How To DIY
Cabinet REFINISHING 101
Refinishing cabinetry is the quickest way to refresh a kitchen. Here are nine steps to transforming dated or worn-out cabinets to make any space look completely new.
1. Remove doors and drawers
To begin, number your doors, drawers, and drawer fronts so you know exactly where each one goes. Even if all the drawers look the same, there may be slight differences that can cause issues once you put your freshly painted cabinets back together again.
Tip: Prepare baggies so your handles and hardware don’t get lost. Leave the baggies inside the cabinets. If installing new hinges or handles, patch all holes before you start painting. Compact hinges will need to be drilled prior to painting.
2. Wash and prep
This is the most important step – don’t overlook it. Thoroughly wash all areas that you plan to paint with a degreaser. Rinse with clean water and let it dry before you continue to the next step. Mask or tape off your cabinet box – you should only paint the face and interior edges of your cabinetry.
Tip: A putty knife and scrubbing pad will help speed up the cleaning process. Make sure to change your rinse water when it appears dirty.
3. Taping off Cabinets
Taping off the inside of the cabinets will save you a lot of time after sanding. Tape around the inside of the frames of the cabinets and cut plastic or paper cover the opening. Make sure your plastic or paper is tight to ensure no overspray gets inside the cabinet.
Tip: Using a low tac tape is good practice to ensure none of the old finish is removed from the inside of the cabinet. Stepping the plastic back from the cabinet frame will prevent sharp edges in the paint.
4. Scuff sand
Scuff sand your cabinetry to create a surface profile that will better help the primer adhere. If there are any holes or imperfections, patch them with a quality wood putty or filler and then sand it down to create a smooth surface. Vacuum the sanding dust off the cabinets, wipe with a damp clean rag and let dry.
Tip: Sanding is the mechanical function to allow the primer to properly adhere. NEVER skip this step.
6. Fine sand
Once the primer has dried, use a very fine-grit sandpaper and scuff sand to get rid of any bumps, grooves, lint or dust that has appeared on your cabinetry. Use a sanding light to see any imperfections in doors and drawer fronts. If you sand through the primer, now is the time to reapply more primer.
Tip: After sanding, make sure to vacuum the dust, wipe with a damp rag and let it dry before moving on. Clean all the dust in your work area.
7. Apply the finish
Whether using a roller and brush or a spray application, always take your time and apply in the direction of the wood grain. To avoid runs, use the right amount of paint and don’t overwork it. Quickly smooth out any drips.
Tip: light coats are better than 1 heavy coat. If you notice drips and runs after the paint has dried, lightly sand the affected area and repaint.
8. Apply another coat
Go over your doors, drawers, and the frame once more, paying extra attention to the areas that need it most.
9. Let dry and reconstruct
Allow at least 24 hours of dry time – the longer the better. You want to avoid any dents or peeling that may occur with reattaching your doors, drawers and hardware. Because you numbered them and kept your hardware organized, this should be a breeze.
5. Prime
Choosing the proper primer for your surface will determine if your finish will last. There are numerous great water and solvent-based primers on the market. Do your research and test the system you settle on, don’t just guess it will work. Use a mini-roller system to create a smooth primed surface on the doors and drawers as well as the frame. Spray application will give you a much cleaner look, HVLP or Airless.
Tip: Apply at least 2 generous coats of primer to the cabinets, drawer fronts, and doors. priming is the first step in chemical adhesion. When spraying make sure you are wearing a respirator and proper PPE.
Remember,” Test, Don’t Guess!”