How to stain wood cabinets?

Question

How do I stain my wood cabinets? Do I have to remove them and put them back, or can I stain them while they are attached?

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

You can do either way, but down is always much easier. But instead of removing the boxes simply remove all the doors and hardware will be the way to do it if they are currently up. 
Also stain is really left to unfinished wood surfaces. Paint is a faster way to go. 
What color or look are you trying to achieve?

Z · Answer

Many folks use a gel stain over existing stain to darken the wood. Here's a few Hometalk members that have done so.... http://www.hometalk.com/search?filter=gel+stain+

WallsTreat Studio/ Kass Wilson · Answer

If your cabinets have a sealer or varnish on them, the stain will just sit on top. Stain is meant to be absorbed into raw wood.

Z · Answer

@Kass, is correct, but there are products out there that do work over prefinished wood. Personally I don't think they look as well as it does when one removes the old finish. I was just giving an idea of what others have done. Minwax actually has directions now for using their Polyshades over previously finished wood. http://www.minwax.com/wood-products/one-step-stain-and-finishes/minwax-polyshades Though they (minwax) recommend to removed the old finish before using their gel stains I know many have used them over previously finished wood with results they were happy with. Like I said, I prefer to start with raw wood. I highly recommend whatever the original poster chooses to do they do a test first somewhere inconspicuous. Like on the inside of a seldom used door.

MONA · Answer

Thank you ladies so much. I do have a very light wood in my kitchen. Mrs. Becky and would like to darken it up. Just not my taste, However it does have a varnish on them. I was told that I could use a mineral spirit to strip the stain.. Is that correct? Kass thanks for the info. I dont want to make a mess of things..

MONA · Answer

If it has a varnish on them and I wanted to strip before I restain. Can I use mineral spirt to strip if I have real wood? My cabintes are light and I want to go darker.

Z · Answer

Mona, without seeing photos of your cabinets I can't give you a definite answer. I'd suggest you remove a door and take it with you to make sure you buy the correct product for removing the old finish. If the doors are flat you and are only varnished/clear coated/no stain you can just sand instead of using a chemical stain remover though.

WallsTreat Studio/ Kass Wilson · Answer

Becky has this right. Take the door to one of the specialty paint stores (like Ben Moore or Sher Wms). They are trained to know which products to use on which surfaces.

William · Answer

Can't stain over paint. Stain absorbs into wood grain. You will need to strip the paint off, sand smooth, then stain and seal.

Ken Erickson · Answer

Gel is very easy to apply since it won't run down like other stains. The can should give instructions. Rub the gel on with a rag and wipe off excess. Ensure it is dry before you put on any top coat of finish. Be sure to get rubber gloves unless you want your hands to match the cabinets. icon

Karen Krysowaty · Answer

If there is a sealer on top then you will need to sand it off and then restain

Dl.5660408 · Answer

Yep! Take the doors off and the hardware, sand well and wipe residue off, then stain. You can use a stain then finish with a poly sealer in your choice of sheen, from flat to high gloss or use a stain that already has a sealer in it. I like Minwax also

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