Is it time to refinish your kitchen cabinets? A lot of time and effort goes into refinishing cabinets especially when it is done like a professional. When refinishing a cabinet it is important not to skip steps to hasten the project. For the results you want you must take all of the right steps. McKay’s Painting will share what steps are needed to refinish kitchen cabinets to ensure the results you want.

Step 1. Remove All Kitchen Cabinet Hardware
The first step and one that is skipped all too often is to remove all of the hardware. You will need to remove all of the hinges and knobs or handles off. You will then remove the doors from the cabinet boxes. Remove all the internal hardware and shelves as well and set side so they too can be refinished. For those who are doing their own cabinet refinishing, use an electrical drill, it will go much faster.

Step 2. Clean Kitchen Cabinets
Once all of the hardware is off and the cabinets are broken down to the basics, your next step is to clean them. Kitchen cabinets are often covered in grease and dirt. Therefore, you will want to remove the grease to avoid ruining your sandpaper or sanding pads. Use a degreaser such as Trisodium phosphate with a sponge. Liquid dish soap can also remove grease although it may just take longer. Additionally, do not over wet the wood. Once the cabinets have been cleaned inside and out, dry them off and leave to dry out.

Step 3. Fill Holes & Repair Damages Before Painting or Staining
Once all of the cabinet components are cleaned and dry you will want to fill in all of the holes, cracks, or dents in the wood with a wood putty filler. Make sure to get a stain-able putty filler if you are replacing hardware or the repair will be seen if you are staining the wood. For those who plan to use paint, the type of wood putty doesn’t matter as much.

Step 4. Sand Cabinets & Clean Again
You are now at the point you can begin sanding down the cabinets. Start with a rough grit sand paper such as a 100 grit. Sand down every piece with the 100 grit sandpaper. The surface will feel rough but will remove most of the wood’s imperfections. Once you have finished sanding them down with the 100 grit, follow up with a 150 or 180 grit sandpaper to smooth out the cabinet’s surface. Wipe down each piece as you finish.

Step 5. Paint or Stain & Seal
You can now begin painting or staining the cabinet. Do not rush staining as you can ruin the wood with too much stain. Apply small amounts of stain at a time. With a clean cloth, wipe of the excess stain. To make the stain darker you will need to apply multiple coats. Make sure each coat of stain is completely dry before adding more stain. Again do not overdo it with the stain. In most cases two coats are enough. Once the final coat of stain is dry apply a varnish or sealer. You can use a roller, painting sponge or paint brush to apply the varnish. Again do not rush it or use too much varnish.

Step 6. Assemble Cabinet Hardware
Once the sealer or varnish is dry, the hardware is ready to be put back on and the cabinet put back together. Make sure the hardware is on snug and the cabinet door does not sag.

Kitchen Cabinet Painting, Staining, Refinishing & More in Ventura, Ojai, Newbury Park, Westlake Village, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills & Santa Barbara California

Refinishing kitchen cabinets is a lot of work. For those with a busy life style or if don’t have the skills to do this project yourself, contact McKay’s Painting.