A Complete Guide To Cabinet Refinishing

Cabinet refinishing is a vital part of a kitchen renovation. After repainting, your old and outdated cabinets can look stylish and new again. Considering the cost of new cabinetry, refinishing your existing cabinets can save you a considerable amount. The following are the basic cabinet refinishing tips.

Clean the Surface

Use a grease cutter to remove grease from the kitchen cabinets. This ensures the primer adheres properly. Also, clean every area. You’ll be applying tape to ensure it sticks properly. If you have stubborn oil and grease, ordinary cleaners may not be effective, so use tri-sodium phosphate (TSP). However, follow all the safety precautions on the container or allow an expert to do the cleaning.

Prepare the Room

You should prepare the room for a successful cabinet refinishing process. Empty the cabinets, clear off the counters, and remove any appliances nearby. Relocate the furniture and tables to another room and cover the countertop, flooring, fixed appliances, and interior door. Next, mask off the walls near the cabinets and set up a working surface for painting the shelves and drawers.

Remove Drawers and Doors

First, remove the knobs and pull from the drawers and doors. However, make sure to put the screws back in the pulls and knobs for easier installation. Remove every single screw attached to the frame and the doors and avoid dropping the doors. Store the screws in a sandwich bag according to sizes and label all the doors from top to bottom and left to right to avoid confusion when re-installing them.

Prime the Cabinet Boxes

Use a stain-blocking primer if your cabinets are heavily stained. The primer dries up quickly, thus covering the surface defects and sealing knots. In some situations, you can use an oil-based or acrylic latex primer. Put the right amount of primer in a paint tray. Load the roller, apply primer on the doors, cabinets, drawer fronts, and allow it to dry.

Surface Sanding

Using sandpaper, sand the flat surfaces until the wood feels glass smooth. If open seams exist, squeeze the latex caulk and smooth it with a damp finger. Fill every dent and scratch with latex caulk, and after drying, sand again and wipe with a tack cloth. For better results, use a variety of sandpaper to get the best grit and avoid scratching the surface.

Paint the Cabinets

After successfully priming and sanding your cabinets, it’s time to apply the paint. Pour the first coat of paint into a paint tray and, using a brush, paint the surface, corners, and edges. After the first coat has dried up, apply the second and third coats if necessary. Ensure the last coat provides a consistent and perfect finish. Once the paint is dry, reattach the drawer fronts and door. Install the knobs, pulls, and hinges back to their original state.

It’s time to enjoy your stylish and renewed kitchen. However, make sure you hire a professional painter for the best results. Some homeowners opt for DIY projects and end up making costly mistakes. A professional will plan and use the right tools and materials.