Letting cabinets air dry after rinsing them can damage or bubble the finish. Instead, use a soft cloth to dry all damp surfaces and buff them to a shine. Painting or staining cabinets done professionally often does require assistance from professionals.
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The first requirement for a durable paint job is that every coat of paint bond well to the previous layer. If it does, you should strip off the original finish before painting. Clean and sand the cabinets as shown in Photo 5 to ensure a good bond to the original finish. We chose shellac as a primer for its ability to cling tenaciously to most finishes. If you use products other than what we’re recommending, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and make sure they’re compatible with each other.
Line up the edges of the frames and clamp them together firmly and securely. Measure down to the floor from the line to find your highest point. Use your ruler or tape measure and measure straight down from the reference line down to the floor.
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How to Refinish Kitchen Cabinets
But ultimately, you need to choose kitchen cabinets for the available kitchen space, style, and your needs—not the reverse. With so many available styles and options, it’s easy to get carried away with kitchen cabinets.
Use a clean, dry cloth to dab the paste onto the dirty spots. Let the paste sit for a few minutes, and then wipe it away with a damp cloth, gently rubbing until the grunge is gone. Wipe the spot again with a water-dampened cloth, and then dry with your microfiber cloth or soft rag.
Mark a level reference line about 48 inches off the floor. Take a ruler or tape measure and measure the distance from the floor to the center of your wall. Mark an even line all across the wall with a pencil, marker, or chalk.
After that, you should buy the kitchen cabinets early to account for order completion and shipping times. Budget kitchen cabinets built on engineered wood boxes may last five to seven years.
If the industrial style is your aesthetic of choice and you’re looking for something truly custom, head to Amuneal. There, you’ll find sleek, custom cabinets made with plenty of metal details. The brand—a family business—has an interesting history, too, since it started as a magnetic shielding supplier in 1965. They work on furniture and the fabrication of everything from stairs to, of course, kitchens and bars. Most kitchen cabinets have either a partial or full door overlay because installation is easier and the cabinets are better able to respond to long-term changes in shape.
A painting company or general contractor can help you refinish your cabinets if you feel that the project is beyond your skill-set. Mix trisodium phosphate or a phosphate-free TSP substitute in warm water.