Cabinet Refinishing Modesto is a powerful solution that saves money and time over a full renovation. However, it comes with a few pitfalls to consider.
Most paint products aren’t designed to withstand contact with moisture and grease that kitchen environments regularly experience. These issues can shorten the lifespan of any paint job.
Cost
Refinishing your cabinets is a cost-effective option that will update their appearance without the expense of replacing them or undergoing a full kitchen remodel. However, it’s important to understand that refinishing doesn’t change the structure or layout of your cabinets and is a surface-only refurbishment.
Before starting, be sure to protect your countertops, floors, and appliances from the chemicals used in this project. It’s also a good idea to use a mask when working with chemical-based strippers. Once everything is prepped, sanding the surface of your cabinetry will create an even, smooth finish to be applied with your chosen stain or paint.
For a smoother and more professional-looking result, consider using a power sander with an 80-grit sandpaper. Once the surface is smooth, you can then apply a sealer or stain to your choice of color, allowing it to dry completely before proceeding with a coat of polyurethane for an added layer of protection.
NHance recommends choosing a high-quality polyurethane that provides long-lasting durability and moisture resistance, such as the Rubio Monocoat line of products. Then, you’ll want to choose your desired color and apply several coats of the new product in a well-ventilated area, allowing it sufficient time to dry between each application.
One of the key differences between refinishing and painting is that refinishing involves changing the color of your cabinets, while painting is an effective way to update their style. However, painting can be more labor intensive, requiring you to remove all of your cabinet hardware and hinges before starting.
While cabinet refacing can provide a dramatic transformation, it’s typically more expensive than refinishing and requires a complete overhaul of your entire kitchen. To do a refacing project, you’ll need to remove and replace all the hardware, hinges, and handles on your existing cabinets and sand down the exterior of each cabinet box to ensure an even surface for the veneer that will be applied.
NHance offers a number of cabinet refacing options to suit your personal style, including a wide range of finishes and colors that you can customize with our Design Center. Our skilled team can help you navigate the selection process to bring your vision for a transformed kitchen to life, while keeping your budget intact.
Time
If you are a homeowner looking to upgrade your kitchen cabinets without spending an arm and a leg, cabinet refinishing is the way to go. This process is more cost-effective than a total replacement, extensive cabinet refacing, or even cabinet painting. Refinishing is also a more time-efficient option than refacing, as the cabinet doors and hinges are left in place, making the job less labor-intensive.
However, it is important to note that refinishing will not change your existing cabinets’ structure or design, which may be an issue for homeowners who are looking for a major aesthetic change. It is also worth mentioning that, due to the time-consuming nature of refinishing, this type of project should be completed by a professional.
Refinishing your cabinetry involves sanding or chemically stripping the existing finish and then applying a new one—either stain or paint. This process will not work on any material other than solid wood, and it can be difficult to achieve a flawless, expert finish when working with vertical surfaces, especially with traditional or DIY methods of cabinet painting.
Before you get started, it’s a good idea to cover countertops and other surfaces to protect them from accidental spills or splatters during the refinishing process. Next, you’ll need to thoroughly clean your cabinetry and degrease its surface. A thorough cleaning will also help ensure that your newly applied stain or paint will adhere to the surface.
If your cabinet hardware is outdated, this is a great opportunity to replace it with stylish new knobs and pulls. The new hardware will complement the updated color and texture of your cabinets and can make a big difference in the overall look of your kitchen.
While it is possible to do cabinet refacing on your own, the process is incredibly time-consuming and requires a high level of expertise and precision that most homeowners are not able to achieve. It’s also best to leave this type of project to a professional to ensure that your cabinets look flawless and are done correctly. NHance’s professional team is equipped with the knowledge and tools to complete your cabinet refacing project quickly and efficiently, so you can enjoy your updated kitchen as soon as possible.
Materials
Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or hiring professional cabinet painting services, the right materials will make all the difference. You’ll need a high quality primer, the paint of your choice and sandpaper to prep surfaces. You’ll also need a paint brush and a mini roller to minimize brush marks and achieve a smooth finish. You’ll want to wait at least 3-4 hours between each coat of paint and sanding.
First, you’ll need to remove all hardware and clean the surface of the cabinets. Use a degreaser like trisodium phosphate to eliminate grease and food residue, which will help the paint adhere. Remember to wear gloves and open all windows for ventilation.
Next, choose the wood type for your cabinet doors and drawers. Popular options like oak, cherry, and walnut offer a balance of durability and beauty. However, if you’re looking for something more affordable, pine and birch are excellent choices. Just be aware that they can chip easily and may require more frequent sanding to maintain their smooth surface.
A modern material made by bonding wood particles with resin, MDF offers a smooth and paint-friendly surface. It’s less expensive than solid wood and is resistant to temperature fluctuations. However, it can rot when exposed to excess moisture. A conversion varnish can prevent this.
Another modern option, HPL is composed of multiple layers of durable melamine, molded under heat and pressure. It’s available in a wide range of colors and styles, but is less resistant to chips, scratches, and heat. It’s a good choice for areas that aren’t regularly used.
Lastly, PVC Vinyl is a budget-friendly and easy to install material. It’s durable, but doesn’t hold up well to direct sunlight or heat. It’s also not scratch-resistant, so you’ll need to refinish frequently.
NHance’s Expertise
Cabinet refinishing is an ideal solution for homeowners who are looking to modernize their kitchens without the cost of full cabinet replacement or extensive refacing projects. As a kitchen renovation alternative, refinishing provides an opportunity to refresh your cabinetry’s appearance, update hardware, and introduce more stylish options for cabinet hardware that will complement the overall look of your home. However, it’s important to understand that refinishing isn’t the right option for everyone. For one, refinishing isn’t a good fit for cabinets made from thermofoil or laminate, as those materials cannot be sanded or chemically stripped to prepare them for the refinishing process.
Another factor to consider when evaluating whether cabinet refinishing is the right choice for your home is longevity. Most paint products do not stand up well in the kitchen environment, which is filled with moisture and grease on a regular basis. This is why it’s important to choose a professional for your refinishing project, as a professional will ensure that the final product will withstand the wear and tear of a kitchen environment.
N-Hance’s wood refinishing services are designed to revitalize the beauty of your home’s wood surfaces, restoring their original life and luster. Our refinishing process thoroughly cleans, degreases, and sands the surface before staining with a high-quality finish. Our expert craftsmen can apply a variety of translucent color options to your cabinets, allowing you to create the perfect look for your home.
If you’re looking for a more drastic change to your cabinetry, N-Hance also offers cabinet refacing. This service involves replacing the cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and side panels with newer options, while leaving the existing cabinet boxes intact. For more information on how refacing can upgrade your cabinets, check out our Cabinet Refacing page.
