Things You'll Need:
- Screwdriver
- 100-grit sandpaper
- 50- or 60-grit sandpaper
- Rags
- Primer or stain
- Paintbrush
- Paint or polyurethane
- Sponge brush
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Step 1
Unscrew all cabinet hardware, including hinges, knobs and handles. Remove the doors and set them aside. Refinishing will be easier with the doors taken off and the hardware out of the way.
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Step 2
Sand down the old finish using 100-grit sandpaper. Sand vigorously until the raw wood shows through. For very thick, painted finishes you can use tougher 50- or 60-grit sandpaper at first, using the finer 100 grit to smooth out the last remnants of paint leftover after using the tougher grit.
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Step 3
Wipe down the cabinets with a damp rag to remove excess sanding dust. Allow the cabinets to dry completely, which may take up to an hour.
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Step 4
Apply primer to the cabinets using a regular bristled brush, if you're going for a painted finish. If you want the raw grain to show through at the end of your project, apply stain to the wood instead. Let the stain sit for about 30 seconds and then wipe it off with a dry rag.
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Step 5
Paint the cabinets using a regular paintbrush after the primer has dried for the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer. For stained cabinets, apply a coat of polyurethane gloss to the cabinets, using a sponge brush. Allow the paint or polyurethane to dry.
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Step 6
Apply a second coat of paint or polyurethane, if necessary.
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Step 7
Wait 24 hours to ensure the surface is fully dried before reattaching the cabinet doors and hardware.
