How to Finish Unfinished Pine Wood Cabinets

Pine tends to take stain unevenly.

While painting is always an option for unfinished pine cabinets, you also can choose to stain them and then paint or spray on a clear finish. Pine takes stain much more unevenly than more close-grained woods like oak, so properly preparing and conditioning the wood is a must if you want stained cabinets to look their best. Even unstained cabinets look better if you condition the wood before applying a clear urethane or lacquer finish. You also can opt for a penetrating oil finish if you want to preserve the natural look and texture of the wood.

Things You'll Need

• 150-grit sandpaper
• Orbital sander
• Wood conditioner
• Paintbrush
• Stain
• Rags
• Clear urethane or lacquer
• Spray equipment (optional)
• 220-grit sandpaper
• Penetrating oil finish

Instructions

1. Sand the entire cabinet by hand with 150-grit sandpaper. Divide a sheet in half, fold one of the halves into thirds, and sand with the grain of the wood to remove scratch marks and minor surface defects. If the wood is severely scratched, sand it with an orbital sander. Besides removing defects, sanding opens the grain of the wood so it accepts stain or oil more readily.

2. Apply wood conditioner onto the surface with a paintbrush, let it soak in for 10 minutes or so, then wipe off the excess with a rag. The conditioner seals open pores near knots that otherwise soak up stain and finish and appear darker than the rest of the surface. If you are going to use an oil finish, omit the conditioner.

3. Spread stain on the surface with a rag or paintbrush. Start at the top of vertical surfaces and work downward, spreading the stain in the same direction as the grain on both vertical and horizontal surfaces. Wipe off the excess stain with a clean rag, going with the grain of the wood, before it has a chance to dry. Let the remaining stain dry for the time recommended on the container, usually 4 to 6 hours.

4. Apply clear finish; you can spray it from a spray can, use air spray equipment or brush it on with a paintbrush. You usually have to spray clear lacquer, although there are brushable varieties available. Brush on urethane unless you're using spray cans.

5. Go with the grain of the wood when brushing a clear finish, starting from the tops of vertical surfaces and working downward. Start each stroke a few inches away from the edge of the wet coat and brush toward the wet paint, lifting the brush after you have crossed the edge.

6. Let the first coat of clear finish dry for the time recommended on the container or until it no longer feels sticky, then sand it lightly with 220-grit sandpaper. Apply a second coat in the same way you applied the first. Repeat as many times as necessary to get the sheen and texture you want.

7. Apply a penetrating oil finish in the same way you apply stain, by wiping or brushing it on and wiping off the excess with a clean rag. If you don't plan to cover it with a clear finish, sand the first coat lightly with 220-grit sandpaper and apply a second coat.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're finishing multiple cabinets, save time and do a better job by spraying a clear lacquer finish with rental spray equipment rather than using spray cans.

• Oil-based stains and finishes give off toxic fumes, so wear a respirator while using them.

References

• Kitchen Cabinets and Hardware: Unfinished Pine Kitchen Cabinets
• Ask the Builder; Perfect Wood Stains on Soft Wood; Tim Carter

Resources

• National Capital Free Net: Finishing Solid Pine