How to Stain Unfinished Cabinets
People forget to consider purchasing unfinished cabinets. These types of cabinets can save you money. You can stain them yourself, which will take time but the finished product will create a drastic change in the kitchen. You will need to set aside at least three days.
How to Stain Unfinished Cabinets
Materials Needed
- Screwdriver
- Trisodium phosphate
- Water
- Buckets
- Cloths
- 120 grit sandpaper
- 220 grit sandpaper
- Orbital sandpaper
- Stain
- Paint stick
- Paintbrush
- Sealer
- Remove the hinges with a screwdriver and take down the doors. Take off the hardware and remove any drawers. Place those in a safe area.
- Clean the cabinets with ¼ cup of trisodium phosphate and 2 gallons of water. Mix the two liquids in a bucket. Fill another bucket with clean water. Make sure you wear gloves. Clean the cabinets with the cleaning solution and a clean cloth. Use the clean water and another clean cloth to rinse the cabinets. Allow the cabinets to completely dry.
- Apply 120-grit sandpaper to an orbital sander and sand over the cabinets. Change to 220-grit sandpaper and sand the cabinets. Remove the dust with a damp cloth and allow the cabinets to dry.
- Open the can of stain and blend it with a paint stick. Apply the stain with a paintbrush. Make sure the stain is applied evenly over the surface of the cabinets. Allow the first coat to dry for one complete day. You can apply as much stain as you like to create a darker surface but allow each coat to dry for one complete day before applying the next.
- Use a paintbrush to apply a wood sealer over the stain. Allow the sealer to dry for 48 hours. Reattach the hinges, doors and hardware.