Cabinet Refinishing San Jose CA can transform your cabinets, but proper maintenance is critical to keep them looking their best. Wipe your cabinets daily with a damp cloth and perform a monthly deep clean with a mild cleaning solution.
Avoid high humidity – Moisture can cause finishes to bubble and peel. Close doors and drawers gently – Slamming can cause surface damage.
Preparation
Whether your cabinets are old, outdated or damaged, you have options for revitalizing them. You can reface them, replace them or refinish them. Which one you choose will depend on the look you want to achieve and your budget. Our cabinet remodelers will help you determine what’s best for your kitchen or bathroom.
Refinishing involves sanding down the existing finish and applying new paint or stain. It’s a good choice for wood cabinets that are structurally sound but have seen better days. It’s cheaper than replacing cabinet doors and drawer fronts, and can be done in a fraction of the time it takes to do a full kitchen or bathroom replacement.
Start with a deep cleaning using a degreaser such as trisodium phosphate to eliminate grease and grime from all surfaces. Remove and set aside any hardware such as handles, knobs, pulls and hinges for reinstallation later. Mask and protect any areas you don’t want to get paint or stain on with plastic and tape. Prepare a staging area and set out all necessary supplies. A good quality brush or roller, sanding sponges and a sanding block for scuffing will ensure the surface is smooth and ready to accept a new finish.
Sanding down to bare wood can be messy and labor-intensive, but it will give you the greatest amount of control over your new finish. Afterwards, you can paint, stain, glaze – whatever works best for your style.
For a smoother finish, scuff sand before priming to improve paint adhesion. This will also help the primer grip the surface and reduce sheen and bubbles. Then, wipe surfaces down with a damp cloth to remove dust residue and allow them to dry completely. Finally, if you are going to paint, use only paint formulated for cabinetry. This type of paint is more durable and will stand up to the rigors of daily use.
Cleaning
Cabinet refacing is a great way to transform the look of your kitchen without breaking the bank on a total remodel. However, proper care is necessary to preserve the beauty of refaced cabinets and extend their lifespan. Regular cleaning, avoiding harsh chemicals, and conducting frequent inspections can help keep your new cabinets looking their best for years to come.
Use a soft cloth or microfiber towel with a mild non-abrasive cleaner to wipe down cabinet surfaces. Avoid scouring pads or scrub brushes that can scratch the finish and damage the wood. Dry surfaces thoroughly after cleaning to prevent water damage.
Avoid Direct Sunlight
Long-term exposure to sunlight can cause refaced cabinets to fade and can degrade the integrity of the wood and finish. Install window treatments in your kitchen to limit exposure.
Wipe Up Spills Immediately
From coffee spills to cooking splatters, it’s important to wipe up spills as soon as they happen to minimize damage. Use a damp cloth with a mild soap solution to remove grease and food residue, then rinse and dry the surface completely.
Consider Hanging Protective Pads
Cabinet liners are a simple and inexpensive solution to protect your cabinets from stains, scratches, and dents. They are especially useful in high-touch areas like the handles and around sinks where grease tends to collect fastest.
Closing Door and Drawer Surfaces Gently
Slamming drawer and cabinet doors can create chips and damage the finish. Close them gently and consider adding soft-close hinges to your cabinets to extend their lifespan and ensure smooth operation. Also, be sure to lift instead of drag appliances and decor when moving them on or off your cabinets to prevent surface scuffs.
Hardware Removal
Cabinet refinishing typically involves working with your existing cabinet doors and drawer fronts to give them a new color without replacing the cabinets themselves. This process usually requires either chemical stripping or lots of sanding and painting, and can be time-consuming. However, it is a great alternative to full replacement when you want a fresh look without a huge commitment of time and money.
When refinishing your kitchen cabinets, be sure to remove all the hardware and set it aside in a safe place to reinstall later. Be sure to label the hardware to make reassembling the cabinets as easy as possible. Also, be careful when using power tools on the small screws that hold the hardware in place. You may accidentally strip them, which will require the use of hand tools and can make reassembling the cabinet doors and drawers more difficult.
You should wipe down your cabinet surfaces regularly with a soft cloth or sponge and a mild cleaning solution formulated for wood cabinets. Be sure to dry all of the surfaces thoroughly after cleaning to avoid moisture damage and rust. It’s a good idea to do this at least once each season.
Remember that refinishing can only change the color of your existing cabinetry and cannot change the style of the door. If you have arched raised panel doors, for example, they won’t look modern no matter how much you sand and paint them. For more dramatic change, consider refacing your cabinets instead. This process involves applying laminate veneer to your existing cabinet faces and sides and often includes re-hanging the door and drawer fronts. It’s a more comprehensive project, but it can be quicker and less expensive than full replacement and can transform your entire room.
Primer
Before you even think of shaking that paint can, your best bet for a gorgeous finish is to use primer. If you skip this step, your finished result will be a mess (and I’m not just talking about your new cabinets). Primer improves adhesion, which is what saves you time and money when you refinish your kitchen cabinets. It helps your topcoat adhere to glossy, pre-finished, and wood surfaces; it blocks stains, odors, and tannin bleed (particularly important in oak); and creates a smooth surface that reduces visible grain, dings, and wear-and-tear.
The type of primer you choose depends on your surface and needs. For example, if you’re painting over a dark color to a light shade, a bonding primer like Zinnser BIN is the way to go. It’s low odor and fast-drying (so the first door will be ready to handle before you’re done with the last). It can be topped with latex or oil paints, so it’s perfect for all types of cabinet finishes.
For a high-end finish, you can’t go wrong with Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Enamel. It’s durable, looks gorgeous, has a low VOC, and brushes, rolls, and sprays beautifully. It also resists moisture, which is a must for cabinets in high-traffic areas. It’s expensive, but worth it when you’re looking at a long-lasting kitchen upgrade! To help prolong the life of your refinished kitchen cabinets, close doors and drawers gently to prevent chipping. Also, avoid using steam cleaners on surfaces where you’ll rub against them with hot hands or utensils. And finally, if you do have to scrub a surface, be sure to use a non-toxic, natural product such as vinegar or baking soda.
Topcoat
A protective top coat is one of the most important steps in the cabinet refinishing process. It safeguards the wood against moisture, stains, scratches, and even sunlight, and enhances the cabinets’ beauty. The topcoat should be a water-based sealer that’s compatible with the type of paint used. A polycrylic or a polyurethane product is ideal. Avoid oil-based sealers, which have an amber hue and can stain the new finish.
To achieve a beautiful, long-lasting finish, it’s essential to follow the application instructions for your topcoat. Be sure to clean the cabinets thoroughly and sand the surface lightly to improve adhesion. When the surfaces are dry, apply the topcoat with a high-quality brush or foam roller, working in long, even strokes to minimize drips and streaks. Let the first coat dry for the recommended amount of time, resanding it lightly if necessary to smooth out any rough patches and then applying the second coat.
Once the topcoat is dry, you’re ready to enjoy your refreshed cabinets! Be sure to treat them with care and use only non-abrasive cleaners — harsh chemicals can damage the fresh finish. Also, avoid putting hot items on the cabinets or hanging wet dishes, towels, and cloths on them, as excessive moisture can damage the finished surfaces.
With these easy maintenance and care tips, your freshly refinished cabinets will look stunning for years to come. Keep your cabinets looking great with regular dusting, avoiding excessive moisture, and protecting the surfaces from sunlight (with window treatments or other UV-blocking methods). And don’t forget to occasionally inspect for loose hardware and tighten hinges, handles, and locks as needed to maintain your cabinetry’s beauty and functionality.