How to Stain Cabinets

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Remove all of the contents from your cabinets.

   You will need them to be stored in another place for about a week.
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   Step 2: Remove the doors and hardware.

   If you don’t take all the hinges and knobs off, the stain won’t penetrate the entire area, and you may have inconsistencies and bubbles in your finish.
   
   Keep all the knobs and hinges in sealable plastic bags with the screws that attach them. , Write in marker., Choose a bottom door and sand down the back to remove the original finish.
   
   Then, apply stain in several coats to adjoining sections so that you can see what color works best. , If you can do this project outside or in a garage with a drop cloth, you will reduce your mess and make the inside of your house a lot more tolerable during the project. , Buy a ventilation mask and wear safety goggles.
   
   Some cabinets are treated with formaldehyde, which shouldn’t be breathed in as it is sanded off. , Start with 100 to 120 grit sandpaper and repeat with 200 grit sandpaper to remove the existing finish.
   
   Sand the doors, drawers and bases to remove the glossy sealant. , Then, follow up by wiping the cabinets with a tack cloth. , Tape off counters and walls with painter’s tape.
   
   Keep cleaning wipes nearby in case of spills or mistakes. , You can also cut up old t-shirts or use old tube socks.
   
   Choose white fabric or fabric with very little dye left in it. , Start with the bases of the cabinets.
   
   Then, move onto the doors and drawers.
   
   It’s better to apply several thin coats than one thick coat, because the wood must slowly absorb the liquid or gel stain., Then, repeat with a second and third coat. ,,,, Screw the doors and doorknobs into the bases.
   
   Keep the area well ventilated for several weeks.
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   Step 3: Label all of the doors and hardware with a strip of painter’s tape and the exact location.

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   Step 4: Purchase some stain colors to test.

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   Step 5: Remove the cabinet bases and boxes themselves if you are in the process of a whole room remodel.

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   Step 6: Open your windows.

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   Step 7: Purchase a small power sander or several sanding blocks in both medium and fine grit.

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   Step 8: Use a shop vac to get rid of the majority of the dust.

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   Step 9: Tape down drop cloths around the base of your cabinets if you are unable to remove them.

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    Step 10: Buy cloth with which to apply the stain.

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    Step 11: Apply the stain by dipping the cloth in it and applying a thin coat.

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    Step 12: Allow it to dry according to package directions.

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    Step 13: Apply a polyurethane topcoat with foam brushes.

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    Step 14: Allow it to dry

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    Step 15: and then apply another coat.

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    Step 16: Wait 24 hours to several days to cure the finish.

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    Step 17: Reassemble your cabinets.

Detailed Guide

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