Removing Varnish From Laminate Cabinets

Laminate cabinets refer to chipwood, recycled wood or pressed wood cabinets covered in a plastic veneer. They're smart alternatives to standard wood or metal, as they're often less expensive and easy to clean and maintain. However, if you've gotten tired of the laminate finish, you can always cover the cabinets with a new finish, such as varnish -- or you can remove it and repaint. Think of your cabinets as an ever-changing canvas.

Screwdriver
1/3 cup trisodium phosphate
1 gallon water
Bucket
Scrub brush
Soft cloths
Mineral spirits
Sanding block, 200-grit
Tack cloth

Instructions

- 1
  Remove all hardware from the cabinets with a screwdriver.
- 2
  Pour 1/3 cup of trisodium phosphate and 1 gallon of water in a bucket. Dip a scrub brush in the mixture and scrub down the cabinets. Allow them to air dry.
- 3
  Moisten a soft cloth with mineral spirits and wipe down the cabinets. This will wipe off the majority of the varnish. Wipe the cabinets dry with a clean cloth.
- 4
  Run a 200-grit sanding block across the surface of the cabinets, removing any lingering varnish. Sand lightly.
- 5
  Wipe off the dust from sanding with a tack cloth.

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