How to Prepare to Refinish Kitchen Cabinets

Prep work to refinish kitchen cabinets can take more than many homeowners realize. Once they’ve committed to the project, they may be surprised to find out how much they need to do just to get ready to refinish the cabinets, and skipping any steps can ruin the look of the cabinets. Some of the things that need to be done to prepare to refinish kitchen cabinets include the following.

Clean and Protect the Workspace

The entire kitchen is going to become the workspace for the next few days, so it’s a good idea to clean everything and make sure it’s covered. No one wants to get paint on their gorgeous tile floors or granite countertops, so everything needs to be covered. If the cabinet doors will be drying in the garage to keep them out of the way, it’s a good idea to clean and protect the garage, too.

Remove All Doors and Hardware

All doors and hardware need to be removed from the cabinets before any work can begin. Failing to do this can make it more difficult to paint or stain everything. Plus, it’s going to be easy to see that the hardware was painted over, which detracts from the overall look of the cabinets. Be sure to organize and label all screws and other hardware so the doors are easy to put back on again.

Clean the Surfaces Thoroughly

The cabinets and doors all need to be cleaned thoroughly before any work can begin. It’s recommended to use a quality degreaser to remove the buildup of grease that can occur over time in the kitchen. If this step is skipped, it may be harder to paint or stain the surfaces. If they’re going to be sanded before painting or staining, it’s going to take more sandpaper as it gets covered in the grease being removed.

Repair Any Damage to the Cabinets

Damage to the cabinets or doors should be fixed now, before the refinishing is done, to help hide the repairs. It is a good idea to use wood filler designed to be painted or stained, so it will be easy to cover later on. Use wood glue if any parts need to be glued back on to ensure they’re going to stay in place once the refinishing is done.

Get the Necessary Tools and Paint or Stain

It’s also necessary to gather any tools that may be needed, as well as the paint or stain that will be used for the cabinets. Be sure to also obtain personal protective equipment to make sure everyone is safe while the cabinets are being painted or stained.

Refinishing kitchen cabinets takes a lot of work, including a ton of prep before the painting or staining begins. Instead of going through all of the steps here, plus the refinishing, drying, and putting everything back together, it may be a good idea to let a professional tackle the job. Schedule a consultation with a kitchen refinishing specialist now to learn more about how they can help you save time and money on your project.