How to Sand and Stain Cabinets

Partially sanded wood

Methods of sanding and staining your kitchen cabinets depends upon whether your cabinets are new (with no finish on them) or older (you're refinishing them). The prep work will be a little different. Refinishing older cabinets is definitely more labor-intensive and time-consuming, but worth the effort. Sanding new cabinets is an easy, final step before beginning the staining process. Either way, your finished cabinets will make your kitchen shine.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Orbital sander
• Belt sander
• Sanding block
• Sandpaper (150 to 320 grit)
• Tack sponge
• Tack cloth
• Dust mask
• Sawhorses or workbench
• Dropcloth
• Latex or rubber gloves
• Paintbrush
• Wood conditioner
• Soft, absorbent cotton rags
• Stain
• Lacquer thinner or acetone
• Varnish
• Soft, thin-bristled varnish brush

Instructions

Sanding

1. With the screwdriver, remove all the cabinet hardware. If it's old hardware, set it aside to soak in a rubber container filled with degreaser, metal cleaner, or dish soap. Spread the dropcloth in your work area, and move your sawhorses or workbench into place.

2. Put on the dust mask. If you're refinishing older cabinets, you may need to apply a lacquer remover. You'll be able to judge by the sheen on the cabinets. If needed, purchase a good quality commercial product and follow the manufacturer's directions for removal. When the process is complete and the cabinets are dry, you may begin sanding.

   Begin sanding a cabinet door using the orbital sander and the 150 grit sandpaper on the largest area of the cabinet. Use the belt sander on the door trim. Wearing rubber gloves, hand-sand the fine, hard-to-reach areas such as the ridges and corners.

   If you are sanding new cabinets, use only the 320 grit sandpaper and follow the instructions above. You'll sand new cabinets only once.

3. When you finish sanding with the 150 grit sandpaper, clean the dust from the cabinet door using the tack sponge and tack cloth.

4. Change the sandpaper on the sanders to 320 grit and restart the sanding process. This second sanding will give the door a completely smooth finish.

5. The final step in the sanding process is to thoroughly clean the sanding dust from the cabinet door. Make certain the door is completely free of dust.

Prepare the Wood

1. Using the paintbrush and a good quality commercial wood conditioner, paint a thin coat on the door, painting with the grain of the wood. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations concerning drying times.

2. Some people like to apply two coats of wood conditioner. If you do so, make sure the second coat is at least as thin as the first.

3. Allow the second coat of wood conditioner to dry thoroughly before proceeding to the staining process.

Staining and Finishing

1. 

   Staining wood

   Wearing rubber gloves, dip a cotton cloth into the stain. Have enough stain to apply an ample, even coat to cover a length of the cabinet door, but not so much stain that the cloth drips. Stain in the direction of the wood grain. Continue applying until the entire door is covered. Slightly soak the stain in the corners to ensure penetration in the tiny areas.

2. Most manufacturers suggest leaving the stain on for 10 minutes before wiping, but most professionals begin removing the stain as soon as they finish applying it. Whichever you choose, take a clean cotton cloth and begin removing the stain, changing cloths as needed.

3. When you've finished wiping the stain off once, start with a new cloth and wipe the stain off again. Ensure that only the stain remains--no residue.

4. When the stain is dry, using the thin-bristled varnish brush, apply a thin coat of varnish to the cabinet door. Apply in the direction of the wood grain and make the coat universally thin. Follow the manufacturer's guidelines concerning drying times.

   It's a good idea to apply a second coat of varnish. Just be sure to apply it thinly and allow it to dry thoroughly.

5. Follow the sanding and staining processes with the remaining doors and with the cabinets themselves. When everything is complete, reattach the cabinet hardware to the doors, and the doors to the cabinets.

Tips & Warnings

• Always sand with the grain of the wood; sanding against the grain will cause deep scratches that will be very visible when the door is stained and finished.

• Be sure to work in a well-ventilated area with chemicals such as stains and varnishes.

References

• Online Tips: How to Stain Kitchen Cabinets