Introduction
Refurbishing your kitchen cabinets can completely transform the look of your kitchen. Old, worn cabinets make your kitchen look dated and dingy. With some new paint or stain, you can give your cabinets a fresh, updated look without the high cost of installing brand new cabinetry.
Refinishing cabinets yourself is a big project but can save you thousands of dollars compared to hiring out the job. With some time and effort, you can refinish your cabinets and make them look like new again. This guide will provide tips and step-by-step instructions to help you through the refinishing process.
Assessing Your Cabinets
Before you begin a refinishing project, you need to carefully assess the current state of your cabinets. Determine if they are solid wood, veneer, laminate, or another material. Solid wood cabinets are the best type to refinish.
Look at the current finish – is it paint, stain, or something else? What is the condition – are there areas of wear, peeling paint, flaking varnish or other damage? Make notes on the current finish and any problem areas.
Inspect cabinet boxes, doors, and drawers for signs of damage or rot. Refinishing can cover up minor flaws but cannot fix structural problems.
Consider if doors or drawers sag and no longer line up correctly. This may need to be corrected before applying a new finish.
Decide if you want to change the color significantly or just refresh the existing stain or paint. Dramatic color changes require more prep work.
Carefully assessing the cabinets upfront will help you determine the scope of the project and come up with a refinishing plan.
Preparing Cabinets for Refinishing
Proper prep work is crucial for a successful refinishing project. You need to thoroughly clean cabinets and remove the existing finish.
Cleaning Cabinets
Give cabinets a thorough cleaning before sanding or stripping to remove grease, dirt and grime. Start by removing all shelves, drawers and hardware.
Wash cabinet boxes, doors and drawers with a degreasing cleaner or TSP substitute. Rinse well and let dry completely.
Use a utility knife to score caulk beads between cabinets and lift off as much as possible. Removing old caulk will give you a cleaner surface for applying new caulk.
Clean out cabinet interiors including shelves. Vacuum out any dust or debris.
Tip: Mark hardware and shelves so you can easily reinstall in the original location.
Removing Existing Finish
How you remove the old finish depends on what type it is:
- Painted cabinets: Use a paint stripping gel or liquid to soften old paint so it can be scraped off. A heat gun can also help soften paint for removal.
- Varnished or stained cabinets: Use chemical strippers to remove varnish, polyurethanes and stain. Apply a thick coat, let it sit per directions, then scrape off.
- Laminate cabinets: You cannot refinish laminate cabinets; the laminate must be removed. This is labor intensive and usually not worth doing. Consider new cabinet doors instead.
Removing old finish requires patience and elbow grease! Use a combination of tools – paint scraper, putty knife, steel wool, abrasive pads, sandpaper, etc. Wear appropriate protection – gloves, eye protection, mask, etc.
Work in small sections until you have removed as much of the old finish as possible. Fill any gouges or holes with wood filler once stripped.
Sanding Kitchen Cabinets
Once existing finish is removed, sanding prepares the bare wood for new stain or paint.
It’s crucial to sand thoroughly and evenly to achieve a smooth surface. Use a random orbital sander for efficiency and best results.
Sanding tips:
- Use 100-150 grit to remove remaining finish and smooth bare wood
- Finish sand with 180-220 grit to achieve a super smooth surface
- Always sand in direction of wood grain – circular orbital motion works well
- Sand edges and profile details by hand
- Clean surface well between sanding rounds to remove dust
- Finish with a final “detail” sanding by hand using 220-320 grit sandpaper
Be patient and meticulous for best sanding results. Any imperfections will show through new finish. Thoroughly sanding now means less work later.
Filling Holes and Imperfections
Refinishing cabinets exposes every flaw, so take time to fill any holes, gouges, cracks or other imperfections in the wood:
- Use wood filler designed for refinishing – this dries fast and sands smooth
- Press filler into holes or gaps with a putty knife so it’s flush with surface
- Let dry completely per manufacturer’s directions
- Sand smooth and blend with surrounding area
- Make sure surface is clean and dust-free before applying new finish
Proper hole and crack filling ensures your cabinets will look fantastic with their new finish.
How to Apply New Finish to Kitchen Cabinets
Once your cabinets are prepped, it’s time for the fun part – applying a beautiful new finish! You have several options:
Painting Kitchen Cabinets
Painting kitchen cabinets is an affordable way to transform the look of your kitchen in just a weekend. Use high quality cabinet paint for a smooth, durable finish:
- For light colors, use a white or grey cabinet paint as your basecoat
- For dark painted cabinets, use a tinted primer first for best coverage
- Apply with a high density foam roller and angled brush for best results
- Use thin, even coats, allowing proper drying time between coats
- Lightly sand between coats and clean surface
- Finish with 2-3 topcoats of cabinet paint for a smooth finish
Painted cabinet tips:
- Use satin or semi-gloss sheens for durability and easy cleaning
- Paint the cabinet boxes, doors, and drawer fronts for full impact
- Use spray paint for the cabinet interiors and shelves
Painting transforms even the most worn-out cabinets affordably. And you can easily change the color again down the road!
Staining Kitchen Cabinets
Staining adds rich color while allowing the wood grain to show through. For best results:
- Choose an oil-based penetrating stain for wood cabinets
- Use a pre-stain wood conditioner for evenly absorbed color
- Test stain colors on cabinet interiors first
- Use a foam brush or lint-free cloth to apply stain evenly with the grain
- Wipe off excess after 2-5 minutes
- Allow at least 8 hours drying time before applying topcoat
- Protect with 2-3 coats of satin polyurethane for durability
With so many stain colors available, it’s easy to find one to suit your style. Just make sure to follow directions closely for best results.
Clear Topcoats
A clear topcoat is essential to protect your painted or stained finish and make it last.
- For painted cabinets, use a cabinet paint as the topcoat for best durability
- For stained cabinets, apply 2-3 coats of satin polyurethane
- Lightly sand between coats with 220 grit sandpaper
- Clean surface thoroughly before applying next coat
- Allow proper drying time between coats
The right topcoat keeps your cabinets looking like new for years to come. Don’t skip this important step!
Refinishing Cabinet Doors
Cabinet doors and drawer fronts take more abuse than any other part, so focus on making them look fantastic. Consider refinishing them off the cabinets for best results:
- Remove all doors and lay flat when sanding, staining, painting
- Use painter’s tape around edges to avoid drips
- Spray paint doors and drawer fronts for a smooth factory finish
- Hang doors to dry so paint doesn’t pool at bottom edge
- Reinstall doors only after finish is completely cured
Pretty cabinet doors make the whole kitchen look refreshed. Take your time with doors and drawers to really make them shine.
Refinishing Cabinet Hardware
Replacing old hardware is an easy upgrade when refinishing cabinets.
If reusing existing hardware, remove before refinishing, then:
- Clean hardware in diluted vinegar solution
- Gently sand to rough up existing finish
- Wipe clean then spray with oil rubbed bronze, chrome or brass paint
- Apply new finish coats to hardware as well
For a brand new look, opt for new matching hardware in stainless steel, black, or satin nickel. Allowing cabinet finishes to fully cure before reinstalling hardware prevents dents, scratches or damage to your fresh new cabinets. Take time to properly prep and finish your hardware for a cohesive finished look.
How Long Does It Take to Refinish Kitchen Cabinets?
The amount of time needed to refinish kitchen cabinets depends on:
- Type of existing finish (paint is faster than stain/varnish)
- Process for removing existing finish
- Scope of project – just doors or entire cabinets?
- Type of new finish being applied
- Drying time needed between finish coats
Most cabinet refinishing projects take 2-5 days from start to finish.
Here is a sample timeline:
Day 1
- Remove doors, drawers, hardware
- Wash and degrease all surfaces
- Begin removing existing finish
Day 2
- Complete removing existing finish
- Fill any holes or imperfections
- Sand surfaces
Day 3
- Finish sanding
- Vacuum and clean surfaces
- Start applying first coat of new paint or stain
Day 4
- Apply second coat
- Reinstall doors and hardware
- Touch up as needed
Day 5
- Apply final topcoat(s)
- Replace shelves, drawers
- Caulk gaps and touch up
Working efficiently and allowing proper drying time between steps is key to finishing in 4-5 days. Rushing the process can lead to poor results.
Tips for Refinishing Kitchen Cabinets
Follow these tips for a successful kitchen cabinet refinishing project:
- Remove doors, drawers, and hardware for easiest refinishing
- Fill all holes, gouges and imperfections for flawless finish
- Sand thoroughly with progressive grit sandpaper
- Clean surfaces with tack cloth before applying finish
- Follow finish product directions for drying times
- Apply thin, even finish coats using a high density foam roller
- Use an angled brush for finishing edges and corners
- Let finish fully cure before reinstalling hardware
- Prime for best coverage when changing color drastically
Take your time and don’t rush the process. Thorough prep work leads to better results. Protect surrounding surfaces from drips and dust. Refinishing your own cabinets saves thousands of dollars and gives you a stunning, updated kitchen!
Frequently Asked Questions About Refinishing Cabinets
Should I refinish or replace my kitchen cabinets?
In many cases, refinishing is much more affordable than full replacement. As long as cabinets are structurally sound, refinishing is a great option for updating their look.
Is it worth it to refinish cabinets?
Refinishing cabinets costs a fraction of replacement, and provides a dramatic update. As long as you prepare surfaces properly and use high quality finishes, refinished cabinets can look as good as new.
How do I get a smooth finish when painting cabinets?
Use high density foam rollers and quality brush to apply cabinet paint. Sand lightly between coats and apply multiple thin, even coats for a smooth finish. Spraying cabinet doors gives the smoothest painted finish.
What sheen is best for kitchen cabinets – satin, semi-gloss, or high gloss?
Satin and semi-gloss sheens are best for durability on kitchen cabinet surfaces. They resist moisture, abrasion, and cleaning chemicals better than high gloss finishes.
Can you restain kitchen cabinets darker?
Yes, you can definitely restain over existing cabinet stain to go darker. Make sure to use a wood restorative product first to deepen and enrich the wood grain. Then use a gel stain for easiest application.
Should I paint or stain kitchen cabinets?
It depends on your goals. Stain highlights the natural wood grain while paint covers it. Paint is great for dramatic color changes but requires more prep work. Stain is applied directly over raw wood. Both methods yield beautiful results!
Conclusion
Refinishing kitchen cabinets allows you to give your kitchen a full makeover at a fraction of the cost of new cabinetry. With some time and effort, you can strip or sand your cabinets, apply fresh new stain or paint, and end up with cabinets that look brand new. Use high quality products, proper prep methods, and take time with the finishing steps for best results. Your beautiful “new” cabinets will bring you joy for years to come!