Refinishing Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are found in most homes and do eventually require maintenance. These pieces of furniture become worn, scratched, and damaged over time. At this point one must replace, refinish, or reface the cabinets. Refinishing is by far the most inexpensive option. This project requires a few relatively basic steps.
The first thing one must do is disassemble the cabinets. Unscrew and remove each cabinet door as well as the front of any drawers that need refinished. If the drawer fronts cannot be removed, it will be necessary to remove the entire drawer. One can keep track of which cabinet doors belong to which cabinets by placing them in order or marking each with a numbered piece of masking tape. All hinges, shelves, and knobs must also be removed.
When refinishing these cabinets, it is important to place them on a dry, level surface in a well ventilated area. You will then need to use a degreaser to thoroughly clean each piece that is being refinished. These pieces must then be allowed to dry.
The next step is sanding the cabinets. Start out with coarse sandpaper or sanding sponges, then finish smoothing the cabinets with fine sandpaper. If there are any dents or chip in the wood, they can be filled with wood putty. The putty may then be sanded smooth. When the cabinets are smooth, remove the dust using a vacuum and tack rags.
It is now time to apply the stain. This is usually done by using a bristle paintbrush. Any excess stain can be removed using a clean rag. Once you have stained the cabinets, they must be allowed to dry completely. This may take up to a day depending on the stain.
Applying the finish gives the cabinets a clear, protective coating. Polyurethane finishes are the most common, although wax and oil based finished are used occasionally. Some finished can be applied by spraying them on, while others must be applied using a brush or cloth. Brush stroke marks can be easily avoided by using a wipe on finish. The finish should be allowed plenty of time to dry before reassembling the cabinets.
This project can be completed with these simple steps. Refinishing kitchen cabinets is an inexpensive way to improve the appearance of your cabinets. This is a common home improvement project and can usually be done by the homeowners themselves.
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