How to Finish Kitchen Cabinets: Unlock the Secret

Do you desire to transform your outdated, oily, and stained kitchen into a classy one? Is “How to Finish Kitchen Cabinets” at the top of your search list nowadays? Come this way. This article is the perfect spot to deliver quality information regarding finishing kitchen cabinets. 

The kitchen is not just a room. It is rather a place where memories are created. Here, fun, love, friends, and family come together leading to joy and laughter. Therefore, recreating your dirty, grimy, and greasy kitchen cabinets gives a feeling of relaxation that seems exceptional and elegant too.

Planning is something compulsory in any renovation, redesigning, or finishing homey tasks. From the selection of loveable colors to the maintenance of the cabinets, can easily be approached while following the step-by-step guide below.

Now, you can clear your queries related to finishing kitchen cabinets and get answers in simple and easy ways for how to finish kitchen cabinets. Explore the mentioned genuine guidelines ideas to enhance your kitchen look.

Materials required to Finish Kitchen Cabinets:

When you are on the way to finding an appropriate strategy to give your kitchen cabinets a new and glossy look, keeping your budget and the weather conditions in view will be the first and foremost thing. Then comes the next step which is the availability of necessary materials or apparatus. 

Here are the items you should have while finishing your white-kitchen cabinets. You can also get help from professionals. 

 

High-quality primers for smooth painting outlook. Glossy textured paints for a brilliant appearance. Different grit sandpaper for betterment among coats. Tack fabric to clear dust that remains after working. Objects, and supplies for deep cleaning i.e., detergents, trisodium phosphate, etc. Paint brushes with different sizes and shapes to cover the front and corners of cabinets. Rollers and adhesive to make paint surface smooth and to attach borders on cabinets respectively. Hardware e.g., screwdrivers, handles, etc. to tighten bolts and other related items. Protection accessories like gloves, glasses, and masks to stay protected from dust, paint splits, etc.

 

How to Finish Kitchen Cabinets with 8 step-by-step guides

Transforming your kitchen look is not hard or easy but it is, in fact, the visual planning behind it that gives you what you desire. Therefore, after gathering the necessary material to finish kitchen cabinets, follow these 8 steps below that give you authentic directions to make the process smooth. 

8 Steps to Finish Your Kitchen Cabinets

Step:1

Detach Cabinets Doors: 

Before starting to finish your kitchen cabinets, remove the cabinet doors, and drawers using screwdrivers. Then detach hardware like handles, and hinges and store it in a plastic bag or container. Make sure to mark the previous location of the cabinets to attach them to their actual position after finishing.

Step:2

Clean the Cabinets: 

Cleaning is always essential for adding value, and it becomes crucial in finishing kitchen cabinets. To Clean your kitchen cabinets, use lenient detergents, mix them with water, and clean the shelves thoroughly. With the help of a sponge or light cloth, remove grease, and dirt, for a smooth outlook. Give time for complete dryness after cleaning. 

Step: 3

Sanding: 

To get rid of the old finish of cabinets. Use sandpaper as per requirement (medium-grit) and apply a smooth layer. You can use soft fabric to remove extra dirt, and debris to help you maintain the original texture of the cabinets. 

Step:4

Apply Primers

In modern days, the use of primers before painting is essential. The use of primers gives a smooth texture and repairs wooden cracks. You need to apply a thick layer of primer using rollers. The use of paintbrushes is ok too. As per the company instructions, dry the primer thoroughly.

Step:5

Again Sanding for More Efficient Results: 

Once the primer is completely dry, you can again sand the corners for more efficient results. Using a vacuum cloth to remove or prevent dust and grime is better.

Step:6

Paint the cabinets:

The most crucial step of cabinet finishing is the selection of a paint that better suits your place and requirements. You can use your chosen color but it is better to get help from the experts as different companies nowadays describe modern colors that are more effective. Now,  paint the cabinets with the appropriate sizes of brushes. Apply a single coating first and wait for complete dryness before doing the one.

Step:7

Refix cabinet doors:

Now this is the time to refix cabinet doors using the required tools. Make sure to attach the cabinets to their previous locations. Consider precautions too when installing these doors for your and your cabinet’s safety.

Step:8

Hardware Update and Final Look:

Buy new handles and hinges if your budget allows you to do so. If it is not so, reattach the previous ones but don’t forget to clean them before refixing them. The final look includes the implementation of any artificial or natural flowers or smooth stickers for an outstanding look in your kitchen.

Best Finishing Tips for Kitchen Cabinets: What you need to know

The above portion of the article contains the details on how to finish your kitchen cabinets Here, in this section, you will attain general information about what you need to know about cabinet finishing. You may call these information precautions or essential tips for finishing your kitchen cabinets.

You cannot finish your cabinets off and on,  so whatever products you select it should be long-lasting. Use smooth brushes to apply paint, primers, foam rollers, etc. Don’t compromise on the cleansing process as it is vital to clear the dirt from cabinets. Use mild detergents with pleasant odors having the ability to perform deep cleaning. Use a meter rod to mark every item as it will help you when you reattach the doors of cabinets. Relax and give time to primer, and paints for entire dryness as urgency may lead to mistakes. To finish your kitchen cabinets like a pro, you can hire the services of an expert. Finally, maintenance of the kitchen cabinets after the finishing task is mandatory as it will keep the finishing last for a long.

Choosing Paint Finish or Stain Finish for Your Project: 

While finishing your kitchen cabinets, you can either choose paint finish or stain finish. The selection of paint or stain finishes depends upon a few factors and definitely has pros and cons.

Paint finish:

Pros:	Cons:
For decorative kitchens, paint finishes are a better choice as they offer variety in colors and give smoothness to adding beauty to the kitchen cabinets.	A high-quality layer of paint has a disadvantage in that it covers the natural wooden look of cabinets.
Paint finish is the modern way of designing which has cleaning properties and versatility factor in it.	Secondly, it demands more time to settle which may cause problems in unusual climatic conditions.

Stain Finishes:

Pros:	Cons:
It is a great item to retain the natural look of wood with an appealing outlook.	Stain finishes don’t have a variety of colors which is a weak point.
Stain finishes have more durability and work more efficiently to fill scratches than paints.	Moreover, for the uniform look, it always demands high-quality wood and doesn’t leave perfection as paint does.

FAQs

1. What materials do I need to finish kitchen cabinets?

When finishing kitchen cabinets, you should have screwdrivers, primers, paints, brushes, rollers, mild detergents, tack clothes, painter’s tape, sandpapers, wood fillers, etc.

2. What are the basic steps to finish kitchen cabinets?
The basic steps to finish kitchen cabinets include removing the cabinet door, and hardware from the position and then coming to the cleaning process. Apply primers and paints. Sand the cabinets to remove stains and dirt. Finally,  reattach and enjoy your new kitchen look.

3. How many coats of finish should be applied to finish kitchen cabinets?
The instruction reveals that one coat of primer and two coats of paint or stain is enough to give a smooth appearance to kitchen cabinet doors. For extra durability, you may add a coating of top coat too.

4. How long does it take for the finish to dry on kitchen cabinets?
Give time for primer or paint to dry completely. Mostly it takes 4 to 6 hours but for more smooth and light outcomes, you may leave the kitchen cabinet doors for 24 hours before proceeding to further steps.

5. Is it better to hire a professional or do it myself when finishing kitchen cabinets?
It all depends upon you. If you have experience and know how to finish kitchen cabinets, you better do it yourself. On the other hand, if you have no experience and your budget permits you to hire professionals then go ahead. 

Conclusion

Maintaining the kitchen yearly or monthly is crucial for an appealing outlook of the kitchen. However, if you are initiating your journey towards knowing how to finish kitchen cabinets comprehend the proper working principles first. Your budget, time, and weather conditions matter a lot in the process of finishing the kitchen cabinets. Hence, you need to start the actual process after appropriate planning.

Furthermore, bring in the necessary tools, and equipment that help in transforming your kitchen outdated cabinets into new modern ones.

Understand the precautions and general proficient guide related to cabinet finishing and select wisely whether you want a satin or paint finish. For this, you will research thoroughly its pros and cons for further process. Bring comfort for yourself and your family by installing cabinets with modernized decoration ideas.