How to Refinish Cedar Closets
Your cedar closet probably looked amazing when you first had it remodeled or even when you first moved in. However, as time goes on, the stain or varnish on your closet may begin to lose its luster. Therefore, refinishing your cedar closets assists you in preserving the appearance of the wood.
Supply List
- Sander
- Fine-grained sandpaper
- Tack clothes
- Drop clothes
- Painter’s tape
- Stain
- Clear polyurethane varnish
- Paintbrushes
- Mineral spirits
- Remove any items you have in your closet including clothing, shoes and other items.
- Sand the current varnish off the cedar closets using a fine-grained sandpaper. Remember, to sand along with the grain of the wood to prevent splintering.
- Use a tack cloth to remove dust particles from the closet.
- Put painter’s tape around the edges of the closet you do not plan to refinish. If you are not refinishing your floor, place drop clothes down.
- Use a paintbrush to apply a stain of your choosing. You will want to opt for an oil-based variety. Additionally, if you have a small closet, you may want to consider a lighter colored varnish because darker colors make the space appear smaller. Make sure you apply an even coat without any drips or spots where the varnish ran.
- Use mineral spirits to clean your brush. Wait about six hours for the stain to dry thoroughly.
- Apply a coat of clear polyurethane varnish over top of the colored varnish. Always paint a thin coat of polyurethane on the closet.
- Allow the coat to dry, which usually takes about two hours before it is dry enough to apply another coat.
- Put an addition thin coat of polyurethane on the closet. Do not touch the refinished sections of the closet for at least four or five hours.