I have oak cabinets […] A gel stain can update the look of your old furniture, cabinets, doors, and other fixtures. Mahogany gives warmth while walnut, which is similar in cost and hardness to mahogany, happens to add elegance to cabinets. They were water stained, drab and ugly. However, the wood veneer used when refacing comes in a variety of grains and hues – even white – so you may not need to apply paint or stain at all. The staining portion of the project begins, not with stain, but with pre-stain wood conditioner (view example on Amazon). Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is a non-wood, paint-grade material that doesn’t benefit from staining. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. Once you’ve properly prepared, apply the stripper according to the included instructions. Stain is a great way to display the natural grain of the wood beneath. Finish up by sanding the cabinets again, this time with 150- to 220-grit paper. Once you’ve taken off the old finish, move on to sanding the cabinets with 80- to 120-grit sandpaper. Often calls for extra coats, adding to project time. Soft green. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. Once you’ve coated every cabinet surface, wait for the stain to dry. White cabinets are typically more expensive than stained ones, both when you buy them and when you repaint them. More prone to cracking because it doesn’t move with the natural expansion and contraction of wood. If the cabinet and doors feature inset paneling and other details, opt for a small brush capable of reaching all the little nooks and crannies. RTA VS. Pre-assembled. The best material for the kitchen cabinetry is solid wood. A lot of it can depend of the choice of back splash and counter tops. By the same token, if all the cabinet surfaces are flat, you can safely stick with a wider brush. Italy: Instapro If you opted for a traditional stain (view example on Amazon), you don’t strictly need to seal the cabinets, but considering the inevitable wear and tear, it’s probably a good idea. There are two ways to go about it. However, either option will work as long as you prep the surface. Now it’s time to apply the stain. This is a gorgeous deep and rich hue, cooler and more gray than typical cabinet stain colors. The oak cabinet shown here will receive a red chestnut stain that darkens the wood and adds a warm red tone while bringing out the wood's natural beauty and pronounced grain. Paint is a popular choice for homeowners who want a solid, modern color. Staining wood cabinets gives you a complete color change solution, but only if your goal is a darker stain. Cedar requires extra care. Note: There’s one situation when it’s not necessary to spend time cleaning at the outset. Canada: HomeStars 3rd May 2017. 1. Normally, stripper takes about a half hour to set in. 2-4 hours depending on color: 2-4 hours depending on color Also, it is less expensive than solid wood. Don’t worry: You can lighten things up by rubbing off the excess stain with a fresh rag. Otherwise, expect to apply at least two coats. If you were envisioning a lighter color, you may be able to get away with one coat. Absorbs evenly across porous and non-porous spots. If you want a lighter look that stays close to oak’s natural color, a golden oak stain is a good choice. Both stain and paint can be used when refacing to match the existing wood of the cabinet with the new doors or drawers. 4. Because the... 2. But note that water-based paints are not suitable for softwoods. Repeat the process a third time if the stain color still hasn’t darkened enough to match your taste and expectations. Treating raw wood with conditioner helps prevent streaks and blotches by evening out the absorption of oil-based stains. Oil-based stains are the best wood stain for furniture or any large wood surface because of the slower drying time, which gives the piece a more even finish. If you have access to a palm sander, capitalize on its ability to make quicker, easier work of what would otherwise be a taxing, time-consuming step. For the best results, you’ll need to prepare the surfaces properly and be patient through the drying process. Other wood species can be stained to match existing colors that are in the home, although some will react to staining better … Applying a top coat can make cleaning easier. Germany: MyHammer Poor surface preparation will be apparent. Less prone to cracking because it moves with wood as it expands and contracts. You have many options for style and type with both products. Consider that polyurethane tends to accentuate any surface imperfections. Weathered wood accelerator is meant to give wood an aged look. Remove the cabinet hardware (including the hinges) and set the doors aside. Harder to remove spills that you don’t clean right away. Unless your cabinets are raw wood, the existing finish must be removed before you can apply the new stain coat. The three most common types of interior wood stains are water-based wood stains, oil-based wood stains and gel stains. That’s if the existing cabinets are painted or stained and, rather than use a chemical stripper, you’d prefer to scrape and sand away the existing finish. Get free, no-commitment estimates from pro painters near you. Oak and Wood Cabinets – How do Decide Whether to Stain or Paint I love oak cabinets. It is a lot of work to strip and sand the surface, but it will be worth it if you want a natural wood look. During that time, be careful not to let dust or dirt land on the cabinets. Paint is the best option for refinishing MDF cabinets. A gel stain is thicker than regular staining products and most surfaces don’t absorb it. Of all the reasons to appreciate solid wood cabinets, there may be none more appealing than their virtually endless changeability. Additionally, many kinds of wood can take a different stain, even if they are not of that species. Oil-based stains are probably the most common … Once the cabinets are dry, lightly scuff them with #000 steel wool. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages. Hardwoods benefit from staining because it brings out their inherently beautiful grains. But if you’ve got a number of cabinets to refinish, a paint and varnish stripper can save you a great deal of time and energy. Here, you can skip the cleaning and proceed directly to the second step. If you happen to have used such a stain-sealer hybrid, well, congratulations—you’re finished. If you’re only dealing with a few cabinets, it may be simplest to handle the job the old-fashioned way, without resorting to a chemical stripper. To darken the color, apply a second coat after 2-4 hours (time dependent on color). Whichever option you choose, updating your cabinets is always a good decision for ROI and resale value.