How to Refinish Cabinets
Cabinets, just like furniture, become worn out in time. If you fail to take care of them properly, chances are you’ll find your once-gleaming fixtures looking sad and forlorn in the corners. Spruce up your old cabinets by refinishing them. It’s an easy task, as long as you know the steps.
What You’ll Need:
Screwdriver
Drop cloths or old newspapers
Sandpaper
Detail sander
Paint or stain
Clear coat
Household cleaner
Water
Masking tape
Tarp
Procedure:
Careful remove all the items that are stored in your cabinets. They’ll only get in the way of your task. Afterward, remove the cabinets’ hardware: this includes the cabinets, the shelving, doors and the hinges. If there are any decorative features on your cabinets, remove them too. Afterwards, remove the hinges and handles from the door. You may need a screwdriver for this task.
Check you cabinets thoroughly for damage, making sure there are no signs of wear or rotting. See if any part needs to be replaced. If you discover damaged parts, replace them before refinishing the cabinet.
Cover the areas around the cabinet with drop cloths or old newspapers. This can be a messy task, so this will make cleaning up easier for you.
Wash your cabinets using a solution made from household cleaner. Rinse with cool water, then dry with a clean cloth.
If your cabinets have an old clear coating, sand it off. Sand the doors and the drawer fronts too. Start by using a 50-grit sandpaper, then increase the grit gradually to at least 150 grit or so, until you get the smooth texture you wanted. If you want to get into tight nooks and crannies, use a detail sander.
Decide if you’re going to paint the cabinets or just varnish them. If your cabinets have a lovely wooden color, then varnish might be a better choice. If the wood color looks worn out, then painting might be a better option.
Using masking tape, mask off the areas around your cabinets, so they won’t get stained. Apply the stain or paint evenly over the cabinets’ entire surface and drawer front. If you’re using stain, let it stay on the surface for three to five minutes, then wipe excessive liquid with a lint-free and clean rag.
Lay down the cabinet doors on a tarp, then paint or apply the stain over them, going from top to bottom.
If you think it’s necessary, add another coat of stain or paint.
Once the stain has dried, give the surface a light sanding. Then, apply the clear coat. All over. You can use polyurethane, lacquer or acrylic. Do the same for the doors. Allow the clear coat to dry.
Once all the cabinet doors and surfaces have dried, put back the doors, and the other decorations. Your cabinets look beautiful again!
Ignoring your cabinets instead of refinishing them might make them look more unpleasant as time passes. Give them the attention they deserve, and refinish them. They’ll add a lovely look to your place.