How to Refinish a Built-In China Cabinet That Has Been Painted

With furniture tastes always changing from homeowner to homeowner, something like a built-in China cabinet may seem like a decorating disaster if the piece does not match your style. Thankfully, there are very simple techniques that can remove the paint and allow you a fresh start with the piece. After a little work, all that will be left is picking out the new door and drawer knobs.

Screwdriver
Mask, eye protection and gloves
Rotating orbital sander
Sander discs in 60- 90-, 120- and 220-grit
Vibrating corner sander
Vacuum
Tack cloth
Wood filler
Desired finish

Instructions

- 1
  Unscrew all the knobs and handles so that you are left with only wood.
- 2
  Put on your safety gear and place the 60-grit sanding disc on the orbital sander. Sand down the entire piece until you no longer see any paint.
- 3
  Repeat step one with the vibrating corner sander, getting all the corners.
- 4
  Next, continue sanding lightly with the 90-, 120- and 220-grit papers to smooth out the wood and remove any scratches.
- 5
  Vacuum the room and the china cabinet to remove all the sawdust.
- 6
  Rub the entire china cabinet down with a tack cloth to remove any stubborn saw dust. Look the piece over as you work and sand out any imperfections you missed. If you find any scratches or dents, fill the imperfections with wood filler and allow to dry of the manufacturer’s specified time. Then, sand again with the 220-grit sandpaper so that the filler is level with the rest of the wood.
- 7
  Stain or paint the wood your desired color according to the manufacturer’s directions.
- 8
  Finish off the cabinet with a polyurethane coat to seal the wood and protect it. Reinstall new knobs and handles for your desired look.

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