How to Easily Refinish Cabinets

You can rejuvenate the appearance of your cabinets by refinishing them with the appropriate stain. Before you begin, understand an important point: Cabinets are coated with a glossy varnish or polyurethane finish. This coating promotes a more attractive sheen and helps protect the wood from abrasion scars. Unfortunately, this coating will also prevent the cabinets from accepting new finishes. Before you begin the application process, you must eliminate this outer coating, or you will end up with shedding.

Screwdriver
180-grit sandpaper
Tack cloths
Professional painter's tape
Plastic drop cloths
Heavy-duty fabric drop cloths
3-inch oil paintbrush
Oil-based stain
Mineral spirits
Varnish or polyurethane wood sealer

Instructions

- 1
  Use a screwdriver to remove the handles from the cabinet doors.
- 2
  Sand along with the grain of the cabinet until its finish appears dull.
- 3
  Wipe the sanded cabinets with tack cloths, eliminating sawdust that could prevent absorption.
- 4
  Use painter's tape and drop cloths to protect areas you don't want stained. Overlap fabric drop cloths over plastic ones for extra protection.
- 5
  Use a 3-inch oil paintbrush to apply oil-based stain to the cabinets. Allow a minimum of four hours of dry time.
- 6
  Use mineral spirits to wash stain from the brush.
- 7
  Use the clean brush to apply polyurethane wood sealer or varnish to the cabinets. Allow a minimum of four hours of dry time.

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Painting