Cabinet refinishing is a surface-only refurbishment that won’t change your cabinets’ structure or functionality as much as a full replacement. It can also cost less than refacing and can often be completed in one day.
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If you want your cabinet paint job to last, proper preparation is key. A good cleaning with warm water and dish soap is a must; degreaser helps if there are stubborn stains. You will also need to sand the surface to prep it for painting. This removes the previous finish and smooths any imperfections that may have appeared over time. For smaller dings and scratches, wood fillers made for cabinets can be used to repair them and then sanded again once they have dried. After everything is sanded and clean the surfaces you will need to apply a coat of high-quality bonding primer to prepare for your new paint job. Priming seals the wood grain against stains and helps to create a stronger bond between the cabinet surface and any upcoming layers of paint.
Once the primer is dry it’s time to start the actual refinishing process. This is a time consuming task that involves hand-sanding or spray painting the surfaces to be painted. We typically do this inside the house, working on one cabinet at a time so that it doesn’t take up too much of our living space or our customers’. During this part of the project, we use a special TSP solution that is specifically made for prepping a surface before painting. You can find this at any hardware store or online; follow the directions on the bottle for mixing and application.
After the refinishing is complete, we use several coats of high-quality, professional-grade cabinet paint to achieve the look you desire. Our signature finishing process produces a finish that is durable and will last for years to come.
Stripping
Refinishing is a good option for wood cabinets that are in reasonably good condition and need an update. It’s also an excellent option for cabinet doors and drawer fronts, whether they’re made of solid wood or medium-density fiberboard (MDF). The first step in this process is to strip the existing finish, which can be done either by hand or using chemical strippers.
Chemical stripping is the best choice for most projects. It’s a relatively simple process that involves applying the stripper to the piece of furniture, allowing it to sit for the recommended amount of time, then scraping and/or scrubbing off. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and removal, as well as safety precautions.
The alternative to chemical stripping is mechanical stripping, which uses abrasive pads and tools to physically remove the existing finish. This method is less labor intensive than sanding, but it can still be challenging to accomplish on large pieces of furniture. It’s important to prepare the surface of the furniture for stripping by removing hardware and covering areas that you don’t want to work on with painter’s tape and newspaper.
Once the old finish is removed, it’s important to thoroughly clean the surface with a solution of water and mild detergent. This ensures that all chemical residue is removed, and it’s also a good opportunity to make sure that the surfaces are free of dust particles. Next, a light sanding with fine-grit sandpaper is needed to roughen the surface and improve the adhesion of the primer and later paint. Always sand in the direction of the wood grain to avoid scratches. Depending on the type of finish you’re going for, this may be all that’s required before painting.
Repairing
Cabinet refacing and refinishing offer two different options for upgrading your kitchen. Refacing involves replacing your existing cabinets’ doors and drawer fronts with custom maple ones, offering you full control over the material, size, and style for a truly transformative result. Refinishing, on the other hand, allows you to refresh your cabinetry without replacing them. This cost-friendly approach is perfect for those seeking a quick aesthetic upgrade, historic preservation, or a temporary solution to longer-term renovations.
The first step in preparing your cabinets for refinishing is to ensure they’re structurally sound and free of major damage or disrepair. If you notice any warping, swelling, or rot in the wood, it’s essential to address these issues promptly to prevent further deterioration. If the problem is minor and isolated, however, it’s often possible to repair it with wood fillers or touch-up markers.
Aside from addressing structural concerns, your cabinetry may also need minor repairs in the form of scratches, nicks, and discoloration. For this task, you’ll want to have a variety of tools on hand, including a sturdy hammer for making minor adjustments, a screwdriver set for loose hinges or knobs, and wood glue for repairing deeper cracks. Sandpaper in various grits is useful for smoothing rough spots and prepping surfaces for finishing, while a putty knife will come in handy when applying wood filler.
Hilgenberg used Bondo, a versatile auto body filler that’s ideal for this type of repair, to make the repaired area blend in seamlessly with the rest of the cabinet. After the filler had dried, he sanded it smooth to prepare for priming and painting. He then applied two coats of shellac-based primer, sanding lightly between each application, and finally finished the job with two coats of color, sanding again between each coat to ensure an even finish.
Staining
A major benefit of staining cabinets is that it gives a natural, real wood look to the kitchen that can’t be achieved with paint. Stains also come in many different colors, allowing homeowners to find the perfect color for their kitchen. Another pro of staining cabinets is that you can purchase touch-up markers that are the same color or close to the color of your cabinet stain, which makes it easier to touch up minor scratches and nicks on your cabinet surfaces as they happen over time.
If you choose to stain your cabinets, the first step is to remove all the cabinet doors and drawer fronts, as well as any hardware like handles or hinges. If possible, place these in labeled plastic baggies to simplify reinstallation. Next, thoroughly clean the cabinet interiors and exteriors using TSP. Be sure to use a damp cloth or sponge and not to saturate the wood, as this can cause warping or damage your cabinet boxes and doors over time.
After a thorough cleaning, sand the cabinets down to the natural wood surface. This can be done by hand or with a power sander. Be sure to sand in the direction of the grain and be very careful not to go too deep, as this can make your cabinet wood susceptible to water damage and mold growth. Once you’ve sanded, vacuum up the sanding dust and wipe down the cabinet interiors and exteriors again with mineral spirits to prepare them for the stain.
Once your cabinet surfaces are ready, begin by testing the new stain in an inconspicuous area. Follow the directions on the label of your stain product, and remember to apply a few thin coats of stain for best results. Once the stain has dried, it’s time to reinstall the hardware and cabinet doors.
Painting
Cabinet painting involves much less work than refacing, but it still requires careful surface preparation. The first step is to mask off any surfaces you want to protect from paint splatter. This can be done with tape, plastic, and paper. Taking this time allows you to be very precise with your work and can make the difference between a great-looking finish and one that’s nicked and scraped in no time.
Once all the sanding is done, a good commercial oil-based primer should be applied to all surfaces to be painted. This undercoat is essential for longevity and provides a “tooth” for new coats of paint to adhere to. If the cabinets are stained or have a polyurethane finish, this step is even more critical to avoid future chipping and peeling.
After the primer dries, you can begin painting. Choose a color that suits the overall style of your kitchen, and be sure to apply multiple coats for maximum durability. You can use an acrylic latex or oil-based paint, depending on the type of finish that you already have on your cabinets. If you’re choosing to add a metallic finish, be sure to use a premium spray paint for best results.
As you can see, refacing and refinishing your cabinets can be a big project, but the payoff is a flawless, professional-grade finish that’s made to last. It’s also a fraction of the cost of replacing your cabinets altogether! If you’re interested in giving your old cabinets a facelift, contact us to discuss our process and see what we can do for you. Our team will walk you through the options and help you choose a design that will fit your needs and taste.