Can you help me refinish my cabinets?
![Lynnoliver](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/resources/imgs-responsive/avatar-letters/avatar-L-FF00A7.png?size=91x91)
![](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/profile/2017/01/24/18217061_1.jpg?size=50x50)
![](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/resources/imgs-responsive/avatar-letters/avatar-W-F1C40F.png?size=50x50)
![](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/profile/2016/09/25/7331663_1.jpg?size=50x50)
Related Discussions
How can you update/refinish a limestone countertop?
![Kim Donna](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/resources/imgs-responsive/avatar-letters/avatar-K-50E3C2.png?size=50x50)
We have a limited budget but want to update, refinish, or install a material over the existing limestone kitchen countertop. It is in the house we recently bought. ... See more
What can I do to makeover a medicine cabinet with a sliding mirror fo?
![Joy](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/resources/imgs-responsive/avatar-letters/avatar-J-FF9646.png?size=50x50)
Can I refinish my IKEA kitchen cabinets with epoxy resin?
![Chris Lim](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/profile/2019/08/14/47673107_1.jpg?size=50x50)
Hi! I am hoping someone can help. I have the "old" Akurum Ikea Cabinets with super glossy white Abstrakt doors. I love the doors but after 17 years the film which is ... See more
How Can I Update This Corner Cabinet?
![Kitchen Kelli](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/profile/2021/08/22/116253_1.jpg?size=50x50)
Everyone gave us so many amazing choices for the water pump/cistern, I thought I would ask about your experience and advice on updating this cabinet. It has held my a... See more
How can I refinish this china cabinet?
![Rosie-Jim Dryer](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/profile/2015/08/17/2101659_2.jpg?size=50x50)
This china cabinet was one that my husband picked up at a garage sale many, many years ago. I love it but I also hate it because it is so scratched and so hard to kee... See more
Can you refinish an enameled tabletop?
![Joanne Hickling](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/profile/2017/04/19/22611416_1.jpg?size=50x50)
This table has painted wood base, with a built in silverware drawer. The top can be unlocked and slid to extend. The top has an enameled finish. I love the table, not... See more
http://www.popularwoodworking.com/projects/bleaching-wood *****
http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/home-diy/furniture-restoration/how-to-refinish-furniture3.htm ***** http://www.wikihow.com/Bleach-Wood
Stains are easy and odd to apply. When you sand the wood, the coarser the sand paper the darker the stain. The smoother you sand it, the lighter the stain. When sun light and age hits wood the new stains do come out different. Sometimes you will have to apply two different stains to achieve the color you're after. Look at the charts and if you find a couple that are close get a small can of both and try on a piece of wood, see the difference.
Thank you, Hillela! Been a woodworker for 20+ years. I have bleached wood more than I can count. My go to is oxalic acid.
The Oxalic acid does not affect the staining process once neutralized and dried. It lightens the wood by reacting with dyes (tannins) in the wood but not the look or grain of the wood. I seems that the Driftwood product you use is Oxalic or bleach based. After any of the processes are neutralized and the wood is dry, some sanding will be needed as the moisture raises the grain, then it can be stained.
I gave up on staining and decided to paint. I removed the doors, all 22 of them, and took them to an auto body and paint shop. He painted them a high gloss black and I painted the front of the cabinets to match. They were wall to wall except for 2 and so I painted the sides of those. Came out looking great especially after I added white knobs and drawer pulls.