How to Refinish & Stain Kitchen Cabinets
- 1). Move the cabinets to a well-ventilated workspace away from objects that can be stained by the products you are applying. If you are unable to move the cabinets, ventilate the area by opening all windows and using fans. Mask off surrounding areas (including the floor) with tape, protective paper or drop cloths.
- 2). Remove the doors from the cabinets by unscrewing the hinges. Remove all shelves so you can work with each piece individually; depending on your cabinets, you may need to remove nails or screws to detach these pieces.
- 3). Pull out and empty any drawers in the cabinets. Remove the handles or knobs so you can easily access the cabinet without obstructions.
- 4). Soak a soft white cloth in mineral spirits and rub the cabinet's surfaces clean. The spirits will dissolve cooking residue, oil from human contact and other contaminants that can ruin a refinishing project.
- 5). Sand the cabinet surface with 220-grit sandpaper to remove small damaged areas and to make the surface more accepting of the stain. Always sand in the direction of the grain; press down evenly with your fingers to ensure that all areas are sanded to the same level.
- 6). Wipe down the surfaces with a clean tack cloth to remove residual sanding dust. Inspect the clean surface for areas where the cabinet's color has faded or worn off.
- 7). Treat worn areas with a touch-up pen; these pens come in a variety of colors and styles for different wood finishes. Color in the area as you would with a marker. Allow the touch-up to dry for 10 seconds, then blend the color in. Remove excess color with a clean white cloth.
- 8). Mix your staining product with a stirring stick to ensure proper thickness and color. Wipe the stain onto the surface with a clean white cloth or paintbrush; apply a thin, even layer. You will get better coverage and color with multiple thin coats than one thick coat.
- 9). Apply stain to all drawers, shelves and cabinet surfaces. Allow the stain to sit on the surface for two minutes, and wipe away excess with a clean white cloth.
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Allow the stain to dry for two to three hours (follow specific product instructions regarding drying time) and inspect your work. Apply a second coat if necessary to achieve your desired color. - 11
Allow the stain to dry fully for 16 to 24 hours. Reinstall the doors, shelves, handles and other hardware.
