Do I Have to Strip Bathroom Cabinets to Restain?

Identifying the Current Finish

• Before you can remove the paint or stain already on your cabinets, you need to determine exactly what it is. If your cabinets are white or some other color besides a natural wood finish, they have probably been painted. Cabinets with a brown, woodlike finish are most likely stained. Stained cabinets, and often painted cabinets as well, are typically covered with a protective coat of varnish. If your cabinets are stained, you may choose to use a varnish remover prior to sanding down the stain, but if your cabinets are painted, all you need is a stripping agent.

Is a Stripping Agent Necessary?

• If you are willing to put in a little extra effort to sand down the varnish as well as the painted finish on your cabinets, you can get by without using a stripping agent. Stripping agents are, however, one of the best ways to remove paint quickly and with little effort on your part. The chemicals in the stripping agent break down the finish on your cabinets, making it possible to scrape them away rather than working at them with sandpaper.

How to Strip Bathroom Cabinets

• If you decide to use a stripping agent on your bathroom cabinets, it is recommended that you first remove the doors of the cabinet and lay them flat to make your work easier. Brush on a coat of the stripping agent and allow it to set until it begins to bubble. Once the entire surface has bubbled, scrape away the paint with a putty knife. Use steel wool to remove paint from corners and recessed surfaces. If necessary, you may apply a second coat of stripping agent and repeat the process until all paint is removed.

Restaining Bathroom Cabinets

• If your cabinets are painted, you may need to do some sanding even after removing the paint with a stripping agent to bring out the grain in the wood and to smooth the surface. Stained cabinets require sanding to remove the current stain and to prepare the surface for a new stain. Once you have prepared the surface, brush on a thin coat of stain and wipe away the excess with a clean cloth. Allow the stain to dry then continue to apply thin coats of stain until you achieve the desired look. Coat your finished cabinets in a layer of varnish to protect them from stains and moisture damage.