While this project is best performed by a professional, Macfarlane notes that experience DIYers can take it on with the proper tools, an adequate timeline, and enough research. so to get this show on the road, we asked Macfarlane for his advice on how to refinish kitchen cabinets in five key steps. And with his advice, your cabinets will be looking a adept as newly.
What to Know If You’re Working on Your Own
If you consider yourself to be person who can take on an advanced home plan like refinishing kitchen cabinets, then the first base thing you need to be aware of is how much time you ‘ll be committing to getting it done. Macfarlane estimates that refinishing kitchen cabinets can take anywhere from four to eight weekends, or between 60 and 130 hours. This clock frame depends on the size of your kitchen, and it may need to be adjusted depending on the extent of the influence. besides keep in mind that your kitchen may not be functional as you complete this contract, excessively. “ It ’ s a identical long-winded and time-consuming project, which can frequently lead to frustration and failure if done falsely, ” he says. “ That ’ s why I highly recommend consulting with person who specializes in refinishing projects. ” That being said, if you ’ d like to manage this on your own, remember to follow the manufacture instructions of chemicals, and to protect yourself and your kitchen as you work. And if you need help along the manner, it ’ sulfur never besides belated to call in a professional.
How to Refinish Kitchen Cabinets
Step 1: Clean the surfaces.
Before you do any refinish, Macfarlane recommends starting this project by thoroughly scrubbing your kitchen cabinetwork. To do this, carefully remove the cabinetwork from the walls, clean them off, and give the wood time to dry wholly. “ It ’ s a commodity mind to label or number the cabinet doors thus you ‘ll put them back in the right space, ” he notes. “ If you ‘re sanding or painting, be certain not to sand off or paint over the marks. The holes for the hinges need to match excessively, so you can easily determine which door goes where. ”
Step 2: Protect yourself and the rest of the kitchen.
Spread drop cloths on the countertops, and use them to cover the appliances and floors, excessively. Don ’ thymine forget to wear gloves and eye protection when you ’ re using a wood clean .
Step 3: Soak the hardware.
Since the hardware is likely besides in need of a good clean, place them in a large river basin with saponaceous body of water for 30 minutes, Macfarlane advises. “ You can scrub them thinly with a indulgent brush before gargle, ” he says. Once they ’ re clean, allow the hardware to dry wholly. then, apply a polish and let the pieces dry again .
Step 4: Strip and refinish your cabinets.
nowadays it ’ sulfur time to strip your cabinets—and this is where the process can get catchy. First, make sure that your workspace is in a well-ventilated area, and preferably external. In order to determine which stripping agent is best for your cabinetwork, you ’ ll need to figure out what type of finish is already on the wood. If you think that the cabinetwork has a wax polish, for exemplify, then Macfarlane says that you ’ ll have to put a few drops of turpentine on the woodwind. If the solution dissolves, you ’ ra chastise. other possibilities include shellac, lacquer, key, vinyl, polyurethane, varnish, click oil, or a water-based finish, and each have their own specifications for proper removal or worry .
The Right Solution to Strip Your Cabinets, Depending on Their Finish:
shellac
“ Apply a few drops of denature alcohol, ” Macfarlane says. “ If the complete dissolves cursorily, it ‘s Shellac. ”
lacquer
“ Try a few drops of lacquer dilutant to dissolve, ” he continues.
Water-Based
“ A few drops of Xylene liquefies water-based finishes, ” Macfarlane says .
Polyurethane or Varnish
“ Varnish remover strips these materials, but you ‘ll credibly still have to sand some of the old finish off, ” he notes .
Penetrating oil
“ The color is n’t strippable, since it ‘s become share of the wood. If the wood is dry, it can be clear-coated, wax, or painted, ” Macfarlane says .
key
“ Rub a rag or cotton ball moistened with denatured alcohol on the airfoil. If it rubs off or gets piano, it ‘s latex paint. Alcohol wo n’t affect petroleum paint, ” he says. For oil-based paint, sand and prime it, then cover it with Latex key .
Vinyl or Formica Surfaces
“ Do n’t attempt to paint or refinish these cabinets, because they ’ rhenium good suited to be handled by a professional, ” he says .
Determine the proper plan of action for your cabinetwork, and then apply the right stripping agent to the wood. Start with an inconspicuous corner to be sure that it works, and wear the correct protective materials as you work .
Step 5: Sand, prime, and paint the wood.
once you ’ re finished with the clean agent, use a wood filler to repair any holes or scratches in the forest, and then lightly sand out the while once it dries. The rest of the cabinetwork should besides be sanded, and as previously mentioned, that ’ s why it ’ randomness best to do this work outdoors. last, paint the cabinetwork in a fresh coat of paint, noting excessively that cold or hot temperatures may cause the forest to expand. Roll on another level if you notice that the weather has exposed unfinished forest. “ It ‘s besides a good mind to use paste wax on cabinets that you finished using penetrating oils, ” Macfarlane adds. “ The wax will give extra protection while complementing the appearance of this finish up. ” After the rouge has dried, cautiously reinstall the cabinetwork and its hinges in your kitchen. It ’ s a batch of solve to complete this plan on your own, so if you do, use this moment to appreciate a well-deserved round of applause. Follow House Beautiful on Instagram.
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