can you restain cabinets lighter

How to restain kitchen cabinets lighter?

Things to Do:

• Remove all cabinet accessories such as drawers, hinges, handles, and shelving.
• Sand the cabinets using a sanding block or electric sander.
• Apply wood conditioner to ensure even stain darkness.
• Stain the cabinets using a rag or cloth.
• Use a polyurethane finish to protect the finish.

How to restain kitchen cabinets a darker color?

How to Restain Kitchen Cabinets From a Dark Stain to a Lighter Color

• Preparing Cabinets to Stain. Before you begin to restain kitchen cabinets, put a few things in place and gather tools to ensure that the process goes smoothly.
• Remove Cabinets and Drawers. Start with the cabinet doors above the countertops and attached to the walls. ...
• Sanding Cabinets Before Restaining. ...
• Restaining Kitchen Cabinets. ...

How much would it cost to restain kitchen cabinets?

Written by HomeAdvisor. Refinishing a set of cabinets costs $2,950 on average, with a median range from $1,796 and $4,108, which is far less costly than the price to install brand-new cabinets. You’ll pay between $4 to $25 per square foot, which includes labor and materials for staining, lacquering, varnishing, painting, shellacking, or glazing.

How to stain cabinets without sanding?

Staining cabinets without sanding is possible and quite easy too. You can mainly follow 2 methods to stain your cabinets without sanding. The first method you may try is the method of using a paint stripper. If not, then you may also use another method. That is, staining cabinets using a gel stain.

How do you lighten dark stained cabinets?

White washing is simply mixing white paint and water to lighten wood. The more paint you add to your mixture, the less opaque the finished look will be. So, if you're looking to just lighten your wood without covering the wood grain, then use mostly water with a few drops of paint.

Can you paint dark cabinets lighter?

But, if your kitchen's dark cabinetry makes you feel like there are no windows in the room (even when there are!), painting them lighter can make all the difference. Case in point: Break-Through by PPG Paints.

How do you change the color of stained wood cabinets?

Apply stain with a cloth or medium-sized paintbrush and allow it to penetrate into the wood. Coat once for a light stain or apply additional coats for a darker shade. Wipe off excess stain with a clean cloth and allow the piece to dry completely. Lightly sand between coats using fine-grit sandpaper.

Can you Restain cabinets that are already stained?

You can refinish old stained cabinets to hide surface imperfections, restore color and provide a protective finish. Cabinetry that's in good condition -- sturdy and free from major damage -- can be easily refreshed with new stain or paint.

Can I change the stain on my cabinets?

It is possible to restain your kitchen cabinets from a dark stain to a lighter color. A dingy kitchen can be quickly brightened and overhauled by simply changing up the cabinets. Doors that are stained a dark, outdated shade can be lightened up by stripping off the old finish and applying the new, light-hued stain.

Can you stain brown cabinets white?

When staining white, the wood must be completely clean. The Creativity Exchange explains that you should prepare a 50/50 mix of denatured alcohol and water. Use that with the fine-grit sanding sponge to gently remove all the dirt and oils from the wood and prepare the surface to receive the stain.

Can you Restain oak cabinets lighter?

You can change the color of your stained oak cabinets, but it will require time and effort. Stain sinks into wood pores under a sealed topcoat of lacquer. The only way to properly lighten the wood is to remove the lacquer, sand off the dark stain and replace it with a lighter color of stain.

What color of cabinets are in style 2020?

One of the most popular kitchen cabinet colors for 2020 will be light natural wood (although this style is typically a stain, not a “color” so to speak). Cabinet doors with natural graining patterns will take dominance over traditional painted cabinets.

How can I change the color of my kitchen cabinets without sanding?

How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets with ZERO Sanding Required:Wash down the cabinets with a TSP substitute to remove any grime, grease, or finger oils.Scrub down the cabinets further with Liquid Sander/Deglosser.Prime all the lower cabinets with two thin coats of primer. ... Paint the lower cabinets.More items...•

Can you stain a dark wood lighter?

Can You Stain Wood Lighter? Yes, you stain dark wood to be lighter. But because lightening covers the wood's grain and natural color, it's unsuitable for fine woods. You will not lighten the color of a dark stain if you apply a light color of stain over it.

How do you lighten stained wood?

If the wood is too dark, soak a clean cloth in turpentine or mineral spirits and rub the wood firmly and evenly along the grain. This will lighten the stain but not remove it.

Do you have to remove old stain before restaining?

Depending on your project, you will not need to remove old stain before restaining. If you want to darken the stain on your wood project, then removing the existing stain is not necessary! However, if you want to lighten the stain, then you will need to strip and remove the existing stain on your project.

Can glazed cabinets be repainted?

Aside from these issues, glazed cabinets are just like a regular painted cabinet. The prep work for a glazed cabinet is the same as a stained or previously painted cabinet door. All the doors must be cleaned. The doors must be scuff sanded.

What to use to pinstripe cabinets?

0:293:20Glazing/Pinstriping Cabinet Doors - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you do one seal coat and then you come back with its powder glaze. And what I found with it isMoreAnd you do one seal coat and then you come back with its powder glaze. And what I found with it is you want to let it dry.

Why Restain Your Cabinets?

Are you done with the old and ready to update with the new? When the time comes for an update in your kitchen or bathroom, it’s no secret that restaining your old cabinets makes a big difference in the overall look and feel of the space.

How to Restain Cabinets in 5 Steps

The first step to restaining cabinets is to remove all cabinet accessories. This step includes taking out all drawers, removing handles and hinges, and any shelving inside the cabinets you want to match the outside surface.

Things to Consider

Restaining cabinets can be a time-consuming task. However, it’s vital to understand that to get quality-looking cabinets, time and attention are necessary. It’s also imperative to understand the do’s and don’ts when it comes to staining cabinets.

So, How Do You Restain Cabinets?

The best way to ensure you’re restaining your cabinets in a way that looks clean and professional is to start with the removal of all cabinet accessories.

What is restaining kitchen cabinets?

Restaining kitchen cabinets is a great way to update the look and feel of your kitchen, for a fraction of the cost of replacement. Typically, restaining cabinets is a long and involved process, but it doesn't have to be.

How long does it take for a stain to dry on cabinets?

Applying the stain or varnish with the existing grain of the cabinets results in a more professional look. Once the stain or varnish is applied, wait 24 hours for it to dry, or follow the the drying times listed on the packaging if you purchased a quick-drying varnish or stain.

Can you stain wood with gel stain?

Staining wood cabinets gives you a complete color change solution, but only if your goal is a darker stain. It doesn't take long to apply a gel stain with a paintbrush — the process is very fast, with minimal drying times; however, the basic area preparation required is similar to the prep needed for application of tinted varnishes.

Can you restain oak cabinets?

It's worth pointing out that a quick restain inevitably means going to at least a slightly darker color. This is usually fine because many dark tones are on-trend, and they make a good complement for stainless-steel appliances and white or pale countertops and backsplashes. If your starting point is the the relatively golden hue commonly given to oak cabinetry in the 80s and 90s, you may need to apply several coats to make the finish as dark as you'd like.

What to use to stain wood?

After picking out your wood stain, you will also have to prepare sandpaper, a screwdriver, rags, dish soap, and some brushes. Wearing safety gear is a good idea again so go ahead and put on the mask, goggles, and gloves.

How to get rid of stains on wood?

The acid will help get rid of those stains. Lastly, you can also use household bleach. Household bleach can remove dyes applied on the wooden surface, but it cannot do much against stains. Once you’ve settled on the bleach you want to use, prepare a cleaning rag, dish soap, sandpaper, and a screwdriver.

Can you bleach dark wood cabinets?

Homeowners can opt to bleach or stain their dark wood kitchen cabinets in order to lighten them up. Using either bleach or a wood stain lightens up the color of the cabinets while preserving their natural look. Just remember to use the right type of bleach or wood stain to get the results you want. Altering the appearance ...

Can you remove kitchen cabinets with a screwdriver?

At this point, you can now remove the kitchen cabinets using your screwdriver. Leaving them in place while you complete the next step is an option, but removing them now will make things easier.

Does staining wood work?

On the plus side, staining accentuates the appearance of the wood. Many wood stains will even offer added protection after initial application. Sadly, not all stains work with all kinds of wood. Their effects also tend to fade faster compared to the bleach.

Do you need to get rid of paint on cabinets?

If there’s a thick layer of paint or finish covering the cabinets, you will need to get rid of that. Otherwise, the layer will prevent the stain from penetrating the wood.

Can you use bleach to clean cabinets?

You can soak the cleaning rag with either the household bleach or the bleach with oxalic acid. Do not use too much bleach right away because you can add more later on. Use the bleach-soaked rag now to wipe down the cabinets. Make sure you even out the application to prevent streaks from forming.

How do I restain kitchen cabinets?

The first step in restaining kitchen cabinets is to remove the doors from the cabinets and the cabinets from the wall. Before removing, be sure to label all cabinets and doors so that you will be able to re-install them in the correct locations and in the right order.

How long does it take for polyurethane varnish to dry?

Next, apply at least two coats of protective polyurethane varnish to the cabinets, using a brush or paint sprayer. Apply one coat, let it dry for 24 hours, then apply another coat. Allow all surfaces to dry for 24 hours, then re-install the hardware. See also: Kitchen Remodeling Ideas, Options and Solutions.

How to clean old varnish off of a car?

Scrape the old varnish into a container, and be sure to wear gloves and work in a well-ventilated area. Scrub any stubborn spots with steel wool. Wipe down the stripped surface with a rag dipped in mineral spirits to remove any stripper residue, and wipe everything clean with a tack rag.

How to lighten dark oak cabinets?

Stain sinks into wood pores under a sealed topcoat of lacquer. The only way to properly lighten the wood is to remove the lacquer, sand off the dark stain and replace it with a lighter color of stain.

How to get gelled finish off cabinets?

Spread drop cloths under the cabinets. Brush a wet coat of chemical stripper on the face and sides of the cabinets. Wait the required time and scrape the gelled finish from the top down, allowing the gobs of finish to drop off onto the cloth. Wait four hours for the cabinets to dry.

How to lighten dark wood?

The only way to properly lighten the wood is to remove the lacquer, sand off the dark stain and replace it with a lighter color of stain. Some procedures include bleaching the wood, but this shortcut still requires removing the original finish, and bleach wood kitchen cabinets can look blotchy – and you still have to sand to prepare ...

How to soften old wood finish?

Wait the required time according to manufacturer's directions for the chemical to soften the finish. Scrape off the old finish using a plastic scraper, advises Lowe's. Start from one side and scrape the finish into globs and let it drop off the doors and drawer fronts.

Can you refinish the inside of a drawer?

You can also refinish the inside of the drawers and backs of the doors if you want, but it's not necessary. Note: If you're not completely sure how the stain will look, apply some to a piece of scrap oak to test it before using it. Some light colors of stain include pecan or spiced walnut.

What to use to scrape a crevice?

It’s imperative to work in a ventilated space, to wear a respirator, to wear protective gloves and a long-sleeve work shirt. Use a sharp scraper to remove as much finish as possible and use whatever you have on hand (old spoons, dental tools, etc.) to scrape contours and crevices.

Can you use paint stripper to remove cabinets?

In a well-ventilated room (or outdoors), use a paint stripper to remove the existing finish. The job is messy and potentially unhealthy, but if you’re careful, it’s better than blowing thousands of dollars on new cabinets.

Can you refinish cabinets with stain?

How To: Refinish Cabinets. Having expensive cabinets hanging on your kitchen walls doesn’t mean much if you don’t like the color . That’s why many homeowners think about refinishing cabinets with a stain color of their own choosing. It is a big job, but there is a big payoff. Before you begin, however, it’s best to do a little detective work.

Can you use bleach to remove paint from a polyurethane?

It should be a lot easier than removing paint, but you may have to use an aggressive stripper or chlorine bleach to remove the old stain.

Can you apply clear polyurethane varnish after it has dried?

Once the stain has dried, follow up with another very light rubbing with 000 or 0000 steel wool before cleaning with tack cloth. Now you can apply a protective coat of clear polyurethane varnish. Applying any clear coat must be done in a dust-free environment.

Why Restain Your cabinets?

How to Restain Cabinets in 5 Steps

• Step 1: Remove Cabinet Accessories
  The first step to restaining cabinets is to remove all cabinet accessories. This step includes taking out all drawers, removing handles and hinges, and any shelving inside the cabinets you want to match the outside surface. If your drawers are not on a track, you can slide the drawer all the wa…
• Step 2: Sand Cabinets
  Once you’ve removed all the accessories from your cabinets, it’s time to break out the sandpaper. Sanding the cabinets ensures the new stain absorbs in the wood giving you that smooth, mirror-like finish. The best way to ensure a good sanding of the cabinets is to use a sanding blockor ele…

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Things to Consider

So, How Do You Restain cabinets?