DIY Cabinet Refinishing
- 1). Sand the cabinets with a palm sander, stocked with 180-grit sandpaper. Sand along with the wood grain until the finish appears dull.
- 2). Wipe sawdust from the sanded cabinets, using sticky tack cloths.
- 3). Cover countertops with plastic drop cloths and painter's tape. Cover the floor with plastic drop cloths. Lay fabric drop cloths on top of the plastic ones.
- 4). Coat the cabinets with an oil-based stain, using a three- to four-inch oil paintbrush. Allow two hours of dry time. Add another coat of stain if you desire darker results.
- 5). Wash your paintbrush with mineral spirits.
- 6). Allow the stain to dry for four hours.
- 7). Coat the stained cabinets with varnish or a polyurethane wood sealer, using the clean brush. Skip this step if you'd like the cabinets to remain unvarnished.