How To Refinish Kitchen Cabinets Without Stripping
If your kitchen cabinets are old, and you would like to restore them, this is your place. If you don’t know how to refinish kitchen cabinets without stripping, you should follow these vital steps, especially when you want to save money.
Over time, kitchen cabinets parts lose their brightness, and they can make your kitchen looks terrible. Stripping is challenging and time-consuming, and maybe you don’t have the time to do it. Perhaps you can even damage the surface if you know how to strip.
Here, you will find the specif steps, tools, and other tricks you must follow to make your kitchen cabinets look new again. If you would like a new cabinet hardware placement, it can be lit be expensive, so you need to look at your budget.
5 Steps on How To Refinish Kitchen Cabinets Without Stripping
Here are 5 steps to follow on how to refinish kitchen cabinets without stripping:
- Get the required materials
- Take away the cabinets (disassemble them)
- Clean the parts with a microfiber cloth, and sand the surface to remove residues
- Stain the cabinets’ parts and let them dry
- Install the cabinets again
Get the Required Materials
When trying to refinish kitchen cabinets, you need first to get all the tools and materials to avoid delays in the process. Also, it is vital to check the screws and hinges to confirm if the cabinets need new ones.
Tools and Material:
- Screwdriver (check the screws type)
- A table with space to put the cabinet parts
- New screws and hinges in case the old ones are corroded
- Sandpaper and a sanding block
- Mild detergent
- Microfiber cloth or cotton rags
- Wood stain coating and a finish coat
- Work and latex gloves
- Safety glasses
- Paintbrush
Take Away the Cabinets (Disassemble Them)
After getting all the materials, the second step is to disassemble the entire cabinet hardware. So, you must use the manual screwdriver to remove the hinges doors and at the same time take out the drawers.
When you already have all the cabinet parts removed, look for the table or space you will work in and organize the cabinet pieces.
Note: Make sure to put the screws in a safe place. If you change them for new ones, put the old ones in a box and throw them in the garbage.
Clean the Parts with a Microfiber Cloth, and Sand the Surface to Remove Residues
Once you removed the cabinet parts and put them into the workspace. In this step, you will take a soft sponge with mild detergent to wash the pieces. This kind of detergent will help you to remove grease residues and dirt. Use water to clean, but do not exaggerate.
After washing the cabinet parts, you need to use a microfiber cloth or a cotton rag to clean the drawers and doors. Make sure to dry and remove all the water residues.
After cleaning, washing, and drying, it is the moment to start sanding the cabinet parts surfaces with sandpaper for wood. In this step, use work gloves and a sanding block. Some people don’t use the block, but it is optional.
Moreover, you must sand the surface to remove all the residues, paint, and stains. Do not exaggerate sanding because you can damage the surface and create cracks. Try to evaluate your process and when you see that you remove the necessary, stop the action.
Stain and Finish the Cabinets’ Parts and Let Them Dry
After sanding your cabinet parts correctly, it is time to start staining them. Using a wood stain coating and a paintbrush, you will apply from 2 to 3 layers to get the natural wood color in your cabinet.
The best option is to apply a polyurethane wood finish since the coat protects the cabinet door surface from external damage, scratches, and, more importantly, wear and tear. This finish ensures long-lasting results, so you won’t have to worry in a time.
After you apply the stain layers, let the pieces dry. After that, you will wait, and now with another brush, you will start putting the finish seal to protect the stain and prevent mildew and moisture in the future. Next, you will let the part dry again. As mentioned, you can use a polyurethane wood finish.
Some homeowners opt for painting the surface, but it will depend on your budget. If you decide to pain, look for one resistant to water and dust.
Let the cabinet parts dry in an open space with ventilation to avoid toxic fumes. Some people use first latex paint, but it is optional, depending on the cabinet color.
Furthermore, satin and semi-gloss paints are the best for use in the kitchen, so you can opt for using them in your kitchen cabinets. In other cases, you need to look for paints resistant to mold and mildew since they can resist everything.
Install the Cabinets Again
After the cabinet parts are totally dried, it’s time to install them again. Use the screwdriver to screw the hinges, the door pulls, and install all the doors and drawers.
Remember to not forget about the sanding part, and it is vital to remove all the grease residues. Also, wear your work gloves, safety glasses, and a mask at all times to avoid any accident.
When Is the Best Time to Refinish Kitchen Cabinets? Some Common Problems.
There exist many reasons to change your kitchen cabinet. The best time to refinish kitchen cabinets is when the parts are old and have problems such as water damage, color fading, and terrible scratches and stains.
Water Damage
Usually, water damage is the most common problem in kitchen cabinets since they are exposed to water in the kitchen. Mold and mildew will appear as a consequence of water damage.
Not paying attention to this issue can take the cabinet parts to have structural damages. Sometimes, some parts need to be replaced by new ones because of the damage.
It’s always vital to count on a professional remodeling inspector to check the damages.
Fading
Fading is another typical problem that makes kitchen cabinets lose their aesthetics. Over the years, the parts can suffer from different types of discoloration and some terrible stains.
Moreover, as they are in a place with high hand traffic, this aspect makes the pull to suffer damages. If you have white paint cabinet parts, they get dirty over time.
Additionally, wood can be sensitive, and it can fade over time. Usually, the life expectancy of kitchen cabinets varies, depending on the maintenance you give.
Other Common Damages
- Rusty hinges
- Structural cabinet dysfunction
- Missing pulls and knobs
- And more
It’s vital to keep all the kitchen cabinet parts in perfect condition to avoid falling that can cause accidents and monetary loss.
Do you want to Remodel Your House?
Now that you know how to refinish kitchen cabinets without stripping, you will transform your kitchen. If you want to change your kitchen appearance, we can do it for you.
At Martins Bay Construction, we count on skilled professionals. We are the best kitchen remodeling contractor in Oakland and the Bay Area.
Don’t hesitate to contact us!