Refinishing Kitchen Cabinet Step by Step

Refinishing kitchen cabinets may have crossed your mind if your kitchen cabinets are outdated, worn-out looking, or just grimy and dull. You may have even considered replacing your kitchen cabinets with new ones, but you may discover that the project will be costlier and more disruptive to your household than you thought, so this may be a good time to consider a refinishing kitchen cabinet project instead. It’s far less complicated and more economical than buying new cabinets, and the results may be more impressive than you expected.

To begin your kitchen cabinet refinishing project, make sure you’re working in a well-ventilated area, and wear gloves. Remove food and dishes from the cabinets, or cover them with sheet plastic. Removing the cabinets from the walls is optional; if you do, be sure to label them, so you can replace them correctly.

Now you have some choices. You can strip off the old stain and apply new stain, or you can apply a gel stain over the existing finish. The latter choice will work only if you want to darken your cabinets, not if you want to make them a lighter color. Ask for guidance at your home improvement center.

If you want to go to a lighter color, apply a clear finish like Pro Shot® Cabinet Restorer Protector, or stain cabinets that were previously painted, you’ll need to strip the cabinets. Liquid strippers work best, but gel or semi-paste types won’t drip as much when used on vertical surfaces—important if you have left the cabinets in place. In order to choose the correct stripper, you’ll also need to know what kind of finish you currently have on your cabinets. If you don’t know, you can do a simple test to find out. Do an online search of “What is my kitchen cabinet finish?” and follow the directions.

If you’re using a gel stain, clean the cabinets first, as any grease left on the surface of the cabinets will interfere with the stain bonding to your cabinets. Clean with liquid dish soap dissolved in warm water or an all-purpose household cleaner that’s safe for wood. Hand sand the cabinets to roughen and dull the existing finish, and lightly sand any rough or “bubbled” areas on your cabinets.

Then wipe the wood with a soft, lint-free cloth, and let them dry thoroughly before applying the gel according to the manufacturer’s directions. You’ll need to allow the gel stain to dry overnight, and finally apply a clear protective wood finish. Pro Shot Cabinet, Paneling Finished Wood Restorer Protector dries crystal clear and protects from fingerprints, food stains, grease, and more.

You can use the same handles and hinges if you wish, or get new ones if you’re updating the look of your kitchen. You may be able to sell the old hardware; if you’re keeping it, clean it first by soaking it in a hot soapy water solution for half an hour to an hour, then scrub lightly with a soft brush. Rinse, let dry, and apply the right kind of metal polish. Allow the cabinet surfaces to dry for 24 hours, then reinstall all the hardware, and replace the cabinets on the wall if necessary.

When you’re finished with your refinishing kitchen cabinet project, Pro Shot® Cabinet, Paneling Finished Wood Restorer Protector will keep your refinished kitchen cabinets look like new longer, and make cleaning them easier. Pro Shot® Cabinet Restorer Protector wipes on easily, no buffing needed. Lets you choose the amount of shine you want™: one coat for a little shine, a second coat for more shine and added protection. Pro Shot® Cabinet Restorer lasts up to a year, protecting your cabinets from all the abuse your kitchen cabinets can take. It contains no petroleum and has a pleasant odor and no offensive fumes.