Refurbishing an Old Hoosier Cabinet

Refurbishing the Cabinet

• 1

  Remove all hardware, including drawer pulls, knobs and hinges. Set cabinet doors aside. Clean hardware with soap and water.

• 2

  Strip the finish, both on the cabinet body and the removed doors and drawers. Apply the stripper with a paintbrush and allow to sit for the specified time in the instructions. Then scrape off the finish with tools such as steel wood or putty knives. For very resilient finish, soften with a heat gun before scraping.

• 3

  Clean the stripped wood with varnish, as specified by the chemical stripper instructions. Use the sander to smooth the grain. If you would like a distressed look, cracks and dents might add to the cabinet's appeal; otherwise, fill spots with wood filler and let dry.

• 4

  Stain to retain the cabinet's original look, or prime and paint for a bold new look. Painting may be an acceptable option if the cabinet's wood is damaged, or if it is not an antique; otherwise, remember that paint usually lowers the value of antiques. Before either option, clean the cabinet surfaces to remove lingering dust. Test your stain or paint color on an inconspicuous area before starting.

• 5

  Replace cabinet doors, drawers and hardware. If old hardware is not to your liking, purchase new knobs, pulls and hinges. Modern hinges are often preferable to the original, as they allow for smoother opening and closing. Additionally, new cabinet doors can be ordered for a new look.