How to Stain Kitchen Cabinets Lighter
- 1). Wash down the cabinets with soap and water to remove grease, dust and other buildup. Dry them off when you are done.
- 2). Remove the cabinet doors with a screwdriver so that you can stain all the edges fully.
- 3). Pour a small amount of wood stripper on a rag and rub it on the cabinets in a small area. Work with the grain. Work in small areas and then move on until you have stripped the entire wood surface of the cabinets and doors. Wash the cabinets off to remove the stripper and let the cabinets air out when you are done. Use a ventilation mask or open all windows and doors while you are working with the wood stripper.
- 4). Sand the surface of the cabinets and doors with fine sandpaper, working with the grain of the wood so there is no damage. This will remove any remaining stain.
- 5). Wipe the surfaces down with a damp rag to remove wood dust.
- 6). Apply the stain of your choice to the wood in long smooth strokes with a rag or paintbrush. Follow the grain of the wood. Let it dry and then add a second coat if needed. Usually a second coat is used to create a deeper color, which is not the goal here. However it might also be needed if the cabinet stain seems uneven, a spot was missed or an area is lighter than the rest. Remember that adding a second coat could make it darker in appearance. Before adding the stain to the entire cabinet, it is best to do a test somewhere unnoticeable such as the inside door panel. Stain a small area and let it dry completely. Stain sometimes darkens as it dries and this will let you see if the stain is light enough for you.
- 7). Apply a sealant of choice to the cabinets. You can use a polyurethane, varnish or some other coating over the stained wood. Since they are in the kitchen where water is an issue, choose something that is water repellent. Apply with a paintbrush in long even strokes, following the grain of the wood. Let it dry completely before reattaching the doors.
