Refinishing Kitchen Cabinets

A new look is what you want and refinishing kitchen cabinets can provide this without emptying your bank account. New cabinets can cost a small fortune. Another option is refacing. Although this is considerably cheaper than all new cabinets, it's still not cheap. Refinishing is by far the most inexpensive option.

Many cabinet refinishing projects are excellent for the do-it-yourself homeowner and refinishing kitchen cabinets is no exception. All that is required is some time and a couple of good tools.

The cost of materials is very low when compared to other home improvement projects. Plus, with the purchase of new knobs and hinges this will complete a new look.

The steps involved with refinishing kitchen cabinets are very basic and straightforward.

Some Disassembly is Required

This will make everything easier. To start this project, remove the doors then the hinges and knobs. At this time all drawer fronts can be removed. Usually they are held in place by a few screws. Access the screws from inside the drawer.

If the drawer fronts are permanent, you will have to remove the entire drawer. This will make things a bit more difficult. Number the doors and drawer fronts in an inconspicuous area for easier reassembly later. Good areas are behind the hinge on the doors and where the drawer fronts mount.

Put the same number on a piece of masking tape inside the corresponding opening. When everything is finished and ready to be installed you will know where it goes.

All these pieces need to be placed on a flat surface for refinishing. Using the garage or other large room will be necessary.

The garage is a preferred area since the refinishing products have a strong smell of solvents and require good ventilation.

I use sawhorses or 5 gallon buckets and long pieces of wood, 2x2s will work fine, to build a temporary bench. Sawhorses will place the doors and drawers, or drawer fronts, at a comfortable working level.

Preparation

The next part is probably the most important. When refinishing kitchen cabinets, cleanliness is of the utmost importance. TSP, trisodium phosphate, works great at removing grease or grime and producing a truly clean surface.

Clean all the items well and allow enough time for complete drying before proceeding with the sanding.

Sanding

Sanding sponges work great for this task. Medium-Fine grit will be fine for the initial sanding to remove drips and thick edges.

For the final finish sanding use 180 grit to make sure everything is smooth. This is a time consuming part of any kitchen cabinet refinishing project.

Once all the surfaces are sanded smooth remove the fine dust, this is called tacking. If you have a shop vacuum use it to remove the bulk of the dust. Any sanding dust that is still on the surface can be removed with tack rags.

Final Cleaning

I also do a final cleaning using a deglosser, like Paso. Apply with clean, soft rags to remove any remaining contaminate and soften the surface prior to applying any stain or finish.

All or part of these steps may be necessary when refinishing kitchen cabinets. This depends on their overall condition and your expectations.

If only a few light scratches are present, cleaning and light sanding before finishing is all that is needed. An entirely new stain color will involve complete removal of the existing stain and finish.

Before beginning your kitchen cabinet refinishing project, you will have to judge for yourself the extent of the actual preparation that is practical. Refinishing kitchen cabinets can be a quick weekend project or a week long endeavor.

Always start with a clean deglossed surface that has received all necessary repairs before proceeding.

Staining

Now that the doors and frames are fully prepared, staining and the application of a protective clear finish can take place. Finding an exact matching stain color might be impossible. If you know the species of wood used to manufacture your kitchen cabinets, purchase a sample piece of wood. Take a door and this wood sample to your local paint store for a stain match.

Using clean white cloths, wipe the stain onto all surfaces. Try to rub the stain into the scratches to improve the look of the cabinets. A brush can be used for tight areas, such as raised panels on the doors and the styles or cabinet frames.

Remove the excess stain with a clean rag. If some original finish is still on the surfaces, the stain can take several hours to dry. Allow a drying time of 16-24 hours before applying any clear finish.

Finishing

Once the stain has dried and you are satisfied that everything looks good, a clear protective finish needs to be applied. Many cabinet manufactures use lacquer as a finish. This will limit your choices.

Not all finishes are compatible with each other.

A good rule is Polyurethane over Polyurethane only and Varnish can be applied over everything else. Some water base products can be applied over oil base finishes, but this is risky. Read the label carefully.

Varnish is a great finish that dries hard and has excellent adhesion to most surfaces. Plus it is easy to apply with a HVLP spray gun and flows smoothly with a brush.

A minimum of two coats of finish will be needed with a light buffing, using fine sanding blocks, between each coat. Allow each coat to thoroughly dry before sanding and recoating.

Spraying will produce the best results on the doors and brushing will be necessary on the frame. Always brush in the direction of the wood grain.

Appling a clear protective wood finish requires multiple thin coats with light sanding and tacking before a final look is achieved. Use very fine sanding blocks, 180 grit or finer, and apply the lightest pressure necessary to remove any roughness caused by dust.

If you sand to aggressively on a freshly applied finish the clear coat can be damaged and possibly some stain could be removed, this is very difficult to fix. Always sand in the direction of the wood grain when refinishing kitchen cabinets.

After sanding remove all dust with a vacuum and tack rag. Feel the surface with your hands; you want a smooth, glass like, finish. Once a smooth surface is achieved apply the final coat and allow everything to completely dry before reassembly.

The doors and drawers can be reinstalled once they are dry and easy to handle. The clear finish will be soft, so be careful. Leave the doors and drawers cracked open for several days to help with curing. The finish will take up to 30 days to fully cure and harden.

Refinishing kitchen cabinets can involve all or part of these procedures. Removing the doors will help you achieve the best finish possible, but might not be practical for you. The best advice is to be patient and think every step through before continuing.

Properly refinishing kitchen cabinets can be a rewarding project that will add value to any home.

Plus the skills learned refinishing your own kitchen cabinets can be applied to bathroom vanities and built-in cabinets, such as book shelves.