If you are tired of the look of your kitchen cabinets, you do not have to spend a lot to transform them or to order an entire set of cabinets. While some people might want to contact the best cabinet maker melbourne has to offer to replace their old cabinets, it might be easier to simply refinish them. A good refinishing job can do the trick and it will cost you a fraction of what you would have spent on new cabinets.
Obviously, you don’t want to end up with a poorly done job, so I intend to share tips on refinishing your kitchen cabinets like a pro.
For many homeowners, the first decision they face is whether to keep the old cabinet doors or replace them. I always advise that a fresh coat of paint can work wonders on old doors. To get started, empty the cabinets and ensure everything you remove is safely stored away and won’t hinder your work. Also, make sure you have all the necessary tools. A typical pro would have the following:
Screwdrivers, hammer, sanding blocks, detail sander or belt sander, scrapers, painter’s tape or masking tape, paint stripper, paint brushes, paint, and newspaper to protect floors and walls from paint drops. If you think of anything else you might need, add it to your list to avoid having to make trips to the hardware store mid-job.
But, if you are unhappy with the design of your cabinet doors or they are showing signs of wear and tear, replacing them could be a more smart choice compared to simply repainting. For a successful outcome, you can consider connecting with companies like Lovech that specialize in crafting custom cabinet doors. This way, you can personalize the doors to your liking and ensure they fit your style preferences perfectly.
You may also want to add time to the list of things you should consider, because this is not a quick job. It can take up your entire weekend or even a couple of weekends, depending on the size and number of your cabinets.
Phase 1
Remove the cabinet doors and drawers, this should be an easy task if you have the right screw drivers. For some cabinet doors, you may find that the screws have been painted over, you will need to clean the groves but be careful not to damage the grooves, just scrape off the paint so that the screw driver can do its job easily. As you remove the doors, make sure you place them in such a way that you will remember which one goes where. You will also want to keep the screws safely so none gets lost.
Phase 2
Get prepared to clean. You will need to clean the cabinets thoroughly to ensure there is no grease that will affect the finishing. You may also need to get out the sanding paper or maybe even blast media to remove paint in the cabinets and then smoothen the surface removing peeling paint, bubbles and any uneven surfaces. Do not rush through this phase, it is important that the cabinet area is smooth and even.
Phase 3
After sanding, you need to clean off the particles that have been produced. You could use a good handheld vacuum and later follow through with a wet tack cloth. If you are going to be using oil paint, then it is best to clean the surface using spirit based liquid which will dry faster
Phase 4
This is a step many amateurs may ignore, you need to clean the cabinet hardware as well and you cannot just apply a fresh coat of paint on them. Remove the hinges from the doors and soak them in soapy water, usually 30 minutes is enough and then you can clean them with a brush or scrape off paint. Alternatively, you can use methylene chloride if you are in a hurry, but remember it can also strip some finishings so do not use too much and ensure you are wearing gloves as you work with it. Once they have dried, apply polish to the surface.
Phase 5
Now it is time for the cabinets, you need to strip them too and this will take some time, you can choose to use liquid or gel strippers to remove the old paint. If you are worried about the strippers dripping on your floor, then you can use gels. You will also need to sand the cabinet, I would recommend that you purchase the best belt sander online to save you from having to work your elbows with the manual sanding.
Phase 6
You may realize after the stripping, there are dents on the wood, for this, you can use wood putty to fill them and then let it dry. When it has dried, sand it to make it smooth. Use a tack cloth after that to remove particles.
Phase 7
Here is another step that separates the amateurs from the pros. A pro would know that you need to add primer as an under coat for the paint. Buy your primer according to the paint you intend to use. Some are for oil paint, others for water based or latex. You can ask the professionals at the store which they would recommend for you. Apply the primer evenly and let it dry.
Phase 8
This is the highlight of your refinishing. Choose the paint you wish to use and then begin painting. You will need to ensure you cover areas that you do not wish to be painted, use masking tape. You can either use a brush to paint or a spray. The sprays give a more professional and smooth look.
As a safety measure, ensure you do all this in a well-ventilated area and you cover your nose to prevent inhaling too much of the fumes from the paints and other chemicals you will be using.
Also, take your time and do not rush through this task or you will end up with an unsightly kitchen. I recommend you read this guide more than once and take down notes that you will refer to as you carry out the task. However, if you feel that refnishing your cabinets alone is a tough task, then you can contact cabinet refinishers like N-Hance wood refinishing (you can search for N-Hance of North San Diego County online to locate them) who can do the task for you quickly and that too in an affordable price range.