San Jose Cabinet Refinishing is a DIY-friendly option for homeowners looking to breathe new life into their existing cabinets. It’s also a great solution for wood cabinets that have suffered from warping over time.
However, refinishing only offers limited style and color options. If you’re ready for a true design overhaul, we recommend refacing.
Refinishing involves a thorough cleaning, sanding and priming to prepare the surface for new paint. This step can take time and care is taken to ensure that the existing finish is removed as completely as possible without damaging the wood. The surfaces will then be scuffed to create an optimal surface for adhesion. A primer is then applied to the sanded surfaces to provide a mechanical bond for the final coat of paint. It is important that all scuffing and priming is completed by professional technicians, as this step is a key factor in the long-lasting beauty of your cabinet project.
Once the sanding is complete, all surfaces are vacuumed and wiped down with a tack cloth to remove any remaining dust particles. Then, a sealer is applied to the surface to protect the wood and prevent moisture from seeping into the newly sanded area. Finally, the surface is sanded again to smooth the surface and prepare it for painting.
If you are interested in a more subtle change to your cabinet color, Furniture Medic offers a service called “Cabinet Color Shift.” This process is a bit different from refinishing, and it involves applying several coats of hand-applied dye to the wooden surfaces of your cabinets, changing their appearance slightly in each application. Click here to learn more about this unique service.
Refacing your cabinets is a more extensive transformation that includes replacing all doors and drawer fronts and adding veneer or laminate to the cabinet boxes. This process can take longer than refinishing, but it is more cost-effective and offers a wider range of style options. It also fixes any structural damage to the boxes and improves functionality with new hardware. Refacing is a great option for kitchens that have outdated styles, or those that have experienced significant wear and tear over the years. However, it is important to note that the use of laminates in the refacing process can compromise durability and longevity. Laminates are more likely to delaminate over time and are susceptible to water exposure that can lead to warping and cracking.
Repairing
Cabinet refinishing is a great option for homeowners looking to upgrade their kitchen without spending a fortune. This process strips the existing finish from your cabinet doors and drawer fronts and then applies new stain or paint. The result is a brand-new kitchen that’s sure to impress.
Before you start your project, make sure to remove all of the hardware from your cabinets and place it in a safe location. This will protect it from being lost or damaged during the refinishing process. Next, clean your cabinet surfaces with a degreaser to remove any dirt or grease build-up. This will ensure that the new finish adheres to the surface and looks its best.
During this step, you should also inspect your cabinet doors and drawer fronts for any damage. This includes chips, scratches, and dents that may need to be repaired before you can proceed. If you find any problems, it’s a good idea to have a professional repair them for you. They’ll be able to determine whether or not the damaged area needs to be replaced.
A professional can also help you choose the right color and finish for your cabinet refinishing project. Using high-quality paints and stains will ensure that your cabinet painting job lasts for years to come. Most paints aren’t made to withstand the wear and tear of frequent handling, so they can easily chip or scratch. With NHance’s superior cabinet refinishing service, you can rest assured that your paint job will stand the test of time.
Depending on the condition of your cabinet boxes, you may be able to reface rather than replace them. Refacing replaces the doors and drawer fronts while leaving the boxes intact. This provides a more extensive transformation than refinishing and offers a wider range of style and color options. It also allows you to change the functionality of your cabinets by adding new hardware.
However, refacing requires more work than refinishing and doesn’t address any structural issues. So if you’re planning on staying in your home long-term, refinishing is the better option.
Sanding
When your cabinet surfaces are clean and sanded, it’s time to start painting. You’ll want to apply a few coats of paint, waiting at least 4 hours in between each coat, so that the wood and finish dry thoroughly. You can use a foam roller for this project, as it leaves minor brush marks, which looks nicer than using a sprayer.
Before you begin painting, lightly scuff sand all cabinet doors and drawer fronts. This will improve the grip of the primer and help achieve a smooth, even finish when you’re finished. Use a medium-grit sandpaper, like 150 or 180 grit. Be sure to wipe down all surfaces after sanding with a damp cloth or tack towel. This will remove any heavy dust and dirt from the surface of your cabinets, ensuring they’re ready for the next steps in your refinishing process.
After sanding, it’s important to clean the cabinet surfaces thoroughly and degrease them if necessary, especially if your cabinets are in your kitchen, where there is a lot of grease build up from cooking activities. Use a cleaner degreaser to ensure the surface is clean and free of oil and grease, which may interfere with the new finish you’re applying.
It’s also a good idea to repair any scratches, chips, or dents in your cabinet doors and drawer fronts at this point. A little wood filler or putty will help to make these areas look more uniform and professional when they’re sanded and painted. It’s best to use a matching wood filler, as this will give you the best results. You’ll need to sand and wipe down the cabinets once again after this is done, making sure they are ready for the final step in your refinishing process.
Once you’re ready to sand, be sure to wear your dust mask, as the fine-grit sandpaper will leave behind quite a bit of dust. You can use an electric sander for larger, flat surfaces, but hand-sanding is the way to go when it comes to detailed areas and edges. Just be careful not to overdo it, as this can damage the wood and cause issues with your finished product.
Painting
Cabinet refinishing is an affordable and practical way to give your cabinets a makeover. However, before you embark on this DIY project, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, you need to prepare the surface. This includes cleaning and priming the area before you begin painting. Using the right paint can also help you achieve the look you want. However, most paint products are not designed for kitchen environments. This is because the kitchen is constantly exposed to moisture and grease, both of which are detrimental to the lifespan of most paint products. In fact, even the best paint job won’t last as long as a properly prepared surface and finish.
You should also determine whether your existing cabinets are painted with an oil-based or water-based paint. If you’re not sure, you can use a rag or cotton ball moistened with denatured alcohol to test the surface. If the paint starts to rub off, it’s likely oil-based, and you’ll need to sand it before applying latex primer and paint.
Then, you’ll need to choose the color of your new paint finish. There are many options to choose from, including flat, eggshell, semi-gloss and gloss finishes. It’s important to remember that your paint finish will have the biggest impact on your cabinets’ appearance, so it’s worth taking time to choose the right color and finish for your kitchen.
Once you’ve selected your new paint finish, you’ll need to apply the coats of paint to your cabinets. This can be done with a brush or sprayer. It’s important to follow the application instructions that come with your chosen product, and it’s best to do several light coats rather than a single thick one. It’s also a good idea to let the coats dry completely between each application.
While cabinet refinishing is an easy DIY project, it can be very difficult to do correctly and can take days or weeks to complete. It’s often much faster and easier to reface your cabinets with professional installation. By enlisting the help of an experienced and knowledgeable professional, you can ensure a smooth project with little to no stress or disruption in your home life.
