Everyday life and kitchen use can take a toll on cabinets. Over time, scratches and dents can become more noticeable and lead to other problems like water damage.
Refinishing your cabinets is a cost-effective way to make them look new again. However, proper preparation is key to a smooth finish. Contact Cabinet Refinishing San Jose CA for more information.
Sanding
A quick look at any kitchen makeover show will likely depict a flurry of activity: doors coming off hinges, sanding sponges buzzing like lightsabers, and a final reveal that leaves you wondering, “How’d they do that?” Thorough cleaning and sanding are a key part of the transformation process. Skipping this step will result in an uneven finish and paint that chips within a few months.
The main reason to sand is to rough up the existing surface and create an even canvas for painting. This helps ensure that the primer or paint will adhere to the surface, and will prevent the new layer from peeling and chipping. A light sanding with 120- or 150-grit paper will also help smooth out nicks and scratches. Lastly, sanding prepares the surface for paint and will help your cabinet paint job last longer.
When sanding cabinets, be sure to wear a dust mask and work in a well-ventilated area. This is one of the most messy parts of a cabinet repainting project, and the resulting dust can be irritating to your lungs. If possible, lay down tarps or old sheets to catch the dust as you sand. If not, be sure to clear away the dust with a tack cloth or vacuum.
If your cabinets are in good shape and don’t have any nicks or chips, you may be able to skip the sanding step and move straight on to priming. However, it’s best to err on the side of caution and sand everything just to be safe.
Sanding isn’t the most fun part of a cabinet painting project, but it’s an essential one. By taking your time and following the proper steps, you’ll be able to achieve a professional-quality result that will stand the test of time. If you don’t have the time or patience for this detailed task, hiring a professional is always a great option. The team at Foothills Painting are experts when it comes to preparing and painting cabinets, and will deliver flawless results that will last for years. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to request a quote!
Vacuuming
Vacuuming isn’t the only way to clean cabinets before refinishing them. You can use a household cleaner that’s safe for wood and wipe down the cabinet doors and frames with a soft sponge. This will help to remove oils, fingerprints and other residues that are stuck in the finish. This step is important because it will reveal any problem areas that need to be sanded and it can make the difference between a sticky mess that’s impossible to get off, and a smooth finish with long-lasting appeal. Pro Tip: Use a degreasing kitchen cleaner like Murphy Oil Soap and test the cleaner in an inconspicuous spot before applying it to the entire cabinet surface.
Baking Soda
Many homeowners reach for household cleaners like white vinegar or baking soda when attempting to clean their cabinets. While these cleaning products can be effective, they are also highly corrosive to wood or laminate and may strip the sheen off your painted cabinets.
Instead, a few drops of gentle dish soap in warm water should be enough to keep your kitchen cabinets looking great and free of grease and grime.
For more stubborn stains, combine baking soda with water until it forms a paste. Apply this to the stain and scrub gently in a circular motion. Rinse and dry your cabinet surfaces as you go. When it comes to heavy-duty greasy build-up, try a stronger solution such as Krud Kutter Original (safe on most surfaces), Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner, or Zep Heavy-Duty Citrus Degreaser. Always test any cleaners in an inconspicuous area before use.
Other common household items can be used for a variety of purposes when it comes to cleaning your cabinetry and other parts of your home. Vinegar, for example, is a natural, non-toxic degreaser that can also be mixed with water to create a powerful cleaning solution for countertops, floors, and appliances.
Another natural alternative to harsh cleaners is a combination of baking soda and castile soap. Castile soap is made with plant-based ingredients and is packaged in 35% post-consumer recycled plastic. Baking soda, on the other hand, has a variety of uses beyond making cookies rise in the oven. It is particularly effective at absorbing odors, especially in the refrigerator, and can be sprinkled or placed in a sachet to deodorize carpets and other upholstered furniture.
Vinegar
Using vinegar for cleaning cabinets can be damaging to the surface of the wood, especially if it’s waxed. Vinegar is made during a fermentation process that produces acetic acid, which can eat through various materials, including the coatings on some kinds of cabinetry.
For the most part, though, a small amount of vinegar should be fine to use as a cleaning agent for kitchen cabinets. However, you need to be extremely careful about how much and how often you apply it. Overuse of vinegar can actually erode the wax coating on your cabinetry and cause permanent damage.
When diluted, vinegar is an effective cleaner for wood cabinets. But even when diluted, it’s still quite acidic and should be used sparingly on painted cabinets to avoid stripping the paint or damaging the wood underneath.
It’s also important to note that the acid in vinegar can discolor certain types of wood, especially if it’s bare or unfinished. Some examples include cherry, maple and oak.
Aside from vinegar, a wide variety of commercial products can be used to clean kitchen cabinets. Many of these products, however, contain high levels of alkaline or acids that are corrosive to both finished and raw wood surfaces. For example, alkaline cleaners such as household cleaners or tub and tile cleaners can leave dark stains on the surface of wood, while acidic cleaners like vinegar and lemon juice can cause warping in laminate surfaces.
Regardless of the material that your cabinetry is made from, it’s important to clean your cabinets with a gentle cleaner to keep them looking fresh. Avoid harsh, abrasive cleaners like steel wool or scouring pads. These can scratch the surface of your cabinets, removing sheen and causing splinters that are difficult to remove during refinishing.
Instead, you should focus on using gentle, non-abrasive cleaners such as mild soap and water. If you need to scrub, a plastic scraper is ideal for stubborn gunk and rubbing alcohol works well on sticky tape or label residue. And make sure to use a soft cloth or sponge instead of one that has a hard side, as this could cause scratches. Also, don’t allow your cabinets to remain wet for prolonged periods of time, as this can lead to mold or mildew and also cause warping in wood or laminate.