About Resurfacing Kitchen Cabinets

When a kitchen needs an update, the cabinets are usually the first to show it. Many do-it-yourself individuals, who are looking to save money with kitchen updating or redecorating, choose resurfacing cabinets over replacing them. Resurfacing kitchen cabinets involves stripping old paint or varnish and refinishing them with fresh paint or stain, replacing hardware and knobs and adding decorative molding or laminate panels.

Choosing Resurfacing Methods

As with any redecorating project that involves wood, care should be taken to find out what type of wood the cabinets are made of before choosing a resurfacing method. Many older homes have hardwoods--cherry, maple and oak--hidden beneath years of varnish and paint and require little more than a new finish to bring out the natural wood. Adversely, some kitchen cabinets, thought to be solid wood, reveal pressed wood or superficial veneers that do better with fresh veneers, paint or laminate panels.

Preparation

Before getting started resurfacing kitchen cabinets, old paint and varnish should be removed with commercial paint and varnish removers. Old hardware and hinges need to be removed and in the case of hardwoods, sanding is usually needed to smooth the cabinet surface and bring out natural wood grains.

Paint and Varnish

To bring out the color and beauty of natural wood, a few coats of varnish, stain and clear-coat polyurethane on prepared wood is all that's needed. For individualized colors or kitchen cabinets with a pressed wood or veneer panel finish, painting is more effective. For individuals finishing wood cabinets themselves, care must be taken to make sure the wood is stripped, sanded and prepared for resurfacing.

Cabinet Veneers and Laminates

Covering old kitchen cabinets with plastic laminate or veneers is an easy and cost-effective way to resurface the cabinets and change the look of a kitchen without repainting or refinishing the wood. Laminate panels can be custom cut and installed by professional contractors for a fraction of the cost of replacing kitchen cabinets. Many do-it-yourself enthusiasts find that installing veneer panels is the easiest method of resurfacing them. The panels come in a wide range of colors and faux wood finishes and are attached to existing cabinets with special adhesives.

Hardware and Knobs

New cabinet hardware, hinges and knobs will not only update kitchen cabinets, but can extend the life of them, too. Hinges should be removed before starting the project and if they are going to be reused on the resurfaced cabinets, cleaned thoroughly. New knobs or handles can help dictate the style of kitchen on newly resurfaced cabinets. Antique bronze knobs and pulls can be used for a classical approach, while tinted or painted pulls offer color coordination for a more modern kitchen.