Outdated cabinets can diminish the look of any home. Giving them a quick face lift can make your house instantly feel more modern and clean. Luckily, there are multiple refinishing options available to give new life to your existing cabinets without replacing the old ones.
As with any home improvement project, there is some prep work. In addition to removing the hardware, the cabinets need to be stripped and sanded or just sanded alone. Stripping helps remove any prior stain, paint and finish currently covering the cabinets. Sanding will remove the prior work as well, but it will also even out any imperfections that may exist in the wood. Each way has its benefits and some people even do both. The important thing to remember is that you can over do it. Too much stripping can damage the integrity of the wood, while over sanding can lead to an uneven surface or remove too much of the wood grain.
Once your cabinets are bare, you have two options for refinishing: painting and staining. The benefit to painting is ease. If the wood was previously painted, it does not have to be stripped or sanded all the way down to the wood. You will want to test the paint that is currently there to decide whether it’s latex or oil based. The outcome will determine the type of paint used and the amount of prep work to be done. All you need to do is soak a cotton ball in denature and rub it on the paint. If the paint rubs off, it was latex. If none rubs off, it was oil based. At this point, you can either stick to the same type of paint that was there already and do less prep work, or you can take it down to the wood and feel free to select any type of paint. It’s always good to use a primer as well. This method can also provide an easier surface to clean and maintain.
Staining is another great option to choose. It’s a beautiful look, especially with a clear coat finish. It isn’t necessary to add a finish to your stain, but it does preserve the wood. When staining, it is important to have a clean, even surface to work with. The stain must be applied evenly or you will be left with a streaky surface. When using this technique, you must make sure to not over sand when prepping. You want to the natural wood grain to still be present in order to achieve a finished look.
Refinishing your cabinets is exciting, but it can be daunting to do yourself. If you are interested in how to make your home look amazing, please don’t hesitate to contact us today!