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Refinishing Kitchen Cabinets By Melissa J Wantuck  |
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 Homeowners who have wooden kitchen cabinets and are looking for a cost-effective way to update their kitchens without spending thousands of dollars on complete remodeling projects that include replacing their old cabinets should consider refinishing their wood cabinets. Refinishing cabinets and doing it yourself won’t cost you a lot of money but it will be a lot of work. You’ll need to plan about a week for the entire project.
Refinishing means sanding, staining and finishing wood. The condition of your cupboards will determine how much work is involved but as long as the cabinets are still in strong sturdy condition and all they’ve seen are dirt and minor wear and tear over the years, refinishing will rejuvenate their look and transform your kitchen into a polished workspace.
Depending on the size of your kitchen and the number of cabinets you have, an average cost for supplies will be $100-$150. Here is a list of basic supplies:
- Sandpaper: both medium and light grit (120 and 220)
- Tack cloth
- Steel wool: fine
- Foam brushes
- Rubber gloves
- Wood stain
- Polyurethane: finish style of your choice
- Paper towels
Supplies you should have on hand that you might have around your house and won’t cost you anything to buy are:
- Old sheets
- Small sturdy-bristled brush (like a vegetable brush)
- Large sturdy-bristled brush (like a snow brush)
Another tool that will make a refinishing job the easiest possible is to have an electric hand mouse sander. A good one costs about $30 with refill packs ranging around $2 each. Have extra packs of refill paper on hand in both 120 and 220 grit.
Getting Started
The first step when refinishing is to remove your cupboard doors. Use masking tape and label all of your doors so you know which goes where when you’re ready to put them back on. Put a piece of tape on the back of the door and another piece inside the cupboard with a matching identification. Remove the hardware and label that as well if you feel it is necessary the same hardware goes back on the same door.
Workspace
Set up a workspace where you’ll have good ventilation and cover from any rain or particles in the air. A garage or a basement are two of the best areas.
Cleaning and Sanding
Clean the wood door using a wood cleaner, scrubbing spots that have heavy dirt build-up with a small sturdy-bristled brush. Dry immediately and thoroughly.
Sanding is next and will require the most work, which is why a hand sander is good to have. Sand the doors outside and away from the location where you’ll be finishing the doors.
If your cupboards have a lot of wear and tear and stains on them, or if you’re uncertain what the old finish is on them, you’ll probably want to strip off the old finish completely by sanding down to the bare wood. Use the 120 grit paper for this. If your stain is in good condition, you’ll simply be sanding to rough up the wood a bit to accept the finish and skip using a wood stain altogether. Use the 220 grit paper for this.
After sanding, dust off the doors using the large brush then wipe them down with the tack cloth to remove all particles before staining or applying the finish.
Staining
If your doors require staining, choose a stain that either matches your existing cabinets or change the stain for a new look. Test out different colors on the inside of the cabinet doors.
Apply the stain using a piece of an old sheet that is clean. Wear rubber gloves during the process to protect your skin from the stain. Allow the stain to set for as long as you want. The less time the lighter the stain. For a darker stain color, let it sit longer. Wipe off excess stain with paper towels. Allow the doors to dry according to the instructions on the container.
Finishing
When you buy your polyurethane, determine how shiny you want your cupboards to be. Satin finish will give a matte look and there is also semi-gloss and glossy for shinier finishes.
Apply the finish with a foam brush and allow the doors to dry for the proper amount of time according to the instructions on the container.
After the finish has dried, sand lightly using the steel wool, wipe with a tack cloth and then apply a second coat. A third coat may be needed. If so, sand and wipe down like you did after the first coat. Sanding is not necessary after the final coat of finish has dried.
Cupboard frames
Sand, stain and finish the frames of the cupboards the same way you did the doors but before sanding, either empty the cupboards or close them off with old sheets. Secure the sheets inside the frames of the cupboards and then spray the sheets to dampen them. The dampened sheets will collect the dust while you sand and keep the dust from settling in your cupboards on their contents. Ventilate your kitchen, especially during the finishing phase and vacuum up all of the sanding dust after each time you’ve sanded.
Hardware
While you’re waiting for your cupboards to dry between coats, if you’re keeping your old hardware, consider repainting them to spruce them up. This may cost you as little as a few dollars for a can of spray paint to give your existing hardware a new look. Wash all of the hardware to remove grime, dry thoroughly then sand with 120 grit paper. Sanding roughs up the surface of the hardware so the new paint will stick to it.
Find a piece of scrap wood and drill holes in it to fit your hardware. Attach the hardware to the board and paint them according to the instructions on the spray can.
Re-assemble your refinished cupboards and enjoy your new kitchen! It will be hard work but you won’t be able to put a price tag on your sense of accomplishment.
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