Staining Kitchen Cabinets: A Simple Guide
By Gabby HymanRefacingCabinet.com Columnist
If your kitchen renovations include a kitchen cabinet makeover, you have three major choices: you can install new cabinets, reface your existing cabinets, or try staining your existing kitchen cabinets. Of course, staining your kitchen cabinets offers the least-expensive option. However, if your existing color is dark, if your cabinets are cracked or damaged, and the doors and drawers don't work properly, you may have to go the replacement route.
Let's assume optimal conditions for now, so that staining your kitchen cabinets is the easiest way to complete your kitchen renovations. Your cabinets need fresh paint and/or hardware, but otherwise are in great shape. Your first step is to thoroughly disassemble the doors, drawer fronts, and hardware, then wash all the cabinet surfaces with a good cleaner.
Next, strip off the old finish. If you can work in a well-ventilated space, you might try chemical strippers first. Sanding may be necessary, but remember that the new stain will pick up any damage or missed scars in the wood and they may leap out at you. Try using high-grit paper first (320 grit).
Staining Kitchen Cabinets Safely
Wear gloves and a respirator if you're in a confined space without adequate ventilation. Mix up the stain thoroughly, then work it on with a brush, sponge, or piece of old carpet. Try it on a test section of wood that won't show and see how well it covers and darkens the wood. When staining kitchen cabinets, always wipe off excess stain with a rag as you go. Never touch the cabinets with your bare hands.
Allow the completed sections to dry for half a day-at least-before applying a finishing coat of polyurethane. Enjoy your kitchen renovations!
Sources
http://www.servicemagic.com/article.show.Kitchen-Cabinet-Makeovers.8566.html
About The Author
Gabby Hyman has created online strategies and written content for Fortune 500 companies including eToys, GoTo.com, Siebel Systems, Microsoft Encarta, Avaya, and Nissan UK.
