Are you looking to add some flare to your kitchen? Refinishing your kitchen cabinets may be easier than you think! With this guide, you can spruce up your cooking space and create an inviting atmosphere for family and friends. Reinvigorate your kitchen with a fresh coat of paint and some DIY love.
Cleaning and Sanding the Cabinets
Before starting the refinishing process, it’s crucial to thoroughly clean and sand your kitchen cabinets to prepare them for painting or staining. A reputable kitchen cabinet provider can offer guidance on the best cleaning and sanding techniques for your particular cabinets.
Next, use sandpaper to remove any existing paint or varnish as well as smooth out any imperfections in the wood. Work from coarse (80-grit) to fine (320-grit) sandpaper for best results. Once all of the sandings is complete, wipe away any remaining dust with a dry cloth.
Now that your cabinets are clean, dry, and prepped, they’re ready for refinishing!
Choosing the Right Type of Paint and Finish
The key to having well-refinished kitchen cabinets is to use the right type of paint and finish. It’s important to select a type of paint and finish that will last while providing an attractive, durable finish. You should keep in mind the following criteria when choosing your paint and finish:
- Choose a paint with a high level of pigment and an appropriate base for the cabinets you are refinishing. For example, if you are painting unfinished wood cabinets, choose an oil-based primer. If you are painting previously stained or lacquered surfaces, choose a latex or water-based primer specifically designed for use on these types of surfaces.
- Choose a paint that meets the highest quality standards for surface coverage, durability, and resistance to mildew and fading.
- Select an appropriate sheen level – semi-gloss for kitchen cabinets gives them great wear resistance without being overly glossy or reflective in bright light. Avoid low-sheen paints because they tend not to last as long as paints with higher gloss levels.
- Be sure to purchase enough paint so that you can complete all the coats needed according to the instructions on the product label. Usually, two coats of primer followed by two coats of color are necessary when refinishing kitchen cabinets.
Masking Off Areas and Protecting Surrounding Surfaces
In order to avoid refinishing mistakes and damage to surrounding surfaces, it is important to prepare thoroughly before beginning your kitchen cabinet refinishing project. After the cabinets have been cleaned and sanded, it’s time to mask off all of the necessary areas and protect anything that may be close by.
Start with the flooring, countertops, and walls around the cabinets. Place drop cloths over these surfaces and secure them with painter’s tape if needed. It’s best to apply plastic or paper drop cloths rather than cloth or canvas as these materials are less likely to stick when Scotch-guard protection is applied at a later stage in the project. In addition, tape off around any hardware that will not be replaced during the refinishing process; this includes drawer pulls, hinges, etc.
If you are replacing your cabinet doors, use masking tape or painter’s blue tape along the edges where you don’t want a new finish on your frames or existing doors that may remain in place. Once all of these areas are masked off properly, you can begin to rub walls down with fine grit sandpaper before applying any primers or paints that will form part of your base coat before finishing with either solvent-based lacquer or waterborne polyurethane topcoat sealant.
Applying a Primer to the Cabinets
The primer is an essential part of the refinishing process and helps ensure that the top coats of paint will adhere properly and last. Before applying any primer, make sure the surfaces are clean and free from dust and dirt. If you’re working with wood, lightly sand it with fine sandpaper to achieve a smooth finish.
Choose an appropriate type of primer for the material your cabinets are made out of:
- oil-based primers for wood cabinets,
- shellac for materials with high tannin content or
- water-based primers for economical use.
A quality brush should be used to apply the primer in an even coat, following the direction of the grain wherever possible. Take time to ensure all exposed surfaces are covered evenly without leaving any gaps or streaks behind – this is especially important if you’re going to be using a darker top coat after applying a light-colored primer. Allow the primer to dry completely between coats before moving on – this could take anywhere from 1–24 hours depending on drying conditions and the types of primers used.
Applying the First Coat of Paint or Stain
Before beginning any refinishing project, it is important to make sure the cabinets are thoroughly cleaned and free from any dirt or debris. Once you have prepped and cleaned the cabinets, it is time to start applying the first coat of paint or stain. Depending on the look you are trying to achieve, there are different ways to apply new colors – painting or staining.
Painting: When painting, it’s important to use a high-quality primer that is designed for wood surfaces. Start with a light coat of primer and wait 24 hours for it to dry before applying the final coats of paint. Apply even strokes using a brush or roller and always paint in the same direction as the wood grain.
For best results, wait 24 hours between each coat of paint and sand lightly between each coat. Remember that multiple thin coats will give you better coverage than one too-thick coat. Once your topcoat is fully cured, carefully reattach all hardware such as hinges, handles and door pulls.
Staining: Start by applying a thin even layer with a brush in long strokes along with the grain of the wood. Wait for about 15 minutes for this first layer to penetrate then blot off any excess stain with a rag before it dries completely (If you don’t do this step properly, you could end up with an uneven finish). Wait 48 hours for your finish to cure before adding additional coats if desired – remember that multiple thin layers will give you better coverage than one too-thick coating applied hastily!
Sanding Between Coats
It is important to sand between each coat of finish that is applied to your kitchen cabinets. Sanding will ensure that you have a smooth, even finish with no rough patches. Before beginning, make sure that the cabinets are clean and free from any dirt or dust particles.
To properly sand the cabinets between coats, start with medium-grit paper and lightly sand the surface. You should use long, even strokes in the same direction as the grain of the wood. For maximum efficiency, use an electric sander or a hand sander; however, it is possible to manually do this step using your own hands.
Continue sanding until you have removed any bumps or imperfections in the wood’s surface and made it smooth for painting or staining.
After sanding is complete, use a vacuum cleaner with a soft-bristled attachment to remove all remaining dust particles from your work area. Once all surfaces are clean and free from debris, you can apply another layer of primer or paint if desired.
Be sure not to overload your brush as this can create streaks on your finished product! Use light and even strokes until you achieve your desired results before allowing it to dry completely and starting on the next coat of paint or stain.
Applying Subsequent Coats of Paint or Finish
Once you have completed the priming stage, you are ready to apply the final paint or finish. Before you start brushing and rolling, make sure that your work surface is properly prepared. This means sanding any rough edges or bumps that may have arisen during the priming stage, dusting off any surfaces with a cloth, and making sure that the area is well-ventilated.
Applying subsequent coats of paint or finish will require patience, as it is important to wait long enough between coats for the previous layer to dry completely.
The next step is applying your chosen paint or finishing with a brush and/or roller. Beforehand, check the manufacturer’s instructions thoroughly in order to determine which tools you should use for this step (for example – polyurethane will require a roller while eggshell-based paints are better applied with a brush).
Then begin brushing on each door in turn starting from one corner and quartering outwards – use slow steady strokes to ensure even coverage and if possible avoid overlapping edges. Once all four sides have been covered with one layer repaint each side as needed until you have achieved your desired level of coverage. Finally, for a professional finish touch up the edges with a small smooth brush before leaving it all to dry overnight.
Drying and Curing Time
When you have finished staining and sealing your cabinets, you will need to ensure that they have plenty of time to fully cure. The type of stain and sealant you have used will determine the length of drying and curing time necessary. Generally speaking, water-based stains and finishes will dry more quickly than oil-based products. After staining, be sure to leave your cabinets for at least 4 hours to dry and cure properly.
Once the first coat has dried, apply a second coat following the same steps as before. Allow this coat extra time to dry – usually 24-48 hours – before beginning the task of rehanging your doors and replacing hardware. If a third coat is needed, allow 24-48 hours before beginning usage or further finishing of your cabinets.
Be sure to check with the manufacturer’s instructions when considering finishing options for your cabinets as suggested drying times can vary based on factors such as temperature, humidity levels, and thickness of coats applied. During curing periods, keep in mind that it’s best for cabinet surface temperatures not to exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius).
Reinstalling Hardware and Reassembling the Cabinets
With the refinished cabinets clean and dry, you’re now ready to reinstall hardware and reassemble the cabinets. Measure the location of any handles, knobs, or other hardware you plan to use on each door or drawer front. Mark the spot by tracing a pencil outline around each piece; this will help you line up the hardware when it is time for installation.
If necessary, use a tape measure to ensure that all pieces are evenly spaced apart. Once everything is marked, carefully unscrew and remove all of the existing hardware from your doors or drawers and set them aside. Begin installing the new hardware one piece at a time. For overlapping screw heads (when one screw head resides partially on top of another), remember to first thread both screws into their respective holes before tightening them down completely in order to ensure proper alignment.
Securely fasten each piece of new hardware onto the cabinet doors and drawer fronts. After reinstalling any door hinges that were removed prior to refinishing, you’ll want to begin reassembling your cabinets—in their original positions—one part at a time. Start by firmly attaching upper frame pieces onto bottom frame pieces with dowels and screws, utilizing wood glue if needed for extra stability and strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
What supplies do I need to refinish my kitchen cabinets?
You will need sandpaper, a damp cloth, wood cleaner, a paintbrush, a roller, a primer, paint, and a sealer.
How do I prepare the kitchen cabinets for refinishing?
Start by cleaning the cabinet surfaces with a damp cloth and wood cleaner. Sand any areas that are rough or have been previously painted. After sanding, wipe down the cabinets with a damp cloth to remove any dust. Then, use a paintbrush to apply a primer to the cabinets. Allow the primer to dry before applying a coat of paint.
How do I apply the sealer to the kitchen cabinets?
Once the paint has completely dried, use a roller to apply a coat of sealer to the cabinets. Allow the sealer to dry before using the cabinets. For added protection, you can apply a second coat of sealer.
Conclusion
Completing this project will be a rewarding experience and you can be proud of the end result. Refinishing your kitchen cabinets may make all the difference in making your home feel more inviting and comfortable. It’s even a great way to add value to your property.
Take into consideration all the available materials, tools, and techniques to ensure that you are successful in achieving the desired outcome. With proper maintenance, those refinished cabinets will last a lifetime.
