How to Remodel and Reface Kitchen Cabinets

Resurface wood cabinets for a new look.

One of the most expensive rooms to remodel is the kitchen. If it needs an update, a substantial way to save money is to resurface the kitchen cabinets. New hardware and a fresh coat of paint drastically improve the look and style of any cabinet. With the money you save, you can purchase quality flooring or appliances and still remain within your budget. Resurfacing kitchen cabinets is simple, requiring only a few materials and elbow grease.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic sheeting
• Screwdriver
• Wood cleaner
• Cloth
• Deglosser liquid
• Silicone sandpaper (100-grit)
• Wood filler
• Nylon polyester paintbrush
• Oil-based primer
• Sanding sponge
• Oil-based paint

Instructions

1. Prepare the space. Remove everything out of the cabinets and clean off countertops. Cover the floor with plastic sheeting to prevent any damage. Also use plastic sheeting to section the kitchen off from the rest of the house to prevent the spread of dust and fumes.

2. Remove cabinet drawers and doors from their hinges with a screwdriver and place in a work area free of blowing dust or debris. Wipe the cabinets with a wood cleaner to remove any food, grime or oil buildup. Apply a deglosser liquid onto all the cabinets with a clean cloth to dull away original shine and prep for sanding.

3. Sand all the cabinets with a 100-grit silicone sandpaper to smooth for new paint. Fill any cracks or holes with a wood putty, allow to dry, then smooth with sandpaper.

4. Wipe all cabinets with a lint-free cloth to remove any dust. Apply an oil-based primer or brushing putty to prep the wood for paint. Allow the primer to dry, then smooth out again with sandpaper or sanding sponge. This Old House suggests using an oil-based primer on tight woods like cherry or maple, while brushing putty works best on open-grain woods like ash or oak. Brushing putty primes and fills grain simultaneously. Apply the primer with a nylon polyester paintbrush.

5. Obtain an oil-based paint to remodel all cabinets in the shade you desire. Apply to the cabinets with a new nylon polyester brush, using steady up-and-down strokes mimicking the wood grain's appearance. Lay cabinet doors and shelves flat on the workspace to reduce the appearance of drips in the paint. Allow the paint to dry for at least 12 hours or as the manufacturer directs.

6. Reattach the cabinet door and drawers. Replace old hardware with new handles and hinges for a newer look.

References

• This Old House: Pro Secrets for Painting Kitchen Cabinets