Kitchen Cabinet Tips and Advice: A Guide on How to Refinish Kitchen Cabinets

Are you looking for additional information about refinishing kitchen cabinets? This article has got you covered when it comes to this kitchen remodeling techniques. Read on to learn more about choosing to paint or stain, removing the old finish and applying those final coats.

There are always tricks and tips to help any home improvement project go smoother - and refinishing kitchen cabinets is no exception. Here are some tips to help homeowners get the end result they want.

Choosing to Paint or Stain

Whether homeowners decide to paint or stain their kitchen cabinets depends on several factors including the style that they want for their cabinets and their home improvement skill level. For beginners, painting may be a better option. With painting, homeowners do not have to prep the wood as much or sand it afterwards. They could use familiar materials such as paint rollers for to complete the refinishing.

Removing the Old Finish

There are two ways to remove the old finish: apply paint stripper or sand it off. The professionals at Lowes, have good suggestions for either approach. For homeowners who want to use paint stripper, they suggest using a thicker paint stripper, also known as a gel, because it will make less of a mess. They say these types of strippers hang better on vertical surfaces. For homeowners who want to sand the old finish off, they suggest using belt and disk sanders because it reduces the amount of waste and time.

Applying a Gloss and Top Coat

After all the sanding and painting, many homeowners are eager for the project to be over. Some may consider skipping applying the gloss or the top coat. It may not be a good idea to leave out this step no matter how tired you are. These final coats help protect the paint or stain and give a professional look to your cabinets. Even if a break is needed before applying it, it's definitely worth it.