How to Refinish Kitchen Cabinets Before & After
Your kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in your house, and the cabinets absorb a lot of wear and tear. To refresh the look and feel of your kitchen, refinishing your cabinets takes only a little bit of patience and effort. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Drop cloth
- Screwdriver
- Soft brushes
- Chemical paint stripper
- Plastic putty knife
- 400-grit sandpaper
- Wood conditioner
- Soft cloth
- Stain
Instructions
-
How to Refinish Kitchen Cabinets Before & After
-
1
Remove any drawers or doors on your cabinets. Use the screwdriver to remove any non-wood materials such as hinges and handles.
-
2
Place a drop cloth underneath your work area. Chemicals such as stain and paint stripper will damage floors and carpets.
-
-
3
Apply a thin coat of paint stripper to the cabinets with a clean brush. Allow the stripper to sit for approximately 20 minutes.
-
4
Remove the original stain finish with a plastic putty knife. Scrape the surface of the cabinets until all the old stain has been removed. Don't use a metal scraper because it will damage the wood.
-
5
Wipe the surface of the cabinets with a soft, damp cloth to remove any excess chemicals. Wait until it is completely dry.
-
6
Sand the entire surface of the cabinets with 400-grit sandpaper. Make sure you sand with the grain until the surface is smooth and clean of the original stain finish.
-
7
Apply a coat of wood conditioner to the entire surface with a clean brush. This will ensure the new stain absorbs evenly into the wood. Allow the cabinets to completely dry.
-
8
Apply a thin, even coat of stain to the entire surface of the cabinets with a clean brush. Wait until the first coat is dry before applying further coats. Continue to apply coats until the new finish achieves your desired depth and darkness.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If your cabinets are made of oak, use a water-based stain because oak is a dense wood.
Work in a well-ventilated area when using chemicals such as paint stripper and stains. Wear gloves when working with caustic chemicals.
