Refinishing cabinets as well as other furnishings and accessories in the home can be an arduous task. However, anyone can do it and it is a cost effective option. It definitely costs far less than replacing cabinetry, and it can provide a beautiful transformation.
If you have ever refinished a piece of furniture, you know what to expect. Refinishing cabinets requires much the same attention to detail and effort. It’s a lot like painting cabinets, but it does require a bit more time and skill.
Either way, please read the previous article, Re-facing Cabinets: Five Tips for Painting, for more information. It will show you the basics and you will learn that it is important to use the proper materials and tools and that prep work is a necessary part of painting and staining projects. The truth is refinishing or re-staining requires more effort than painting, but don’t be discouraged by that fact.
Refinishing enhances the beauty of your wood cabinetry and adding a deeper, richer color or using a lighter finish to brighten the space can help you give your kitchen or bath a gorgeous update that will add value to your home.
The most important things to keep in mind with refinishing are sanding and following the grain of the wood. Surfaces must be sanded perfectly, with no traces of existing stain or other finishes remaining. You must sand down to bare wood. After sanding the finish away, it is wise to hand sand to a smooth, velvety finish with fine-grain sandpaper. Be sure to wipe away any sanding residue when finished.
When applying stain, always move in the direction of the wood grain. You will see every brush, roller, or rag stroke if you don’t. Apply light, even coats in the proper direction and try not to overlap strokes by much. Overlaps will turn into darker areas. You can however, use a clean rag to blend your strokes, even things out, and remove excess stain.
You may need to apply several coats of stain in order to achieve the color or richness you desire. A clear, glossy top coat will help your cabinets shine like new and will protect the finish. Apply the top coat in the same manner, after assuring that the stain is completely dry.