Maybe you are a cabinet lover and what to stain wood cabinets. Do you know how to stain wood cabinets?
The wood regains its former brilliance after staining. Utilizing a polyurethane top coat and stain in combination can save time by avoiding the need to totally sand off the previous layer. The majority of kitchens may be finished in a matter of days by staining cabinets, which is much simpler than painting or repainting cabinets.
Table of Contents
Prior to starting
It is not essential to completely sand off the stain and surface finish for previously stained cabinets that will be stained in the same color family or darker. The stain product will blend in perfectly with your existing stain. Just be sure to sand the top coating down far enough to create a rough finish. This will improve the stain product’s ability to adhere to the surface.
To get to the bare wood in painted cabinets, all paint must be removed. To remove the paint, use a scraper, steel brush, and sandpaper combined with a liquid paint stripper. Remove all paint immediately. Any leftover paint will shed the stain’s substance and become visible.
How to Stain Wood Cabinets?
Step 1: Choose a Stain
Select the stain finish. You must know how you want your cabinets to turn out before you begin. The stain you use, particularly in the kitchen, has an impact on how a room feels. Consider a light stain to open up a space and make it appear larger. A darker stain will make a larger kitchen or room feel cozier by adding warmth to it. Additionally, consider the type of wood used to create your cabinets. The chosen stain color should go well with the wood. Certain types of wood respond better to some stains than others. Both the wood’s natural color and the size of its pores must be taken into account. Because of their natural appearance, certain types of wood, like mahogany, cherry, and rosewood, are rarely stained. Usually, a clear coat suffices to protect them. Since maple wood is less porous than other types of wood, it is more difficult to stain. Consult a staff member at your neighborhood True Value hardware store for assistance in making a decision.
Step 2: Take Away Hardware, Clean Surfaces, and Open Doors and Drawers
Using a screwdriver, remove the hinges, handles, knobs, closures, and other hardware on the cabinet doors, drawers, and other furniture. You don’t need to take the hinges off if you plan to stain your cabinets while the doors are still attached. Use painter’s tape to mask them. But keep in mind that it can be simpler to stain the parts without them.
Make sure to cover any surfaces in your kitchen or workspace with drop cloths or lots of newspaper to protect the floors, countertops, and other surfaces. Keep track of the hardware and which drawer or door it belongs to as well.
Step 3: Remove the previous finish
Sand off the current finish to remove it. Sand the wood’s flaws out and the previous finish off with medium- or low-grit sandpaper. Work circumspectly around curved and ornamental elements. Sand all the time against the grain of the wood. Any sanding swirls will be seen after staining.
Another and frequently simpler option is the use of chemical strippers. Apply the solution uniformly all over the surface with a medium-sized paintbrush. Let it soak for 20 to 30 minutes, then use a plastic scraper or a putty knife with a smooth, round edge to remove the old finish. Be careful not to damage the surface with the scraper since it can be delicate. Allow the item to thoroughly dry. Check the manufacturer’s instructions before using as the majority of chemical strippers require water to be added.
Step 4: Apply sanding sealer
Similar to priming the wood, apply a sanding sealer or pre-stain wood conditioner. The sealer aids in uniform stain absorption by the wood. To cut down on the number of finish coatings required, it can also be applied after staining. Apply two light applications with a small paintbrush after properly shaking the sealer container. Avoid letting the sealer pool or fill in ornamental grooves. Any extra discoloration should be removed with a fresh cloth. Before softly sanding in the direction of the grain with medium-grit sandpaper, allow the sealant to dry fully. With a fresh cloth, clean the wood once again.
Step 5: Starting Staining
Use a cloth or medium-sized paintbrush to apply the stain, and then wait for it to soak into the wood. Apply one application for a light stain and more for a darker one. With a clean cloth, remove any remaining stain, then let the item air dry fully. Between coats, lightly sand with a fine-grit sandpaper.
Step 6: Complete It
Make sure you’re satisfied with the wood’s color once the staining is finished and the surfaces have dried. Apply a clear varnish or light polyurethane sealer to the wood with a small- or medium-sized paintbrush to add an additional layer of protection and a long-lasting sheen. For application advice and drying durations, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.
After the stain and finish have fully dried, reinstall the cabinet doors, drawers, and their hardware.
Congratulations! With a little elbow grease and a few coats of stain, you can have “new” cabinets without spending a fortune.
Considerations for Safety
Use breathing protection and work in an area with good ventilation. If at all possible, transport the removed cabinet doors and drawers to a secure outdoor location. Utilize fans and open windows indoors to let fresh air in. Avoid blowing air into the space because this could lead to dust settling on the completed surfaces.
Tips for You When Stain Wood Cabinets
- Put the hardware in plastic bags if you intend to reuse it. Use a bag for each piece of hardware and the screws that go with it. Use an erasable marker to mark the spot on the bag’s front.
- Purchase mineral spirits, not mineral oil, and make sure to do so.
- If desired, you can use a stain enhancer now to help the wood’s grain absorb the color uniformly.
- Use only top-notch brushes. Brushes of lower quality may leave bristles on the work surface. It is challenging to get rid of the stray bristles because the stain treatment is tacky.
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