How to Remold a Cabinet

Slide the flat end of a trim molding flat bar under the molding along the top and bottom edges of the cabinet and gently pry the molding loose. Lift the molding off from the cabinet sides and front at the top and bottom edges carefully once it has been loosened.

Pull out any nails left behind from pulling off the molding with nail pullers. Be careful not to dent the wood surface of the cabinet as you pull the nails.

Measure the sides and front dimensions of the cabinet using a tape measure. The measurements will be used as the back side measurements for the replacement molding.

Lay the lengths of replacement molding on a work surface with the back side facing up. Mark the measurements from Step 3 onto the boards using a tape measure and pencil. The ends of the molding will need to be at a 45-degree angle with the front side of the molding. The front side will be longer than the back side so that the molding fits together like a picture frame. Be sure to leave room as you mark the boards for the angled ends to extend past the back side measurements on the front side of the molding.

Adjust the miter saw to cut the 45-degree angles on the front ends of the side molding and on both ends of the front molding pieces. Cut the molding to length using the miter saw, cutting through the board at each pencil mark.

Sand the cut edges of the molding lightly with a fine-grit sanding pad. Fit the molding in place at the top and bottom edges of the cabinet. Hammer finish nails through the front face of the molding into the cabinet every 6 to 8 inches to fasten it in place.

Set the nails approximately 1/16-inch below the surface of wood using a hammer and nail set. Fill the nail holes with wood putty using a putty knife. Allow the putty to dry for 24 hours. Sand the putty flush with the surface of the molding using the fine-grit sanding pad.

Apply two coats of wood finish to the molding using a paintbrush. Allow the first coat to dry for 4 hours and apply a second coat.