Avoid replacing kitchen cabinets – refinish them yourself to save money

If you’re thinking of remodeling your kitchen, an easy and inexpensive way to do the job yourself is to start with the cabinets. Replacing kitchen cabinets is an expensive part of remodeling, however, restoring them will save you a great deal of money.

Shopping is the place to start. You should get everything you need in one visit to the home improvement store, and it gives you the opportunity to browse through store displays to decide on the style you like best. You’ll need to purchase a sanding block, both coarse and extra-fine sandpaper, paint remover if you’re going to have to remove a lot of coats, paint, and the pulls. Purchase a drawer pull for each cabinet and drawer.

Remove drawers and all cabinet fronts from their hinges. You can do the project while they are in place, however it will be messy and could damage appliances or countertops. They are much easier to do a complete job if they are removed.

You should choose a place with good ventilation, such as outdoors or in a garage. Always wear eye protection while sanding. Completely sand each piece with the heavy paper taking care to pierce the wood.

After sanding all parts completely, wipe them down with a clean, damp cloth. This is to remove dust and dirt before painting. There will be a more durable and long-lasting finish if you use oil-based paint. Latex can be used, but remember to use a sealant. Gently brush the paint onto each piece being careful to avoid streaks and lines from the brush. Let dry completely and apply a second coat of paint.

Use extra fine sandpaper to sand down the paint between coats. Sanding removes brush lines and will create a smooth finish. If latex was used, apply the sealer in two coats, allowing to dry between coats. Using a sealer over latex paint will give it more durability and make the cabinets easier to clean.

When the paint and caulking have completely dried, you’ll need to measure each cabinet to determine where you want to put the handles. Place each knob on kitchen cabinets in the same area to avoid mismatched pulls after hanging in place. If you put on your handles or knobs and decide you don’t like the way they look, it’s easy to replace them with a different style.