DIY Network

Cabinet Makeovers Cabinet Makeovers From "Ask DIY" episode ADI-415

Q: Is there an easy way to add interest and beauty to my dull kitchen cabinets?

A: (from Bruce Johnson, Ask DIY Woodworking expert) A surefire way to rejuvenate your kitchen cabinets is to get back to basics -- strip them down to the bare wood and re-stain them.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G
	Figure H

The wood used in our example is typical of the '60s: cherry-stained birch with a heavy lacquer coating (figure A). Sanding off this finish would require a lot of effort, but thanks to the variety of wood strippers -- also known as furniture refinishers -- on the market today, you can often spare yourself a lot of elbow grease. These products work well on old lacquer (figure B) but not so well on polyurethane, so apply a little with a cloth first to see whether the finish is going to come off easily.

Safety tip: Always work in a well-ventilated area -- or better yet, outdoors -- when you're using chemical strippers. The fumes can build up quickly and may cause a variety of health problems.

Note: You may wish to remove the cabinet doors and take them outside to work on them. This is the easiest way to approach this project, but you can leave them in place if necessary.

1. Once you've determined that the refinisher will successfully remove the old finish, use a stripping pad or a cloth to apply the solution to the wood. It will begin working almost at once and will enable you to quickly remove the finish down to the bare wood.

2. After you've stripped the entire surface, dip a clean rag in the solution and remove any remaining residue of the old finish. Figure C, which shows the same type of wood with both a heavy finish and its original natural surface, illustrates the fact that people are often fooled into thinking that a wood such as birch is actually cherry, just because it has been stained to resemble the more expensive wood.

3. To refinish the cabinets once they've been stripped, choose whatever stain you want for your kitchen, then apply it with a sag or a foam brush (the latter works better for covering large, flat surfaces). Keep in mind that hardwoods such as birch have a tight pore structure, while softer woods such as oak (figure D) have a more open grain pattern. Softer woods will soak up more stain than hardwoods, so you need to be aware of the porousness of your wood and allow enough time -- five to 10 minutes, on average -- for the stain to soak in adequately.

4. After applying the stain, allow it to dry for six to eight hours, then apply a coat of polyurethane to bring out the color.

   (Note: It's important to remember that as stain dries, it can take on a flat, lifeless appearance. For this reason, people sometimes look at a stained piece and think that the finish is going to be too light or otherwise not what they hoped it would be. But the polyurethane will substantially enhance the color as seen in figure E in addition to protecting the surface.)

5. Apply a second coat of polyurethane, after the initial coat has had ample time to dry.

If you want to add even more punch to your cabinet doors, you may wish to stencil a design on each one. This simple technique can be done in a relatively short time -- and it will add a personal touch to your kitchen.

You can use commercial stencils or make your own. Other than the stencil, all you need are water-based paint or paints, a sponge and some paper towels. Simply apply the stencil to the surface, dip the edge of the sponge in the paint (figure F), dab the excess onto the paper toweling and then carefully sponge the remaining paint onto the cut-out area of the stencil (figure G). Even the simplest design can make a dramatic difference (figure H)!

RESOURCES :

The Wood Finisher: How to Finish Everything, From Decks to Floors to Doors
Author: Bruce Johnson
ISBN: 0345372972
Ballantine Books

Better Homes and Gardens: Step-By-Step Cabinets and Shelves
Model: 0696010658
Author: Editors of Better Homes and Gardens
(June, 1983)

Better Homes and Gardens Books

Cabinets and Bookcases (Art of Woodworking)
Model: 0809499452
Author: Niall Barrett