What is the easiest & best way to revitalize cabinets that are very dull & contain some imperfections?

Question

The cabinets are in the kitchen & bathroom. They are a light, honey-colored oak & are dry & cheap-looking with some superficial nicks & scratches. I want them to be restored & have a luster but not be too shiny. I would like for the honey color to be a little richer in tone & the yellow parts of the wood to be darker. Sanding, staining, glazing, painting?? I really don't know what to do or how to do it, but I need to do it on my own in order to save money. I would appreciate all responses - Thanks!

Answer 1

OK here it goes. remove the doors from cabs. will make it ezer to work on @ this point think about weather or not u want to save hard ware . if no them get new and see if the wholes line up. if not you will need to fill them with a stain able filler but wait till u have striped and sanded them then you will have to sand your filler @ that point.. OK now i like to use stripez from Sherwin's . this stuff gets hot and messy if you get some on your self it washes with water . now for the cabs. them selves . the face of the cabs. is ez being it is so small u may consider just cleaning them and the sides of cabs. with something like old English furniture polish and u may find this to your liking on the doors as well check it out before u strip them it comes in different colors. sounds like the finish u r looking for is a low luster. also if u do strip and finish door not doing the back will save allot of time but u will have to cover them.before u put on the poly finish you should seal with a sanding sealer . sand when dry usually about 24 hr. between each coat . when u brush your poly urethane put a little penatral in it ask them at Sherwin and a little paint thinners .that will help in the use of the material and it will lay out allot better. it dose how ever slow down the drying time . remember 2 thin coats are better than 1. hope this helped u. o and sorry not much of a typer

Answer 2

You can do it. You can either order new doors and replace the old ones which is the easiest thing to do or take off the doors and refinish them. Remove the hardware, handles, etc. Sand the doors good to remove all the old finish. Choose a stain which will determine the color of the wood and rub that in. This takes alot of elbow grease. then apply a finish, a vanish or oil, etc. Talk with your hardware guy about the final finish to determine what you really want. Sometime you can buy the stain and varnish in one product, but I think it is best to make two separate applications. Let everything dry. Reattach the doors and hardware then you are done.
There is always the simpler idea of just painting the cabinets. If you could find a color you like. Good luck.

Answer 3

If the wood is a poor quality the best thing to do is cover it up i would choose a nice colour and paint them - sand them first fill any holes prime them and then paint them.

Answer 4

i'm the ice right away from the freezer. I help in making many drinks cool drinks, yet no person desires to drink me down, they simply each so often bite me up. Such is the attitude of the Agnostic. i desire this helps.