How to Sand Cabinets
- 1). Place the cabinet on a flat surface in the center of a drop cloth.
- 2). Remove the door hinges and knobs from the cabinet with a Phillips head screwdriver. Store the hardware in a safe place because you will need to reattach them after you refinish the cabinet. Set the door on the drop cloth next to the cabinet.
- 3). Apply paint thinner onto the entire surface of the cabinet and door with a 2 inch foam brush. Allow the paint thinner to set for 30 to 45 minutes and scrape it off with a metal putty knife.
- 4). Wipe away the excess residue from the cabinet and door with an old rag.
- 5). Sand the cabinet and door with the 120 grit sandpaper. Focus primarily on removing existing clear coat and stain. Work into curved or detailed areas on the cabinet and door to remove all of the existing paint or coating.
- 6). Sand down the cabinet and door with 220 grit sandpaper to produce a smooth finish. This will enable you to repaint or stain the cabinet.
