How to Redo a Wooden Kitchen Cabinet
- 1). Unscrew the hinges with an electric drill and remove the door from the cabinet. Unscrew the cabinet from the wall. The screws should be at the back of the cabinet. Remove the hardware from the door and set aside.
- 2). Take the cabinet outside, preferably under a roof such as in the opening of a garage so the cabinet is protected from falling debris, but with plenty of ventilation. Place a drop cloth under the area where you plan to work and set up a worktable, if possible.
- 3). Coat the door and the cabinet with a paint/varnish remover gel, applying it with a polyester brush in the same direction as the grain. Allow it to penetrate the old finish for the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer.
- 4). Scrape off the gel with a putty knife, working with the grain and being careful not to gouge the wood. Throw out the scraped gel in a can or box, scraping your knife against the side to clean it. Apply more gel as necessary to areas of thick paint or just a stubborn finish. Use steel wool to get into any cracks or carvings on the cabinet.
- 5). Wipe down the cabinet with mineral spirits to remove any excess remover, lifting and turning the rag as you work. Allow the cabinet to dry before moving to the next step.
- 6). Sand all the surfaces of the cabinet and door with a medium grit sandpaper of 120, until the surface is smooth to the touch when you pass your hand over it. Increase the grit to a finer sandpaper of 150 or 180, depending on how rough the wood is.
- 7). Wipe down the cabinet with a tack cloth to remove the excess dust. Shake it out often in a well-ventilated area.
- 8). Seal the wood surface with a diluted solution of whatever finish you choose to use. Use a solvent recommended by the manufacturer to dilute the finish by half. Pour the chemicals into a separate container for this step. Paint the wood with the sealer, working with the grain. Allow it to dry overnight.
- 9). Apply the full-strength finish according to the manufacturer's directions. If you need to apply two or three coats, wait long enough for the previous coat to dry before reapplying, usually six to eight hours or more. Use a fine sandpaper of 220 grit between the coats for better adhesion.
- 10
Dry the cabinet for 24 to 48 hours before bringing it back into the house.
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