Refinishing Kitchen Cabinets – The Basics

Refinishing kitchen cabinets is a more affordable and simple alternative to having to reface the old cabinets. If your cabinets are just starting to show some wear and haven’t taken any real damage, then refinishing them might just be the solution you desire. It is also a great way to give your kitchen a brand new look without having to break the bank to get it done: often you can get it all done for less than five hundred dollars.

The first step to refinishing kitchen cabinets is taking them off the hinges. This is most likely the most simple step in the whole process, but it is almost impossible to get it done with them still hanging up. This is because you could accidentally cause some damage to the rest of the cabinetry, and it is uneasy to refinish them without having the finishing liquids drip down and tarnish the floor or your countertops.

After you have taken the doors down you need to sand them. This can be done with sanding paper or a sanding block, but it is simplest with an electric sander. Preferably sanding should be done with fine-grit paper to guarantee the smoothest results possible, but if you have many layers of paint already on the cabinets you may need to go with a higher grade. Ensure you wear a mask and safety glasses during this step due to the possibility of getting wood chips in your mouth or eyes, which is dangerous. You are trying to get rid of the previous finish, so it could take some time.

After getting everything sanded, the next step in refinishing kitchen cabinets is painting them. You could use either finisher or paint, depending on your choice. If you are using paint, be sure to apply a coat of primer before to make sure that no previous damage or stains are visible the paint. Also be sure to use oil-based paint as opposed to latex, as oil-based paints tend to dry harder and will be better to the touch in the long run.

After you have finished all of the above and hung the cabinet doors back on their hinges, you are finally done with the refinishing process. While it is a little more difficult than having to completely reface them, the cheaper price is worth it in many cases. The effort and time you need to completely and successfully refinish your cabinets can be quite exhaustive, but being able to see your kitchen and see it look brand new without having to spend over five hundred is a good feeling. Refinishing kitchen cabinets may be an overall more laborious route, but it is the most rewarding once it is all done.

Giving your kitchen a whole new look is a labor-intensive and strenuous. Going ahead and refinishing your cabinets instead of the alternative is no exception, but it is far more affordable than the alternative.

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