Refinishing transforms your existing cabinet doors and frames to change their appearance. It’s a surface-level update, focusing on color and material. Refinishing only works on wood cabinets and requires proper preparation to ensure stain absorption. Contact San Jose Cabinet Refinishing for professional help.
This includes thorough cleaning using a high-quality detergent. This helps remove grease and other sticky substances.
A cabinet refinishing project begins with thorough cleansing and degreasing to remove surface oils that will prevent your new paint job from adhering. Your cabinets will then be sanded and prepped for primer and finish coats. Your professional will take the time to carefully inspect the structure of your cabinetry and address any areas with dents or nicks that need to be filled, sanded, and primed in order for your finish to last and look beautiful. This step is especially important because even if your cabinets are in good condition, frequent use and cleaning will wear down any paint job that is not properly prepared.
Before the refinishing process begins, make sure that you clear a path for workers to get around your kitchen and clear any items away from the cabinetry. This will protect your belongings from accidental spills and splatters while the professionals are working, and it will also help to keep them safe during the work. It is also helpful to move items away from the cabinets in case they need to be moved in order to spray or brush them.
Next, your professionals will clean the cabinets thoroughly with a mild cleaner and water. This will prepare them for sanding and priming, as well as help to ensure that the finished product is as close in color as possible to the original finish. If there are any cracks or chips in the wood, they will be repaired using a high-quality filler. After the filler dries, it will be sanded to blend in with the rest of the structure.
Finally, your professional will apply a coat of high-quality, water-based primer to your cabinets. This will provide a base for the topcoat and will promote better adhesion, resulting in a smoother and more consistent appearance. Once the primer dries, it is best to lightly sand it with a foam sanding block before moving on to the final coating.
If you are happy with the overall layout and design of your cabinets but would like a major style overhaul, you may want to consider refacing instead. This process will give you an extensive range of materials, designs, and hardware options to choose from to create a custom look that fits your lifestyle.
Primer
The primer is a vital step for any cabinet painting project. It provides an adhesion layer that accepts top coats and resists moisture. It can also be used to block stains from previous finishes, so you don’t have to worry about bleed-through once your new paint job is on the cabinets. It’s a relatively inexpensive product that can make all the difference when you’re changing up the look of your kitchen.
When shopping for a primer, consider the materials your cabinets are made from and any pre-existing stains or odors. Some primers are specifically formulated for different surfaces. For instance, if your cabinets are made of melamine or manufactured composites, a water-based primer will work best. For wood, an oil-based primer is a better option to fill the grain and provide a smooth surface.
For a more durable finish, try using a hybrid acrylic urethane primer. It’s designed to offer the advantages of both oil and water-based primers in a single product. It dries to a hard, durable finish that is easy to clean and offers excellent stain blocking abilities. It also emits minimal odor during application, making it a good choice for use in indoor settings.
Once you’ve chosen a primer, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper application and drying. A high-quality brush or foam roller should be used to apply the product. When coating large areas, a sprayer can also be used to achieve an even finish. If you’re painting with a sprayer, make sure to properly mask your surrounding surfaces and wear proper protection equipment to avoid overspray.
Once the primer is dry, lightly scuff-sand the surface to promote topcoat adhesion and remove minor imperfections. Then vacuum and tack-rag to ensure the surfaces are clean and dust-free. This is also the time to caulk any cracks where the cabinets meet the walls or crown molding. If you’re unsure whether or not to caulk, consult with your local home improvement store professional for recommendations.
Stain
A stain is a type of wood finish that enhances the natural colors of bare or painted wood. It can be used to create a wide range of colors and appearances. Stains can be opaque, allowing the color to sit on top of the wood; or transparent, letting the underlying wood show through. Stains are available in both oil and water-based formulas. Water-based stains are typically made from polyurethane. Oil-based stains are typically made from linseed oil or tung oil, along with other ingredients like metallic salts and chemical solvents.
Before applying a stain, use a rag to remove any loose or peeling paint and scrape the cabinet surfaces to create a smooth surface. If you choose to sand the cabinets, do so with a sanding block or sandpaper, and make sure to sand in a well-ventilated work area. Once the sanding is complete, apply a quality adhesion-promoting primer to prepare the wood for stain.
Generally, a stain will last longer than a paint, but paints can contend more effectively against everyday wear and tear. Whether you choose to stain or paint your cabinets, you will need to reseal them after the project is completed to protect them from moisture and stains.
Once the stain is applied and dried, use a brush to apply a protective sealer to your new look. A polyurethane or clear varnish will give your cabinets a nice sheen and additional protection from the elements. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and drying times.
If you are re-staining your cabinets, choose a dark stain to bring out the details and beauty of the grain pattern. Remember to test the stain in an inconspicuous part of your cabinet, or on a piece of scrap wood before using it on the cabinets. This will ensure you get the exact look and color you want.
If you decide on a darker stain, consider choosing one with warm undertones. Light tan and taupe stains are both common options. Be sure to choose a durable stain, such as those from Minwax or Zar, and don’t leave stain rags lying around the house (they have been known to spontaneously combust). If you would rather not deal with the extra maintenance of stained cabinets, thermofoil is an excellent alternative.
Finish
Choosing the right finish is an important step. Unlike stain, which penetrates the surface, paint only covers the existing wood. As a result, the choice of finish will affect the durability and longevity of the job. Several finishes are available for cabinets, including satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss. Satin is an attractive option that provides a soft sheen and hides minor scratches and smudges well. The lower viscosity of satin also helps the paint withstand frequent cleaning without losing its luster. It’s the ideal finish for a kitchen that receives a lot of traffic and may be subject to stains from food and drink spillage.
A gloss finish can make your cabinetry look shiny and new, while a matte or flat finish hides blemishes. The sheen also reflects light, making small rooms feel more spacious and brighter. However, a gloss finish is prone to smudges and fingerprints and requires regular cleaning to maintain its appearance.
It’s also important to consider the color of your cabinetry when choosing a finish. While tinted poly and waxes can change the color of your cabinets, they can chip, peel or leave a disproportionate amount of coloration when applied over original finishes, according to Consumer Reports (CR). Water-based poly and enamel paints are recommended because they have better performance than oil-based paints. Oil-based paints contain a heavy binder and require more sanding, but they have a long lifespan and can withstand harsh chemicals and moisture, CR says.
Refinishing is a cost-effective solution for updating your cabinetry but isn’t appropriate for major transformations. It can be time-consuming and doesn’t address structural or functionality issues, such as warped doors. Refacing, on the other hand, is a more comprehensive upgrade, replacing doors, drawer fronts, and veneer and adding new molding and face framings for a uniform look or to update your style.
The most common way to change the look of your cabinetry is to refinish or reface them. To refinish, you would sand and clean the cabinets before applying a coat of paint or stain to the existing surfaces. The refinishing process is less expensive than a full replacement but it can be labor-intensive and requires more prep work.