Kitchen Cabinet Refacing

Have you reached the point that you can no longer bear to look at your kitchen cabinets the way they are? After years of wear and tear, you’re ready to yank them out and start over. However, when you take a look at your budget, you realize that the money for a cabinet overhaul just isn’t there. What is your next option? Cabinet refacing is a great way to go.

With cabinet refacing you give yourself a shot at a new look for your cabinets without having to spend money on new ones. Even better, you can do it by yourself in a day’s time. However, it’s good to have some handy steps to help you. Are you ready to get started?

Step #1: Clean Your Cabinets, Doors and Hardware

Since your cabinets have suffered all types of wear and tear over the years, some of which including heat, grease build up and food residue, it’s important to clean them thoroughly. This is the first step of cabinet refacing.

You can do the job without removing your doors, but if you want to clean them completely then removing them is a better idea. If you do, however, be sure to label them so that you can return them to the right place. Also, be careful not to sand off or paint over your markings.

Before you start cleaning the cabinets, you want to make sure you have rubber gloves, protective eyewear, the proper cleaners and solvents and place painter’s drop sheets on your appliances, floors and countertops for protection.

You also want to remove the cabinet hardware and soak them in a solution of soap and hot water for at least an hour. After they’ve soaked, scrub them gently with a soft bristled brush, rinse and then polish them.

Then you want to clean your cabinets (with a clean cloth). Once you’re done, rinse them well. Then let them dry thoroughly before starting the next step of cabinet refacing.

Step #2: Determine Your Finish and Prep for Stripping

Once you’ve thoroughly cleaned your cabinets, it’s time to strip them down (sand them) and refinish them (paint them). If you’ve ever refinished furniture then you’re already familiar with the refinishing process, but if you’re not, this is how it works.

You can sand your cabinets while still attached to the wall, but it will be more of a challenge. This is why experts recommend removing them.

However, before you get started, you want to note the type of finish that is currently on your cabinets. It may be wax, shellac, polyurethane/varnish, paint or formica/vinyl. If you determine that your cabinets were finished with formica or vinyl, you will have to hire a professional to refinish them – or you will need to replace the cabinets.

Once you’ve determined that you can successfully refinish your cabinets on your own, you want to purchase your stripper. It’s suggested that you work with a semi-paste or gel stripper because they drip less.

The last step in the preparation phase of cabinet refacing is to patch all of the holes, nicks and scratches with wood filler and allow them to dry.

Step #3: Refinish the Cabinets

First, you want to sand down the wood filler that you’ve added to patch the holes, nicks and scratches. You want to sand it lightly yet completely so that it blends into the cabinet surface. Then you can go ahead and sand the rest of your cabinets – also lightly. After you’re done, remove the residue.

Next, you want to apply a coat of primer to all of the cabinets and doors. This preps the cabinets for painting and finishing the wood.

Once you’ve painted (if you choose to) or stained and added your finish, you have a fresh new look for your kitchen cabinets. All you have to do is wait for them to dry, piece them back together and place them back on your walls to see how cabinet refacing can give your kitchen the makeover it deserves.

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