Refinish old maple cabinets

I use Citri Strip, it is non toxic.

Be sure to remove all hardware before starting. Another tip is to label or number the drawers and doors so they don't get mixed up and cause you confusion.

Hi there, any kind of paint stripper will work. I've never used citra strip though I have heard good things about it. The one I've always used is the Klean Strip brand in a gel form.

An alternative to this, in case you're interested or someone else is is using a paint kit from Rustoleum called Cabinet Transformations. You can see how I did it here: https://www.flippingtheflip.com/2015/09/kitchen-cabinets-black.html

Hi Jzht, it sounds like you have an excellent plan and lots of hard work ahead of you.

One suggestion I'd add is to do a final sand with a finer grit sandpaper than 120; perhaps 180 or finer because maple is such a hard wood you'll end up with a much smoother surface using the finer sandpaper before staining. I hope you will take pictures as you work and post your project for us to admire! I admire you for taking this on!

Make sure they are clean and dry. Remove the doors and hardware. Mark the doors and cabinets with tape where they go. Lightly sand the doors and cabinets to remove any gloss and roughen the surface for paint with 220-grit sandpaper. Use a tack cloth or damp rag to remove dust after sanding. Prime with a stain blocking primer like KILZ. Acrylic, or water-base, paints are low-fume and clean up easily with water. Alkyd, or oil-base, paints require good ventilation because the paint contains solvents that can irritate your lungs and make you feel sick. Alkyd options require mineral spirits for cleanup, but they provide a hard, durable paint finish. Whichever you use, buy the best-quality paint you can afford for a lasting kitchen cabinet finish. Seal with at least three coats with a water based polyurethane. Use a small foam roller and foam brush for a smooth finish.

Hello, hope this helps you out,

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/easy-way-strip-kitchen-cabinets-90487.html

Thanks for all the advice thus far! Yes, as I noted, I will use high 220grit for final sanding. And I will be staining not painting. The new stain will be close to the current stain so I plan to not do the inside of the doors which are not seen unless opened. I see Home Depot has 1gallon cans of Klean Strip Kwik-Strip stripper and Klean Strip Premium Stripper and Lowes has Valspar Fast Acting Wood Stripper and Jasco Premium Paint and Epoxy Remover and CitriStrip Stripping Gel (though I prefer more power vs nicer smell). But I think I need a gel in order to strip the vertical cabinet fronts without dripping off??

Citristrip. Safe stripper in paste form. Made to remove layers of paint and finishes.

https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=citristrip

Unless you are changing the color drastically you do not have to strip to the bare wood. I prefer General Finishes stains and their top coat cannot be beat. You have a great plan Good luck, I know this is a tedious job, because I have done it twice.

Just sand your cabinets using 120-grit sandpaper to smooth it out. Ensure to only work in the direction of the grain to bring out the delicate pattern that maple. And just go over them again with 180-grit sandpaper for a smoother finish. Wipe the cabinets down to remove any dust or grit.

Hello this might be helpful

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBuPjvfNHz4

Interesting videos! Vimarhonor, as a test, maybe I'll try both Furniture Refinisher and Kwik Strip on the back of the doors above the fridge and see which is better for my plan. Thanks.

Mineral spirits

Here's a post that might help https://homeguides.sfgate.com/refinish-maple-kitchen-cabinets-29000.html

This video shows how to refinish maple kitchen cabinets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MsZlCj4dn4