San Jose Cabinet Refinishing is a great way to update your kitchen without the cost of a full renovation. It’s also a greener option, as it conserves materials by keeping your existing cabinets intact.
However, it’s important to understand the differences between refacing and refinishing before you start. A reface is more extensive than a refinish, and it can take significantly longer.
Cabinet refinishing offers homeowners and commercial kitchen owners a cost-effective way to refresh the look of their cabinets without replacing them. The process involves carefully removing the cabinet doors and fronts, chemically stripping the existing finish, repairing any imperfections, and repainting or re-staining them with a fresh coat of paint or stain.
This is a project that requires a good deal of time and patience. The surfaces will need to be sanded and wiped down before the refinishing begins. It is important to protect adjacent areas of your kitchen, such as countertops and appliances from dust and drips.
You should also take the time to remove and label any hardware before beginning the refinishing process. This will make it much easier to replace and reinstall the cabinet hardware once the project is complete. You will want to avoid using harsh chemicals to clean your cabinets during the refinishing process, as this can cause damage or discoloration. It is best to use gentle cleaning products that are free of bleach, ammonia, and abrasives. If you are unsure about the suitability of a cleaning product, test it on an inconspicuous area of your cabinet to determine if it will harm the new finish.
Once the surface is sanded, it must be thoroughly wiped down to remove any dirt and debris that may be present. A quality wood putty or filler should be used to patch any holes or imperfections that are found. The cabinet surface should then be sanded again with a medium-grit sanding sponge or random orbital sander to create an even profile that will better help the primer adhere. The sanding will likely leave behind a large amount of dust. It is important to use a shop vacuum or tack cloth to remove the majority of this dust before continuing with the refinishing.
Before painting, it is a good idea to test a small area of the cabinet for color and finish. This will help you to decide if you are happy with the results and to ensure that the color you choose will match well with your kitchen.
Removal of Hardware
When it’s time to change the knobs, pulls, hinges and catches on your cabinets, you’ll need to remove them from the cabinet doors and drawer fronts. Use a screwdriver to loosen the screws and then gently pull them out, keeping them in a safe place so that they can be reinstalled later on. If the old hardware is glued on, you’ll need to sand or scrape away any excess glue from the surface of the wood before you can remove it.
Once you’ve removed the hardware, wipe down the cabinet surfaces with a cleaner formulated for wood cabinets. This will remove any dirt, dust and grime that has accumulated over time. If there is a particularly tough or sticky residue, you can scrub it with steel wool or a soft cloth and then wash the area again. Once the cabinet surfaces are clean, let them dry completely before moving on to the next step.
If you’re reusing the existing hardware, make sure that you have the right size screw to hold it in place. It’s easy to strip the existing screws or damage the threads of the hardware while trying to screw it back in, and this can leave you with a piece of hardware that doesn’t work well or is impossible to use. Before reinstalling the new hardware, carefully measure the holes in the door or drawer front where the old hardware was attached and then find the correct screw size for the new hardware.
It’s also important to note that while refinishing can give your cabinets a facelift, it won’t completely transform their appearance or change their functionality as much as refacing will. Refacing involves replacing the cabinet boxes, cabinet doors and drawer faces, as well as the cabinet frames, and can be done with a wide variety of materials, including painted solid-wood cabinets, laminate veneers or custom panels.
If you’re interested in updating the look of your cabinets with a fresh coat of paint, contact N-Hance to learn more about our cabinet refinishing services. We have more than 500 locations nationwide and can help you connect with a local franchise to get started!
Cleaning
Cabinet refinishing isn’t a do-it-yourself project, and specialized equipment is needed to remove old paint or stain. Our professionals will take the time to assess the condition of your cabinets and determine if they’re ready for a makeover. During this stage, they’ll also discuss your desired look and budget to determine the best approach for your needs.
Before refinishing, it’s important that your wood cabinet surfaces are thoroughly cleaned to get rid of any dirt, grease, or grime that has built up over time. We use a degreaser solution that’s safe for wood cabinetry and is gentle enough to clean the surface without damaging it. This solution is sprayed onto the cabinetry and then scrubbed with a soft brush or sponge. The cabinets are then rinsed with clean water and allowed to dry completely before moving on to the next step.
After cleaning, the cabinets are lightly sanded to prepare them for painting. This process helps to create a smooth surface that’s free of imperfections like scratches, gouges, and dents. It also improves the adhesion of the primer and paint, which helps to ensure a high-quality finish that lasts.
During the sanding process, it’s important to wear a dust mask to protect your lungs from the coarse wood particles. Our technicians will also cover your countertops, appliances, and floors to minimize mess and protect them from sanding residue or paint splatters.
Once your cabinets are sanded and completely dry, they’re ready for new coats of paint or clear polyurethane. Our professionals will apply 2 or more coats, letting each one dry completely between applications. This will help the finish last longer and resist moisture damage.
Our professional furniture painters will use a low-odor, water-based paint that’s safe for cabinetry and won’t chip or peel over time. They’ll also apply a clear coat to seal the cabinets and prevent them from warping or becoming brittle. During this step, they’ll also touch-up any areas that need it (like scratches, nicks, and gouges). The finished result is beautiful, long-lasting cabinets that will stand the test of time.
Inspection
Cabinet refinishing can dramatically alter your kitchen’s appearance and save you the time, expense and hassle of an entire remodel. But in order to maintain the beauty of your newly refinished cabinets, proper care is necessary. By implementing some simple cleaning tips, avoiding harsh chemicals and conducting regular inspections, you can ensure that your cabinets continue to enhance the look of your kitchen for years to come.
The inspection process should start before the actual refinishing begins. You will want to make sure that all surfaces have been cleaned thoroughly and that no signs of moisture damage are present. It is also important to verify that the new paint or stain adheres to the surface. Finally, check for any imperfections such as chipping, scuffing or cracking that could result in an uneven finish.
Once the surface has been inspected and properly prepared, it is important to take the time to inspect the completed work. Make sure that all of the doors are aligned correctly and that there are no vertical gaps between them and against wall surfaces. You may need to fill in these gaps with caulk if necessary. Also, check that the toe kick (thin, flat molding used at the bottom of base cabinets) is flush with the floor and caulked if needed.
It is also important to check that the new color matches the existing paint on your walls and trim. This is especially important if you plan to use the same color throughout the entire room. Finally, if you are planning to install Rev-A-Shelf or other cabinet accessories, it is a good idea to measure and mark the cabinets so that the new hardware can be cut to the correct length.
Ultimately, the decision to reface or replace your cabinets will depend on your goals for the kitchen. If you are satisfied with the layout of your cabinets and simply want a change in style, refinishing may be the best option for you. However, if you are looking to change the layout of your cabinets or have extensive damage that can’t be reasonably repaired, replacement is likely the better option.