| Cabinet Re-facing: How to Recover Old Cabinets |
From "Weekend Handyman"
episode WKH-102 |
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Note: Click here for a materials list and complete instructions without images. Materials for the Complete Job: Table saw
Miter saw
Jig saw
Pneumatic finish nailer and nails
Compressor and hose
Wood glue
Wood putty
Tape measure
Framing square
Speed square
Saw horses
Masking tape
Utility knife
Straightedge
Clamps
Spring loaded center punch
Cordless drill
Router
4' level
Paintbrush
Tack rag
Sandpaper
Sandpaper block
Stain (golden pecan)
One hour finish (sealant/polyurethane) Cost and Time: The cost of re-facing old kitchen cabinets is approximately $5,000, and this project should take approximately 18 hours over two days. Difficulty Rating: It's rated a 3 on a scale of 1 to 5. - Sand the surface of the new cupboards just to rough it up so the wood adheres properly.
- Using wood glue first, affix the side panel (figure A) using a pneumatic brad nailer and 5/8 inch brads.
Tip: Nail top to bottom to avoid creating a bubble in the middle of the panel. - Now that the cupboards are refaced with the new wood (figure B), you need to stain them. Sand, wipe debris with tack cloth, stain and then apply three coats of polyurethane.
Tip: When you're staining the face frames, it's a good idea to stain the inside first, which will allow you to come back to the face of the cabinet to control any drips or smears that may occur. - Next, pre-stain what wood pieces (molding or whatever) you can. It is a good idea to pre-stain the molding so you can ensure not to get stain on the ceiling. Pre-stain the counter top edging as well, if you are replacing that -- and the new cabinet doors. (Even if they came from the manufacturer pre-stained, lightly sand and stain again to touch up where they have been handled).
- Now you're ready to hang the doors, but first, if you've been handling the doors, be sure to "lightly" sand them. Your fingers have natural oils, and if you don't sand the doors you could have fingerprints that show up once you start staining.
Tip: When sanding a cabinet door, don't use sandpaper directly under your fingertips. This can cause indentations in the wood. It's best to use a sanding block (figure C), which evenly distributing the pressure to create a beautiful finish for your wood. - Now it's time to stain the cabinet doors. If you have raised borders on your cabinet panel doors, paint them first so the stain "won't" bead up in the corners. The doors should get three coats of polyurethane just like the face frames, and if you get a glob, try to brush it out immediately. If you do get a glob, however, gently pull the excess off with your fingernail (figure D) or thumbnail, gently rub it out with fine-grade sandpaper and cover it with another coat of polyurethane.
Note: Wait three hours between coats of polyurethane. Tip: It's a big help if you can get some of the staining done before you start this weekend project. It would definitely save you time. Next Weekend Project: Tiling a Porch Weekend Projects Index
RESOURCES :
Cabinet Doors, Drawer Fronts, Hinges, Drawer Slides and Veneer
Cabinet Doors
Model # Oak
Style: Berkshire
Drawer Fronts
Model # Oak
Style: Solid Oak
Hinges
Model # Bkhinge
Color: Burnished Brass
Drawer Slides
Model # KV1284
Veneer
Model # Oak
Type: PSA
Woodcabinetdoors.com
Website: www.woodcabinetdoors.com
Rockler Woodworking & Hardware Products
Book: Refacing Cabinets
Catalog # 90595
PSA Veneer 24x24
Catalog # 61269
Color: Red Oak
PSA Matte Laminate
Catalog # 32731
Color: White
2-14" Blum low profile drawer slides
Catalog # 34835
Five 22" Blum low profile drawer slides
Catalog # 34876
Self-centering Bit-Set
Catalog # 34537
Fuller Bit & Countersink Set
Catalog # 70441
Stop collar for above
Catalog # 49429
Stop Collar for above
Catalog # 49437
40 knob pulls
Catalog # 35172
JIGIT template and Punch for knobs
Catalog # 35172
221' lin/ft of 1/4"x2" Solid
Catalog # Stock
Color: Red Oak
65' lin/ft of 1/4"x6" Solid
Catalog # Stock
Color: Red Oak
20' lin/ft of 1 x 8 Solid
Catalog # Stock
Color: Red Oak
Smove Cabinet Door Shock Absorber
Model # 39921
Smove Test Block
Model #: 39930
Rockler Woodworking & Hardware
Website: www.rockler.com
GUESTS :
John and Mike Lepak
Woodcabinetdoors.com
4728 Rice Lake Rd.
Duluth, MN 55803
Tollfree Phone: 800-732-0309
Fax: 218-727-6511
Email: info@woodcabinetdoors.com
Website: www.woodcabinetdoors.com
CFO & COO
Al Wolford
Rockler Woodworking & Hardware
4365 Willow Dr.
Medina, MN 553401
Phone: 763-478-8334
Fax: 763-478-8393
Email: awolford@rockler.com
Website: www.rockler.com
Supervisor Technical Support
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