Carpentry and Woodworking - refinishing dark cabinets
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lobo241
07-01-04, 05:57 PM
I have dark stained 20 yr. old kitchen cabinets. Is there any way to make them a lighter shade? I am open to suggetions.
Dave_D1945
07-01-04, 08:20 PM
Buy new ones? :D
Trying to lighten cabinets is a challenge. A lot depends on what they are made of and how they were made. If they're the typical tract home cabinets, they probably aren't worth the effort. You're looking at stripping, sanding, restaining and refinishing. The cabinet carcasses (boxes) probably have a very thin hardwood veneer which can be easily damaged during the process and the damage will be difficult to hide.
Trying to lighten cabinets is a challenge. A lot depends on what they are made of and how they were made. If they're the typical tract home cabinets, they probably aren't worth the effort. You're looking at stripping, sanding, restaining and refinishing. The cabinet carcasses (boxes) probably have a very thin hardwood veneer which can be easily damaged during the process and the damage will be difficult to hide.
lobo241
07-02-04, 08:32 AM
these cabinets are very solid, they are just too dark for my wife's taste.
chfite
07-03-04, 12:24 PM
Just strip the old cabinets and stain and finish to suit your tastes.
Dave_D1945
07-04-04, 06:52 AM
It isn't impossible to strip cabinets - just messy and sometimes difficult. Most cabinet carcassess have a very thin (1/32") hardwood veneer on a plywood or particle board substrate. Faceframes, doors, and drawer fronts are usually solid hardwood.
You'll need to use some kind of chemical stripper to remove the old finish (and maybe some of the old stain) followed by some sanding to even things up and prepare for a new stain and finish. It's the sanding that can get you in trouble since sanding through the veneer can happen in a heartbeat. A "sand through" usually shows up like a neon sign and there's little you can do about it.
If you really want to refinish your cabinets, I recommend starting in an unobtrusive area and see how it goes. You can practice your technique, see if you like the results, and decide if you want to keep going. :)
You'll need to use some kind of chemical stripper to remove the old finish (and maybe some of the old stain) followed by some sanding to even things up and prepare for a new stain and finish. It's the sanding that can get you in trouble since sanding through the veneer can happen in a heartbeat. A "sand through" usually shows up like a neon sign and there's little you can do about it.
If you really want to refinish your cabinets, I recommend starting in an unobtrusive area and see how it goes. You can practice your technique, see if you like the results, and decide if you want to keep going. :)
Big Dan
07-18-04, 06:38 PM
While growing up at my parents they had a nice kitchen installed. Back in the days that dark was in. I don't know what part of the darl Vs. light circle of style we are on, but I prefer lighter wood than darker. That being said, I'll pass on my idea.
My parents grew tired of there dar cabinets and had someone veneer new wood over the old color. They were then able to finish in the color that my parents desired and clear coat it to protect it. If I remember they basically sanded the clear coat off to ensure that the glue would adhere and that was about it. :rolleyes: Oh yeah, they replaced the doors with mating ones and disposed of the 20 year old ones.
Don't know if it helped, but there it is. :p
My parents grew tired of there dar cabinets and had someone veneer new wood over the old color. They were then able to finish in the color that my parents desired and clear coat it to protect it. If I remember they basically sanded the clear coat off to ensure that the glue would adhere and that was about it. :rolleyes: Oh yeah, they replaced the doors with mating ones and disposed of the 20 year old ones.
Don't know if it helped, but there it is. :p
Dave_D1945
07-18-04, 07:15 PM
That's called refacing and it's supposed to be a way to get updated cabinets on the cheap. Some jobs can look fairly good if just the carcasses are refaced and the doors and drawer fronts are replaced. I think it's a waste of time and money if the cabinets are made of veneered particle board.
Unfortunately, the veneer seems to come loose sooner or later - usually over toasters, stoves, coffee pots or anywhere an appliance generates warm, moist air.
Unfortunately, the veneer seems to come loose sooner or later - usually over toasters, stoves, coffee pots or anywhere an appliance generates warm, moist air.