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finishing toe kicks

8 years ago
All of the edges of my toe kick are unfinished. Not too worried about the top and bottom because you won’t see these, but what about the edge when you come to the end of a run and it doesn’t stop at the wall?

Comments (14)

  • 8 years ago

    HI! In my previous white kitchen I painted it in a similar white.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    An image would be very helpful. A picture is worth a thousand words ; - )

  • PRO
    8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    This would normally be handled by doing what is called a finished return. The exposed end is mitered 45 degrees and another small piece of the toe kick also mitered 45 degrees is glued on. A compound miter saw takes care of that in a minute or two.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    That is what a touch up kit is for. You dont do molding returns on toekick.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    I think that really depends on the cabinet and on the cabinet maker's preferences. I have seen all sorts of different solutions. Out of curiosity, I just took a look at what they did in the room that I happen to be sitting in right now. They just butt-joined a pre-fabricated molding onto the side of the toe-kick. That wouldn't have occurred to me. But it actually looks just fine. And I am sure it was super cheap to do. Doesn't get much easier.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Really we need to see to see the issue I have a toe kicks that are finished t the ends with an iron tape

  • PRO
    8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    The reason we do a mitered return is that the toe kick is either MDF, particle or plywood based. As such the end is not really suitable for painting or staining. By using the same prefinished toe kick the return is exactly the same finish. We never use a molding, the piece comes from the kick, when done it just looks like the end was taped/veneered and finished.

  • 8 years ago

    I would seriously like to see a mitered return in 1/8” thick material. Does that involve a razor blade to cut? How do you manage a return in such thin material?

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Our kicks are either 5/8" or 3/4" thick material, never that 1/8" type Masonite material.

  • 8 years ago

    Then that advice is meaningless to 90% of Cabinet installations.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Mitering the corners might work.

    Another approach (If your toe-kicks are 5/8" - 3/4" thick) would be to buy a small edge-banding kit from a hardware store in the same wood species your toe-kick material is veneered in. (If your toe-kicks are meant to be painted, aka paint-grade, they are likely maple or birch.) This will allow you to make a simple, presentable butt joint.

    Please keep in mind, this is a simple DIY approach and not necessarily what a professional cabinet maker or finish carpenter would do.

  • 8 years ago

    My GC is doing a finished return as described a few posts above by The Kitchen Abode.

  • 6 years ago

    I would miter it. I’m using 3/4” white pvc and won’t have to paint it,the termites won’t eat it,and it wont rot

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