DIY Cabinet Refinishing – 4 Basic Steps

By HomeAdvisor

Updated February 28, 2017

Worn cabinets make even new kitchens look a little sad. Fortunately, a simple refinish will liven them up without costing you thousands of dollars. Give your kitchen the awe-inspiring look it deserves with these four simple steps:

Step1: Remove the doors and hardware from your cabinets. Lay your doors on a sawhorse or table to give yourself some room to work.

Step 2: Brush or roll a water-based, acrylic primer on your doors and cabinet frames (which should still be attached to your wall). Let your primer dry and give your doors and frames a quick once-over with a sanding block.

Step 3: Apply your paint. The color and type of paint you choose will depend on your desired look and budget. Oil-based paints are the go-to for many homeowners. Both oil- and latex-based paints offer a variety of levels of sheen: gloss, semi-gloss and satin — which offers the flattest finish. Your paint’s sheen will not affect your cabinets’ functionality (although glossier finishes are easier to clean).

Step 4: Add a second coat if necessary. Let your cabinets dry and enjoy your kitchen’s new look.

P.S. You can also upgrade your cabinets’ hardware to give your refinish an additional punch of style.

1 Comments

  1. Mary, September 13:

    What about washing the grease and grim off first!?!

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