Skip the elbow grease and get right to the good part of transforming your cabinetry
When the finish on your cabinets starts to get dull, it can make your kitchen look drab. But refinishing requires a lot of time for sanding and varnishing, making it a big undertaking.
Instead, let us show you how to restore kitchen cabinets without sanding and varnishing. Everyone loves to see wood grain shine through, giving their space a welcoming glow, but doing a full refinishing job on cabinets is time-consuming, not to mention expensive. If you want to improve the look of your wood cabinets without the hassle involved in a full refinishing job, here’s what you need to know.
Begin by giving your cabinets a good scrub with some soapy water. Make sure to rinse the surfaces well. While you don’t need to clean the cabinet surfaces, don’t use any polish at this stage, as the extra oil will make the restoration process take longer. One 16-ounce can of wood finish will cover about 250 square feet of woodwork, but manufacturers recommend adding two coats for best results. Make sure that you have enough materials to cover the surface area of your cabinet facings, visible framing, and sides before you begin. Waiting too long between coats can cause an uneven appearance if you stop partway through a surface, so it’s best to have your tools and materials ready to go.
Spread out your newspaper, cardboard, or drop cloth out over exposed surfaces underneath the cabinetry or anywhere the refinishing oil could drip or smear. Make sure to cover any finished woodwork that you don’t intend to restore as well to prevent an accidental refinishing project.
If there are drawer pulls and handles on your cabinets, you should remove them to avoid damaging the finish or staining them. To keep them from getting lost, you can stash the cabinet hardware in a labeled bag or box for safekeeping. This step will make it easier to locate each piece of hardware once you’re ready to reinstall.
Put on your protective gloves and pour wood refinishing oil onto a rag and wipe it onto the surface of your cabinets. Repeat this step until you have covered every visible area of the cabinets, making sure to get into the nooks and crannies of each cabinet.
Allow the refinishing oil to set for about 30 minutes, but don’t leave it for more than an hour. This step allows the oil to penetrate the existing finish and seep into the wood grain. If you leave it too long, it can dry out too much, making it more difficult to wipe away the excess when it’s time.
Use a clean rag to wipe away excess oil to prevent build-up. You might need to scrub a little bit to get all of the extra oil. Don’t miss spots in corners or behind the facings to achieve an even, polished look.
Depending on how the first pass goes, you might need to do a second coat. Wait for about 30 minutes after you wipe away the excess and then look to see how even your finish looks. If you want to create a richer, darker look, you can apply a second coat of wood refinishing oil.
Once you’ve waited the requisite 30 minutes, apply a smooth, light layer of wood wax to the cabinets. This step will help bring out the shine of the finish even more. The wax can help cover over any flaws in the finish and condition the wood.
Spray some orange oil onto a clean rag and apply it to the cabinets. This material is a good way to add protection into cabinet cracks and corners where wax might not be easily applied, but it will also help protect the wood from damage from moisture.
Restoring kitchen cabinets as a DIY costs $50 to $100 for supplies. Many homeowners turn to the project because it’s significantly cheaper than fully refinishing their kitchen cabinets, which costs between $1,990 and 4,500, with a national average cost of $3,115. Much of cabinet refinishing’s high cost is due to labor. In contrast, cabinet restoration is much easier to do yourself, but you can still hire a pro if you don’t feel confident in the work.
Restoring your kitchen cabinets without sanding and varnishing is a pretty simple DIY project. Although doing the job yourself will save you some money, having a local cabinet refacing pro tackle the task will likely make it easier to refinish again in the future. Plus, you can ensure high-quality results that will make your cabinetry last for years to come.
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Krumlauf FloorsTerrible experience. Walls/trim/floors/cabinets/doors all have drip marks, overspray, etc. Tiling at the fireplace had to be redone by another vendor due to incorrect and shoddy install by Profect. Contractor had his children in our house while he was on site without prior authorization or...
Profect painting & exteriorsJason has helped me with multiple household projects, with the most recent being new door installation. He has always showed up on time and organized and has done an incredible job! Jason is very professional and he's now my go-to for anything around my house that needs to be fixed or...
Huff Garage Rescue, LLCCole has been handling plumbing and general contracting for our four properties over the past three years, and he’s always done a great job. Most recently, he installed a sink and countertop in our retail store where none existed before, and it turned out exactly how we needed. He’s...
ANB Renovations LLC1st Choice Renew is simply the best! We hired them for a complete home renovation, and they transformed our space into something truly amazing. The team attention to detail and commitment to quality were evident throughout the project. They were easy to work with, very responsive, and always...
Save A DimeI am highly satisfied with the window replacement service I received; the professionals from Savvy Exteriors were punctual and did an amazing job that exceeded my expectations.
Savvy ExteriorsThis company is my go to resource for all my post renovation clean ups. They get the place spotless! All we have to do after is stage the place and sell, sell, sell! They are super professional and have some amazing scent that is left in every property. I highly recommend!
The Royal Sanitation GroupMy kitchen cabinets look brand new thanks to Custom Paint Jobs LLC. Their refinishing is exceptional.
Custom Paint Jobs, LLCOn time, clean and finished fast. Windows seem sturdy and the finish is good. Caulking was done with no smudges. Would recommend.
Window Depot USA of Central OhioGreat job...edging and pre clean up went well with a great job with seal coat. Friendly, efficient and professional.
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