Remodel Oak Cabinets
- 1). Wash the oak cabinets. To begin the remodel, wash the insides and outsides of the oak cabinetry with a damp cloth and a household degreasing cleaner. After washing the cabinets, gently rub them using a damp cloth with warm water. Dry with a soft cloth.
- 2). Disassemble the hinges and hardware. Using a screwdriver, remove all the cabinets' outside hardware and inside hinges and place them in a plastic bag so pieces do not get lost in the process.
- 3). Label the oak cabinet doors. Cut a small piece of masking tape and stick it on the back of each door. With a marker, write the cabinet location of the door on the back of the tape to make reassembly much easier when the oak cabinet remodel is complete.
- 4). Sand the cabinet areas. Using 120-grit sandpaper on a sanding block or a small electric sander, sand the cabinet fronts, cabinet facings and sides until they are smooth and devoid of any glossy finish. Wipe the sanded areas with a tack cloth until the areas are completely free of dust particles.
- 5). Paint the oak cabinets with primer. Paint the doors, door facings, cabinet sides and other outside areas with two coats of water-based, stain-killing primer to prepare the wood for the final coat of paint and sealer. The primer helps the additional coats of paint adhere properly and reduces the visual appearance of the grain of the oak wood. Allow the primer to dry.
- 6). Apply two coats of paint to the cabinets. Paint the oak cabinet pieces with two coats of water-based paint in a color that enhances the home decor, making sure the first coat of paint is completely dry before applying the second coat. Paint the doors, cabinet facings and sides in long strokes following the direction of the wood grain.
- 7). Add two coats of polyurethane sealer to protect the finish of the oak cabinets; allow for sufficient drying time between coats. The coats of sealer protect the cabinetry from scratches and chips and make the surface more durable.
- 8). Reassemble the painted cabinets. Using the masking-tape location notes, reattach the doors to the cabinets using a screwdriver.
- 9). Add new hardware. As a final crowning touch to the oak cabinet remodeling project, add new, fresh hardware to the kitchen, bathroom or furniture piece for an updated look to your cabinet.
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