Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing Tips and Techniques

There are many ways to deal with old and tired looking cabinets. While the first thought one might have would be to just tear out the existing cabinets and replace them with brand new cabinetry, this may not be the best way to deal with the issue. Of course, while installing new cabinets will provide you with many options that might not be available with your present cabinets, a little investigation may reveal enough available options to make you rethink the decision of replacing your cabinets. When all options are considered, you may find that refinishing kitchen cabinets may be a much better solution for many reasons.

If you have priced new cabinetry lately, you have likely found that even the cost of stock cabinets at a big box home improvement center can run in the thousands of dollars. Many times, stock cabinets will not be able to be used if your existing cabinets were custom built for your home during the initial construction. If you choose to replace your cabinets with brand new custom cabinets, the cost can easily run into the tens of thousands of dollars. In addition to the cost of constructing or purchasing new cabinets, you must also consider the cost of tear out and installation of the new cabinets, plumbing costs to unhook and hook the plumbing back up, and the cost of replacing the counter tops. All of these costs may cause you to end your remodeling project before it even begins.

Now, if you elect to undertake a refinishing kitchen cabinets project instead, all of the above costs can be avoided if you choose. You may still choose to replace your counter tops which will also cause you to incur most, if not all, of the plumbing costs mentioned above, but again, these will be options as opposed to necessities. Refinishing your cabinets can be accomplished for just a few hundred dollars if you have just average do it yourself skills and are willing to spend a little time on the project. Even if you choose to have a professional come in and do the job, it can be done for a fraction of the cost of replacing your cabinets.

Take the time to evaluate the style and condition of your cabinets before you make the decision to replace or try refinishing kitchen cabinets. If you are happy with the style of doors that are on your existing cabinets there is really no need to replace them. Check the condition of your cabinet boxes, doors, and drawers. If you find that they are all in good condition and still operate smoothly, again, there is no need to have them replaced.

If you purchase high quality finish products designed to be used on cabinets, as well as professional grade tools to do the job, and take the time necessary to allow the finishes to cure between coats, you will find that refinishing kitchen cabinets can produce results that you will be extremely happy with. Your newly refinished kitchen cabinets will not only give your kitchen that fresh and updated look you sought when you first considered your kitchen upgrade, but will save you enough money that you can provide upgrades in other areas that will make your kitchen much more functional, as well as, more modern and up to date. All in all, I think you will find refinishing kitchen cabinets a much more viable option than replacing them.

Kitchen cabinet refinishing or refacing them, instead of cabinet replacement, lets you upgrade your kitchen at a price you can afford and allows for the new custom look you desire. If you are planning to remodel your kitchen you have found out that it is not cheap and that a significant portion of the cost is for cabinetry. Also, new kitchen cabinets can be costly and time consuming to install. All is not lost though. As long as your cabinets are in decent shape, with these alternatives you can give your kitchen a fabulous new look quickly, without busting your budget.

The most visible and used elements of your kitchen are also the most abused, the kitchen cabinets. So it makes sense that after a while cabinets start to look tired and worn and so does your kitchen. The fact is that most kitchen cabinets are in good shape structurally and only in need of a new look. With many colors, stains and wood veneers refinishing kitchen cabinets is a surefire way to transform your kitchen from old and worn to a dramatically fresh new appearance, which is best for you.

The least expensive solution of the two, if you do not want to spend time and money on a big kitchen remodeling job, is refinishing kitchen cabinets. Refinishing kitchen cabinets is achieved by either painting or staining the cabinetry and cabinet doors. This is very inexpensive compared to cabinet replacement and can improve with dramatic effect the look of your kitchen. For the best results, a professional should paint or stain the cabinets. Great results can be achieved by a trained refinishing professional, inexpensively. However a DIY job is possible, if you have the time and tools you can easily refinish your own kitchen cabinets and save even more.

Refacing kitchen cabinets is more expensive than refinishing kitchen cabinets but still a fraction of the cost to replace them. Here is how it works, the old cabinet doors and drawers are removed, stripped, and inspected for damage then the door and drawer fronts are replaced with new surfaces ranging from new wood veneer to laminate. The cabinet frames and exterior surfaces are covered or refaced to match and the inside of the cabinets are cleaned and painted to complete kitchen cabinet refacing.

If the kitchen cabinet hardware is not damaged it can be cleaned and re-installed. But, this is a great time to choose new cabinet hardware, doing so will let you really add your personality to the kitchen and complete the stunning transformation of your new look, refaced or refinished kitchen cabinets, on the cheap.

The time required for refacing or refinishing kitchen cabinets depends on the size of the kitchen but usually can be completed within 3-5 days. This means that your kitchen will not be a unusable total wreck for weeks or even months that cabinet replacement requires.

Buying all new cabinets for a complete remodeling of the kitchen is not in the budget of most homeowners. But as you can see up dating your kitchen need not break the bank or be time consuming. Your kitchen and home can have a stunning new look by simply refacing kitchen cabinets or refinishing kitchen cabinets.

Whether you want to enhance the value of your home for sale or just improve its look for the enjoyment of yourself and your family, refinishing kitchen cabinets will provide more bang for your buck than just about anything you can do with your house. If, like many people, you have more time than money available, taking on this labor-intensive chore can really generate a nice return on your investment.

If you happen to have in place high quality wooden or metal kitchen cabinets, you are even further ahead of the game. As time has gone on, manufacturers have cut costs by flooding the market with particle board cabinets, which puts a premium on the all-wood cabinets often installed in years gone by. If you have metal kitchen cabinets, you can ride the wave of resurgent interest in these units, which were originally popular in the 1940s and 50s.

Having said all that, however, be advised that refinishing kitchen cabinets may not prove to be the cakewalk one might expect from reading internet articles designed to fire one up to undertake such a task. Anticipate that there will be challenges encountered in the course of any re-finishing project. Take a hard look at the number and size of your kitchen cabinets, as well as your own experience and level of ‘handiness’, to say nothing of your own ability to see things through. There is a lot of surface area in a typical set of kitchen cabinets, and, do not forget that there are inner and outer faces to be dealt with.

It may be wise to start your refinishing kitchen cabinets with the interior faces. As you gain experience, any less than ideal results obtained will at least not be in your face and the faces of your guests every time you walk into the kitchen. Also, refinishing the interiors of your kitchen cabinets can be frustrating and awkward. If you can get through that part of the job, the refinishing kitchen cabinet exteriors will seem easy by comparison.

If you are going to go to the trouble to strip your old cabinets, be aware that chemical strippers, at least in my experience, do not make the job as easy or complete as generally advertised. Expect that there is going to be some sanding involved. Also expect that there is going to be more mess and inconvenience and time spent than you may anticipate.

The best thing to do before launching on such a major refinishing kitchen cabinets project, to my way of thinking, is to talk directly with someone who has actually done this job before. Find someone who has no axe to grind and who will be frank with you.

If you still think you have what it takes to complete this big undertaking, have at it. The benefits of a nicely done job of refinishing kitchen cabinets are real. Just be aware going in that the results do not just magically appear, they require a lot of hard work and commitment.

A cost effective way to make your kitchen area look and feel brand new is through refinishing kitchen cabinets. Cupboards can be efficiently dressed up to give an old kitchen a new lease on life. This task is relatively easy, especially if the material used in your cabinets is flexible to alterations.

Cabinet refinishing is a proficient method to save money and still have a distinctive and beautiful kitchen. The expenses can be minimal if the kitchen cabinets are still in good shape and if you love doing things yourself. All you need to do is plan, put forth a little effort, and employ your designs.

The steps in refinishing kitchen cabinets can be equally applied to bookshelves and any built in bathroom vanities and cabinets. You can achieve several decorative effects during the refinishing project, particularly with paint. A different hue on the crackle or doors is just one of the examples.

The overall appearance of your kitchen will dramatically change by renewing the existing finish or refinishing with a stain or paint. To get some ideas on how to achieve the look of rustic kitchen cabinets or other designs, check cabinets from the Home Depot store or visit online cabinet manufacturers like Kitchen Craft.

Painting Kitchen Cabinets

Painted cabinets surely add a new style to a once dreary kitchen. A strong scratch resistant finish is effective not only in giving out an entirely new look but also ensuring that your kitchen cabinets can be easily cleaned and maintained. All of these excellent features go for a fraction of the price of a new set of wood vanities or cabinets.

Glazes

Applying a glaze over paint is a resourceful technique to put emphasis on details and give the cabinets a great look. A glaze can be utilized to provide an aged look to newly coated cabinetry.

Crackle Finish

This is a great way to fashion unique designs of cabinetry. Crackling can provide a subtle change or a bold statement with the appropriate choice of colors. Include some crackling and glazing to transform very old but good quality cabinets into modern ones.

Antiquing

This entails distressing the current finish or antiquing and combining a new stain. Many unique decorative effects can be done using this refinishing technique.

If you find the existing look and appeal of your kitchen beautiful, but you want the “new” feel and look, you just have to use a little elbow grease, some good tools, and appropriate materials to bring back the life of your cabinets.

Refinishing kitchen cabinets is one of the most economical but efficient home improvement projects for homeowners like you.

A brand new bathroom or kitchen is possible with just refinishing cabinets. Kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities can be re-varnished, bringing new life to an old kitchen or bathroom. In addition, depending on the state of the wooden cabinets, this may be a very easy task.
Cabinet refinishing is a terrific way to save money, as it can be a much less expensive option, and still create a beautiful and one of a kind kitchen. The cost entailed can be minimal if your present cabinets are in decent shape. The DIY house owner can save thousands of dollars compared to purchasing new cabinets, and all it requires is a little effort.The following steps may be applied to bathroom vanities also, and any built in cabinetry, such as bookshelves.
Many decorative effects can be created during any cabinet refinishing project. Different colored doors, or a crackle finish is just a couple of the many examples available. ‚Ä®‚Ä®The ambiance and mood of your kitchen or bathroom can be dramatically improved by either revitalizing your current finish, or refinishing with paint or stain.  Painted cabinets can add a new style to a dreary kitchen or bathroom. A tough scratch resistant finish is desirable, resulting in an entirely new style that can be maintained easily.  For a fraction of the cost of a new set of wood cabinets or vanities you can revitalize your home by refinishing cabinets.
Use A Glazing Decorative Effect: Utilizing a glaze over paint is a terrific way to highlight details and give the refinished cabinets a unique look.
Applying Crackle Finish: This is a popular way to create a bring new and very different style. Crackling can be a statement or a minute change with the right selection of color. Add some glazing plus crackling can take on the look of antique cabinets.
Revitalize Your Current Finish: If you like the look of your kitchen or bathroom the way your current cabinets are refinished, the finish can be revitalized to look brand new again. Staining your cabinets can bring them back to life with simply a bit of elbow grease, the proper materials and some tools. Refinishing kitchen cabinets is one of the most popular and cost effective ways for a homeowner to improve their kitchen.
Restain Over Your Existing Finish: Restaining over existing finishes is another option. This usually includes the use of a gel stain and can provide dramatic color changes, especially with lightly colored refinished cabinets. Restaining cabinets is a brilliant alternative to replacing or resurfacing.
Now that you are convinced that cabinet refinishing is better than replacing all you need do is start work on your refinishing cabinets project.
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If a new look is what you are after, look at magazines and the local home improvement center for ideas. A blueprint of ideas is needed before you start.
Kitchen cabinet refinishing can be a large project that will take time and effort. Try to set up a temporary kitchen to minimize any interference with the refinishing process.
Clean, clean and clean some more. This is very crucial for the best results. Kitchens and bathrooms are difficult areas to keep clean. All soap and chemical residues or grease must be completely removed.
Take everything apart that you can. Remove all hinges and handles. Remove the doors and drawer fronts for easer sanding and application of the finish. Drawer fronts are often secured with a few screws to the drawer box. If your fronts cannot be removed, remove all items from the drawers and plan on refinishing with the fronts attached.
Try to have all the materials purchased before starting. This way you won’t run out in the middle of something. This includes choosing an interior wood stain color and having your samples handy for comparison.
Think safety first. Properly dispose of rags and cleaning chemicals. And wear the appropriate eye and lung protection.
Be patient. This is a big job that takes time to do right.
Cabinet refinishing is very affordable and a great do-it-yourself project that can involve many aspects of wood refinishing and repair. It will be a great day when you are finished. With a kitchen or bathroom that looks new, you will be the envy of everyone. With all the money saved by doing it yourself new projects can now become affordable.

How do they achieve that brown-black or "espresso" finish in wood furniture? You often see this at expensive furniture stores like Restoration Hardware, and in imported designer or restored pieces. Do they use wood dyes? Stain mixed with lacquer or polyurethane? Gel stain left on too long? Or just a bazillion coats of regular oil stain? I am trying to do this on an oak cabinet.
Thanks

It’s a completely detached 1/1 guest house, about 800 sqft craftsman-style guest house with a newly resurfaced kitchen and newer appliances (including dishwasher). It’s about 100 years old, has original woodwork and hardwood floors, and original clawfoot tub in the large all-tile bathroom. Comes with basic window coverings. No central heat or air. I have a window unit that the previous tenant was using in the summer, and there is an electric wall heater. It doesn’t get really hot here in the summer, but the winters can be quite cold. The unit is on one partially-landscaped acre that it shares with the main house. It has a separate driveway and a garage shed with a pretty old (but working) washer and dryer. There’s also a large brick patio out back. The rental is in a nice older neighborhood, about 15 minutes from the center of a medium-size city. No utilities included.

I have not been able to find any comps in this area. The previous tenant was paying 0, but he had been paying the same rent for 22 years and we made a lot of improvements after he moved out. We painted everything, put in a dishwasher, tore up the carpet and refinished the floors. We also put in tile counter tops and refaced the cabinets in the kitchen (all together about a ,000 update). Brand new 1/1 apartments about the same distance from town are going for about 0, but I don’t know if my unit should be more, less or the same price. It’s completely detached with its own outdoor area, virtually no noise from neighbors or the street, it has a lot of character, and it’s in a much more desirable neighborhood than most apartment complexes. It’s also a lot bigger than the average 1/1 But the unit is very old, with detached parking and no central heat and air, and no other amenities like a pool, clubhouse, or fitness center. I’m thinking 00 but my husband says that’s way too much. What do you think? We need to list it on Monday.

I’m refinishing my kitchen cabinets and practicing on some windows seals that we replaced with granite, my stain looks great, but my polyurethane isn’t quite so smooth. little bitty bubbles and a little streaks. I’m using mini wax semi gloss, which I think i’m going to switch to satin when I actually do the cabinets. seems to be to glossy with semi gloss. Any secretes to get that nice smooth look like the pro’s do. My cabinets were originally sprayed when the house was built, and I know i’m probably not going to get that perfect look that’s on there now, but I’ll take any advice you have to offer. Type of brush I should use , sanding etc? Please remember i’m just refering to the polyurethane steps.

Thanks

I’m refinishing my kitchen cabinets and practicing on some windows seals that we replaced with granite, my stain looks great, but my polyurethane isn’t quite so smooth. little bitty bubbles and a little streaks. I’m using mini wax semi gloss, which I think i’m going to switch to satin when I actually do the cabinets. seems to be to glossy with semi gloss. Any secretes to get that nice smooth look like the pro’s do. My cabinets were originally sprayed when the house was built, and I know i’m probably not going to get that perfect look that’s on there now, but I’ll take any advice you have to offer. Type of brush I should use , sanding etc? Please remember i’m just refering to the polyurethane steps.

Thanks

I think I’ll go refinish some cabinets I found. They are made of maple and are quite pretty.
I think it’s mostly Arabs stirring up crap anyhow. LOL