What is the best way to refinish oak kitchen cabinets?
by
Kathy Hoy
+4
I have outdated oak kitchen cabinets. They are in very good shape, but would like to update them. I am afraid to try painting or staining them as I would rather do nothing than have them not turn out well or not be durable for daily use. What products are recommended for paint and topcoat? Or is staining a better option?
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'if you stain you will have to strip and sand ,sand, sand to get to 'new' wood -- stain is just that -- it absorbs into the grain of the wood ... if you're not comfortable with painting, etc.kitchens are a bear to do -- lots of hardware to remove, doors to remove and # to be sure to get the right door back on the right cabinet, drawers the same way -- the prep work is much more labor intensive than the actual painting itself -- but good prep work is the key to a successful job...
https://www.hometalk.com/categories/make-over/kitchen/kitchen-cabinets
I love oak! Have you tried cleaning them with Murphy's oil soap? After cleaning, replace all the handles and voila...
new cabinets.
You could paint them with milk or chalk paint. I recently refinished my home's cabinets with General Finishes Milk Paint. The cabinets only needed a light sanding with sand paper to prep them for the paint. It's been about a year since my project, and they are holding up great! http://momhomeguide.com/white-painted-oak-kitchen-cabinets-reveal/
Mine are oak and were in excellent shape in spite of being over 20 years old. I had them professionally painted last year and am super pleased with the way they turned out.
If you choose to paint.
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 120- to 220-grit sandpaper. Use a tack cloth or damp rag to remove dust after sanding. Prime with a stain blocking primer like Zinsser 123, KILZ,or BIN and have it tinted to the color of the top coat. This will prevent dark or stained surfaces from showing through the top coat. 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.
You stain them using gel stain. You can go darker but not lighter.
https://www.minwax.com/how-to-finish-wood/change-stain-color-with-polyshades/