing I'd go for is a steamer and a supply of microfiber cloths. That will be your least damaging solution. Next would be Simple Green and the microfiber cloths. Spray the Simple Green (mixed 60% water and 40% cleaner) on, let it soak a bit and wipe with the microfiber cloths, rinsing frequently. These cloths wipe more efficiently than anything else. Do not use anything even mildly abrasive or you will be taking the finish off. And it's possible that all the years of having that **** on there has damaged the finish anyhow but why make it worse. No nylon scrub pads, no Mr. Clean erasers, they are all abrasive. The Simple Green is non-toxic and biodegradable. Smells nice too and won't tear up your hands. I'd let the cabinets dry well (at least overnight) and then give them a couple coats of Scott's Liquid Gold. It's a oil that works wonders on woods. Even Walmart has it. They have the Simple Green too but it's usually in the automotive section. And it's going to take patience and time. There is nothing that will take it off in one swoop. If it did, it would be so caustic that it wouldn't be safe to use.

Answer 3

Try scrapping a little of the finish off of the bottom, or the inside of the cabinets. Don't bother doing that on the doors, many cabinets use fake wood doors and that wouldn't give you the true answer. Bye

Answer 4

Let a coupleof termites loose in your cabinets. If there is a swarm of termites a week later then your cabinets are real wood. There is probably a better way of finding out put this way is much more fun. Where's my two points for answering this question?

Answer 5

first look at the bottom, then you can see on the divisions and drill a little whole and if there is no paper coming and is only a straight whole is wood, then also you can see if by the doors there are peelings, and usually if is wood you can see as well the rings, that is part of the aging of the tree

hope it helps

Answer 6

Do you mean real plywood, real particle board, or real hardwood (solid)??? Or plastic?

Besides taking off a hinge to look, I would suggest drilling a small (1/16th inch diameter bit) hole in the backside in a corner and see what kind of particles come out. You may need a magnifying glass.

To tell if it's solid hardwood, plywood, or particle board, you may need to drill a slightly larger hole.

.

Answer 7

you have to look at it at a place whrere the material is exposed. if it is made up of a bunch of filings packed in there, it is not wood. if it is made of large, solid pieces, it is wood.

Answer 8

Remove a hinge and see what it under it.

Answer 9

lick them.