How to Darken Finished Kitchen Cabinets

Darken your kitchen cabinets with your choice of stain.

Kitchen cabinets are often made from plywood or lumber, which means that the natural colors often fall on the lighter end of the shade scale. Even if the cabinets have received a finishing treatment that makes the cabinets shine, the color will not necessarily become darker. While you could paint the cabinets, this would take the natural wood's appearance and characteristics away from your kitchen cabinets. To darken your finished kitchen cabinets, you will need to remove the finishing layer and apply a darker stain of your choice.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Soap and water
• Cloth
• Sandpaper
• Stain of choice
• Paintbrush
• Sealant
• Finishing topcoat of choice

Instructions

1. Remove the hardware, such as handles or knobs, from the cabinet doors. You should also disconnect the cabinet doors from the cabinet unit by unscrewing the screws that hold the hinges in place. This should be done on both the doors and the cabinet unit so the hinges can be placed aside.

2. Clean the kitchen cabinets and the doors using soapy water and a cloth. This will remove any dirt or residue that may be on the cabinets.

3. Use sandpaper to remove the finish from the cabinet and door. Use sandpaper rather than a sanding device, as you do not want to remove or alter the cabinet's wood structure. You simply want to remove the layer of finish. When the cabinet shows more wood than shine, you have removed the finish. Do this both inside and outside the cabinet unit and on both sides of the cabinet door.

4. Apply one layer of stain to the cabinet unit and the cabinet door, using the paintbrush. Do this both inside and outside the cabinet unit and on both sides of the cabinet doors. One layer will darken it slightly. Start by applying one layer and determine whether or not you want to make it darker. If so, apply a second layer and let it dry. If you want an even darker shade, apply a third coat. The cabinets will darken as you keep applying coats of stain. Let the cabinet components dry when you are done.

5. Clean the paintbrush with water and use it again to apply a layer of finishing topcoat of your choice. This is often a clear layer that will give your cabinet some protection and shine. Let both the cabinet and cabinet doors dry before continuing.

6. Reattach the cabinet's door handles and the door hinges using the original screw holes as your guide. Use the screwdriver to attach the hardware. Reinstall the cabinet doors on the cabinet unit to complete your darkened kitchen cabinet.

References

• House Painting Info: Re-stain Cabinets for New Look