How to Remove Lacquer From Cherry Wood Cabinets

Take down the cabinet doors and drawers from the walls using a screw driver. A Phillips screwdriver will work for most cabinets, but you may need a flat or octagonal head, too. You can leave the cabinet boxes on the wall if they're unfinished. Unscrew the handles and knobs from the cabinets. You can save them or give your cabinets an updated finish with new hardware.

Apply a chemical stripper to the wood if the lacquer on your cabinets is particularly thick or if it's old. Although this step is optional, it may save you some sanding time later.

Inspect the drawers and doors for unwanted holes and scratches. Fill in any damaged areas with wood putty and allow them to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Sand down the doors and drawers to remove the lacquer and excess putty using coarse grit paper. If you're an experienced craftsman, a belt or disk sander will speed up the process. If this is your first refinishing project, stick with hand sanding. While tedious, hand sanding will keep you from removing too much wood too fast.

Scrutinize you handiwork one last time before applying a new varnish or paint. Run your hand over the cabinets. It's fine to see light streaks of the old lacquer, but the surface should be consistently rough to allow the new finish to adhere.