How can I revert my white cabinets back to their natural color?

Hello Eareka! If you want to change your white cabinets to a natural color you will have to strip off the finish down to bare wood using a paint stripping product and lots of hard work. Before you start a project like this you should probably know what wood your cabinets are made from. If you are talking about kitchen cabinets, some are made of solid wood and some are not. For example, I know my kitchen cabinets are solid oak and if I removed all the current finish to stain and poly my cabinets to look more natural I know they would look good.

Hello. Thats a tricky question.

Brown paint could be an option —a true wood finish might be more challenging and problematic. Typically molding, grooves and different levels or planes cause challenges with producing attractive faux finishes.

Alternatively White cabinets could be a lower grade of wood- paint grade wood and not be conducive to pleasing stain application if a stripping was done.

Faux finishes may be worth a try- here is a link

https://www.oldhouseonline.com/repairs-and-how-to/create-faux-wood-grain-finish

You'll need to strip and stain them: https://homeguides.sfgate.com/stepbystep-instructions-strip-stain-kitchen-cabinets-99271.html

Here are projects other Hometalkers did a faux wood grain. You can use these as a guide.

https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=wood%20grain

While it will not be an easy job, take the plunge and strip and restain. Use citristrip a safe non-toxic remover.

Start with a stripper, CitriStrip is a good one just don't leave it on too long and let it dry. Sand down to bare wood. Make sure you go with a fine grit so that you don't damage the integrity of the wood.

Eareka: what a huge job!

you may want to consider painting them a color

(in the shade if wood) that you like.

Hi Eareka. Stripping and sanding your cabinets is a lot of very hard work, time and elbow grease. I recently discovered that there is a new paint on the market called "Beyond Paint". It eliminates the need of stripping, sanding, or sealing. But it comes at a very high price. Depending on how many cabinets you have, you may require a little or a lot. I found it on Wal Mart's web site for approx (deep breath) $100 a gallon. It's an alternative to achieve the same result. Good luck Eareka.

Before you dive in and strip, make sure the cabinets are good wood with staining. Also sometimes with white cabinets the frames are if a lesser grade than the doors and won't match. It's really safer to just repaint in another color than to go to the trouble strip just to find the cabinets aren't as nice as you hoped. Good luck. Painted cabinets in fun colors could be very cool. I just did a kitchen for a client in Seafoam Green. Turned out beautiful.

Hello there,

What a job you are giving yourself! Probably better to send them off to a strip shop where they can be dipped. Not cheap but it may be worth you while if they are something like Oak or other hardwood. Alternative might be to paint them in a flat coat or two of the colour wood you are hoping to find under the white paint and then either Dry brush on top with a darker gel varnish or use a graining tool available from DIY's to achieve the look of natural wood. Best wishes.

Are they painted? If there isn't wood underneath, you can't make them wood.

Hi Eareka, I think you would do best to pick a nice shade that looks like a wood color, and paint them, OR you could try to find a peel and stick that is a wood grain look, it may be easier than trying to strip and sand etc. I have attached a link to show the different peel and sticks

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Timberchic-1-8-in-x-3-in-x-12-42-in-Peel-and-Stick-Tan-Wooden-Decorative-Wall-Paneling-40-sq-ft-Box-25340/311946778

You've got some serious sanding in your future! That is a HUGE job. Maybe think about refacing them and getting new cabinet doors instead?

I agree with Jessica. When you paint - you can't go back unless you want to sand it all off!!!

Hi Eareka,

Strip the paint off and then sand the whole thing down to bare wood and start again.