Kitchen Cabinet Refacing
The kitchen cabinets are one of the most used in any household. Behind their doors we keep our, food, dishes, pans, and other items that we access frequently. Due to all of this use the kitchen cabinets tend to be the first to fall off their hinges and get discolored from years of grease splatter and heat. No matter how well you take care of your kitchen cabinets, there will come a time when they will need to be refaced.
Kitchen cabinet refacing is where you give your kitchen cabinets a makeover. This includes the kitchen cabinet doors and the cabinets themselves. The simplest form of refinishing kitchen cabinets includes pulling down the old cabinet doors, cleaning, sanding them and refinishing them. Many people choose to also pull the front panel off of the frame and replace it also. Replacing the front panel becomes necessary if any screws have pulled out or you are having a problem with loose hinges.
The important thing to remember when you are about to reface kitchen cabinets or any refacing project: this is not a complete reconstruction. No matter how much fun it sounds like, there is no need to take a baseball bat to your current cabinets. The best way to go about preparing the kitchen cabinets for refacing is to gently remove all screws and nails holding on the cabinet doors, front and side panels.
Even if you will be recycling these pieces, each one needs to be removed and have all hardware removed so that they can be properly cleaned and sanded. Wipe each piece down with warm soapy water being sure that the wood does not soak up any of the water. While washing do your best to remove all grease residue and anything else that may be stuck to the cabinets.
After the kitchen cabinets have dried completely, use a fine grade sand paper to smooth out any imperfections. If you would like a drastic change, use a belt sander to sand down ridges and crevices to create a smoother look. You can even add crevices and designs using a Dremel™ and wood burning tool.
If you made any drastic changes you will need to use the fine grade sand paper now before moving on. Next wipe down the kitchen cabinets with a damp wash cloth to remove any dust.
In the next step you will be adding stain and a protective coating. If you have not already chosen your stain color and type or if you need help knowing which types are the best, please read Kitchen Cabinet Refacing: Choosing Stain. For now though we will assume that you already have your stain picked out.
Be sure to read all directions and warning on your stain before proceeding. For best results, apply one coat and let it soak into the wood. Before applying a second coat run your hand over the kitchen cabinets to make sure they are dry. Two to three coats is what most stains recommend. Not only will multiple coats bring about the desired color, but it will also help to protect the wood better.
Although stain is usually enough to protect your kitchen cabinets, many people prefer to also add a clear coat as an added layer of protection. Some people who have refaced their kitchen cabinets choose to use a clear coat not only to protect the wood but also to aid in the ease of cleaning. When only stain has been applied, grease, dust and other kitchen residues can soak into the wood over time, whereas a clear coat will help protect against this.
If you would like some help in choosing the right clear coat please read Kitchen Cabinet Refacing: Choosing Clear Coat. This guide explains the difference in Clear Coats and why you need one specially made for kitchen cabinet refacing.
If you chose to use a clear coat, again follow the directions on the can. Many clear coats ask for two to three applications. You will want to check with your paint dealer to ensure the clear coat you purchase is designed for use in the kitchen. Specialized kitchen cabinet clear coats are designed to hold up to and protect the kitchen cabinets from the heat and moisture put off by many kitchen appliances.
Once you are done with the sanding, staining and clear coat it is time to re attach the hinges, knobs and any other decorative facets. Before re-attaching the old hinges and knobs, or if you have used Choosing Hinges & Knobs for the Kitchen to choose some brand new hinges, you need to clean them. Yes even if they are brand new it is a good idea to at least wipe them down with warm soapy water.
When reusing the old hinges you will need to scrub them with a soft bristle brush, using warm soapy water. After the hinges have dried you should open and close them a few times to work out any water that might have found it’s way inside, then apply a drop of A-1 oil or similar lubricant. Set the hinges out on a paper towel or cloth to absorb any excess oil. Lastly, use a level while holding the kitchen cabinet door up to the frame to ensure your doors are lined up properly while you mark the locations of the screws.
Always pre-drill the holes for your kitchen cabinet hinges. Pre-drilling the pilot holes helps your wood screws to grip better and keeps the wood from splitting when you put in the screws. When pre-drilling, use a small drill bit that is only about a quarter of the width of the screws you will be using. If you make the holes larger than this the screw will not be able to grip to the frame.
Hang all of your newly refaced kitchen cabinet doors following the directions above, then stand back and pat yourself on the back for a job well done. Take a picture, because they will never look as good as they do right now.
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[...] are many articles that fully explain the steps of refacing kitchen cabinets. With some basic tools like sandpaper, screwdriver, hammer, and wood putty, you can beautify your [...]