Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing from A to Z

by Kelly Richardson
Face Your Kitchen Columnist

For most homeowners, replacing an entire kitchen cabinet set is just not in the budget. Kitchen cabinet refinishing has the same enhancing effect without the staggering price tag. And it's so easy that it can be done in a couple of days time by a trained refinishing professional.Cleaning Doors. A good scrubbing erases years of built up grease and stains. You may be amazed at how much better your kitchen cabinets look after this one refinishing stage.

• Cabinet doors are removed and marked for easy replacement.
• Clean as recommended by the manufacturer, using nonabrasive cleansers and a soft sponge.
• Rinse and repeat as needed. Allow cabinet doors several hours to dry.

Cleaning Hardware. Like the doors, kitchen cabinet hardware tarnishes and dulls over time. Some care and cleaning should restore their luster.

• Remove all kitchen cabinet hardware and allow it to soak in a soapy solution for at least 30 minutes.
• Scrub and rinse each piece with a soft brush and clean water.
• If there are cabinet pieces beyond recovery, consider purchasing a new set entirely.

Stripping and Refinishing. To complete the kitchen cabinet refinishing process, your contractor removes old layers of finish and applies the new. For best results, it's critical that you, or your contractor, know the type of finish you currently have.

• Choose a gel or paste liquid stripper.
• Use wood filler for any deep scratches or other imperfections in the cabinet.

Why Do I Want This?
Simple. It's cost-effective and quick, and revitalizes your old kitchen cabinets. Kitchen cabinet refinishing makes the heart of your home a room that everyone loves to be in.

About the Author
Kelly Richardson covers the home improvement scene in between his seasonal projects. His articles appear wherever intelligent interior design is valued.