Refinishing my kitchen cabinets

[Ron-P]

Our kitchen cabinets are about 14 years old and in great condition. But, that golden oak color has got to go. After some sample testing on the backs of doors we found the color, Moorish Teak.

We will strip the doors of their clear coat with Dads: Paint and varnish remover. Clean the doors and then apply two coats of the Moorish Teak and then the clear coat.

We plan to remove all the doors and hardware and stack them off in the garage tackling the framework first. Once the framework is 100% complete then we will move on to the doors. The inside of the cabinets will remain the light color so all our dishes can stay.

Here's a couple of current kitchen pics.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/Ron-P/Kitchen1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/Ron-P/Kitchen2.jpg


Here's a pic of the test we liked. It has a second coat with a red tint which we will not do.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/Ron-P/Test1.jpg

Out the door the entire project will cost us right about $120.00.

[faster100]

although its a huge kitchen, the dark color will make it look smaller.. it looks pretty good, just real dark.

[Ron-P]

it looks pretty good, just real dark.
Yep, it's exactly what we want, dark. Our living room and dining room are both furnished with very dark furnishings, we both love it. Our pub kitchen table you see in the pics, all our furniture is that color.

The last project on the list is flooring, we're looking at a dark stone type. That should be a fun project.

[Early B.]

Great. Keep us informed because I need to do the same thing. Our cabinets are 26 years old.

BTW, it's gonna cost you a lot more than $120 when you're finally done. The dark teak color have a high contrast to the white appliances, etc. and may force you to change the countertops, at a minimum. What color is the kitchen floor?

We have a resident interior designer on the forum, so maybe she'll chime in.

[Ron-P]

We will not be changing out the appliances or countertops, it's all fairly new and in very good shape.

The kitchen ceiling is white as is the kitchen door, mini blinds, counter top and appliances, there's enough white in the kitchen to give a good balance. Plus, the floor is a light tan as is the carpet in the rooms next to the kitchen.

[Skynut]

I like it.
It is a little dark but to each their own.

The wife and I have been thinking about doing this so I am interested in how it goes. We have the same light oak in our house.

I am mainly worried about the thin venreer on the cabnets.

Let us know how well it works and good luck.

[faster100]

well i like the color.. my comment wasnt against the color. dark colors just make rooms look smaller, although don't think that will hurt in that huge kitchen. the white will be a nice contrast.. i certainly wouldnt make anything else dark but the floor imo.. I like stained colors way more then the painted look for cabinets and wood stuff,

[cfrizz]

Where'd the pics go I want to see them!

[Early B.]

How simple was it to remove the original coat? Was it messy and stinky?

Also, please let us know how much time it takes for you to complete it. That's one of the reasons we haven't attempted this project yet. It's gotta be done, though. Our cabinets are a similar color than yours and we're looking to go with a lighter coat, and change out the hardware and countertops. Ughh.

[faster100]

if your going a lighter coat, be real sure you get all the other finish off or its gonna darken your lighter finish.

I'm sure its going to be semi messy... ive refinished several pieces in the past,one being a 20's hoosier cabinet, nothing about stripper or paint remover that's clean.. :D

[Ron-P]

I'll post pics along the way. We are giving ourselves a months time to do it. A couple days to do the framework and then several doors at a time on my days off.

The "Dads" is not too smelly and it's a gel type so it stickes in place and is scraped off. Removing the original coat was very easy, the second Dads hits the finish is peeling up. It just has to be cleaned off real good before staining. It's a fairly simple process. Getting an even look over the entire kitchen with the stain will be the tough part, that's what will take time to do.

dark colors just make rooms look smaller,
True to an extent. We have a dark master bedroom and a dark bathroom and it did not shrink the rooms much, if any. Heck, our kitchen walls are a deep, dusty green and it did not effect the size of it at all.

Dark colors have so much life and character to them. Whites and pastel colors do not.

As for the counter top we may tile over it with a light tan tile but not until we redo the flooring which will be a medium dark colored stone.

[madmax]

I need to re-do mine as well so lots of pics and details please. :)
madmax

[Willow]

Yes keep us posted. We too have to either redo ours or buy new cabinets. We just bought new appliances in May all white to replcae the old almond ones. Our cabinets are that old ugly oak and they need to go.
Who on the forum is an interior designer ?

[Early B.]

Who on the forum is an interior designer ?

Wingnut. She'll probably be modest and tell you she hasn't earned the degree yet, but check out how she decorated her HT room with two beautiful SVS's and a pair of gorgeous VR4Jr's.

[Polkersince85]

I can hear F1nut cringe but if you have real solid wood doors. not mdf, or laminate, paint remover and power washers (or early
Sunday morning at the spray car wash) works good. Do a test run first though, dry it off quickly.

[Midnite Mick]

Love the colour. The appliances and countertop may stick out too much for me though. Huge job.

Good luck,
Mike

[Frank Z]

I guess I'm the lone voice of dissent.....yuck! I like the cabinets the way they are, different handles and drawer pulls maybe. Good luck with the project Ron. I hope it turns out the way you want it to...that's all that matters.

[Polkersince85]

I'm with FrankZ. I think the wood color as now is better. Just change floor first and see how it looks or take a digital picture and edit the colors to get an idea how it will look afterwards. You can always think about it but once it's done, you can't go back.

[wingnut4772]

Dark does not necessarily make a room look smaller. I think that color will add drama. Are you also thinking of re-doing the paint? Something in a nice warm tone- in a nice earthy neutral palette a bit lighter than the cabinet color will really make it pop and help balance the white appliances with the dark wood color. Just a thought.

[Early B.]

Here's an inexpensive alternative that looks great -- knock out the center panel in some or all of the top cabinet doors and replace them with glass panes. Change out the hardware, too. It'll give your kitchen an entirely different look.

We did this in selected cabinets in our previous home and it gave the kitchen a more modern, classy look.

[brettw22]

If you're replacing teh hinges, make sure not to get too thick of a hinge. It looks like the existing is the standard hinge. Your doors don't butt right up against each other at the center point, but I've seen people get new mammoth hinges that totally eff the way the door sits against the frame.

I agree about the white counter top. It's going to be THE thing you notice in the kitchen so the tile idea down the line is a good one. I'd be careful though about turning all things dark in the kitchen or you're going to get the effect of walking into a cave.

Have fun.....

[Ron-P]

I guess I'm the lone voice of dissent.....yuck! I like the cabinets the way they are
We have nothing, I repeat, nothing else in our house that is this golden oak color and we are tired of it. My wife and I love dark, very dark, that very old and beaten up look. All the "new" furniture we bought is all distressed, that used and worn out look. These cabinets do not go with anything in our entire house.

Are you also thinking of re-doing the paint?
No. We love the dusty green and think it goes very well up against the dark cabinets.

knock out the center panel in some or all of the top cabinet doors and replace them with glass panes.
Thands for the suggestion but it's a look I do not like. I don't like to see what's in my cabinets. We are trying to avoid that modern look.

If you're replacing teh hinges, make sure not to get too thick of a hinge.
We are going to reuse the same hinges. We are going to paint them black.

I'd be careful though about turning all things dark in the kitchen or you're going to get the effect of walking into a cave.
Wait until you see the pics of our other rooms.

To help you guys see the bigger picture I'll post pics of our living room and dining room when I get a chance.

[wingnut4772]

Good for you. Dark is warm and cozy so do what you like. I would like to see pics of the other rooms, actually.:)

[Ron-P]

I'll try to get them up in the morning, if not it'll be late Saturday. Gonna be hanging with Mickey Mouse all day tomorrow.

[Midnite Mick]

I know you touched on this but using the glass in the cabinet doors just in a couple of feature places with the dark colour may break it up a little. You could have a couple of tidy looking display type of dishes in those.

I apologize as you have said that it wasn't what you were going for but it was just my thought.

Good luck,
Mike

[Early B.]

Another consideration for making cosmetic changes to the kitchen is resell value. Since you rarely see modern homes with dark kitchen cabinets, make sure you plan to stay in the house for a while. The most important room is the kitchen and if buyers don't like it, you could have a tough time selling it at the asking price. In our last house we remodelled the kitchen just before we sold it to enhance the value and/or make a quicker sale.

[Ron-P]

make sure you plan to stay in the house for a while
We will never sell, the house will go to my daughter when we are gone. If we want to move we'll take out a mortgage against the house for a down if need be but I don't see that ever happening.

Even if I wanted to move I wouldn't concern myself with resale. I want the house the way I like it not what a future buyer might or might not want or like.

Here's a couple shots of my living and dining rooms. As you can see, dark, this is what we what to match the kitchen to.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/Ron-P/LR1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/Ron-P/LR2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/Ron-P/DR1.jpg

[del44]

Seems like going dark/warmer is the trend now. As I repaint rooms in my house, I change the paint from whiter/cooler colors to darker/warmer colors. I don't plan on selling my house either. It will go to my kids. So everything I do is to my liking. The biggest thing will be making sure that the applied color is uniform and not streaky or spotty. Especially the outside of the doors.You're in for a challenge, but I think you'll like the finished product. Looks good Ron. BTW, nice place you have there.

[wingnut4772]

It's really not that dark. The walls are light which gives a nice contrast.

[Ron-P]

We stripped all the framework of the kitchen cabinets today. We also got on a first coat of the Moorish Teak on the pantry and cabinet above the fridge. We used a brush to apply the stain and did not wipe any off, just let it dry. Tomorrow we'll finsih the rest of the kitchen with the first coat and then on Saturday do a follow up second coat using a lint free rag.

Here's a couple of progress pics.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/Ron-P/Kitchen3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/Ron-P/Kitchen4.jpg

[faster100]

Ok guys at this point, it's obvious Ron's set in his color scheme and layout.. :D No changing his mind on this one, lets see the after pictures when your done though :)

This was moreso a look what im doing thread, not a what can i do better or different.. heheh!! :D :)

enjoy! the project

[TroyD]

Lookin' GOOD, Ron. Keep on rockin' broham.

BDT

[Early B.]

Keep up the good work and show us lots of pics.

BTW, does anyone know what it would cost if you hired someone to do this?

[Ron-P]

Thanks guys. The pics are a bit washed out looking due to the flash and being shot at night. I'll take some daylight pics Thursday when all the framework is done.

Early, we were quoted $1,200 on up.

[Ron-P]

Here's a couple of updated pics of the work we did last night. All the framework now has it's first coat.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/Ron-P/Kitchen5.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/Ron-P/Kitchen6.jpg

[Early B.]

Damn! You guys work fast. At this rate you'll be done by mid-September.

BTW -- what's the wiggly white stuff on the bottom?

[Ron-P]

Are goal is to have the kitchen 100% complete by mid-next week. Then, we can work on the doors a few at a time. Our biggest issue is getting the kitchen done so we can clean the insides, put down shelf paper and reload everything to get it off the dining room table.

Right now I'm cutting new skins for the side areas of the cabinets like that big "L" shaped area next to the stove. I've got 3 of the 5 areas done and stained.

That white wiggly stuff is the glue from when I pulled off the bottem trim work. That bottom trim will be stripped, stained, varnished and then glued back on.

[Midnite Mick]

It must be the light because it looks like you stained around the adhesive on the bottom.

Still think that you will have to do something about the countertop and appliances though......but just my opinion.

Mike

[brettw22]

Some cabinets have the lower section that's between the floor and the bottom of the cabinet as a black section to dress up with that floor banding you typically see more in a commercial environment (grocery/drug store, etc).

[Ron-P]

It must be the light because it looks like you stained around the adhesive on the bottom
The board is black under there, the glue I used was white.

Still think that you will have to do something about the countertop and appliances though......but just my opinion.

Probem is, there's white, black and stainless steel. If we went all black, the entire kitchen would be way too dark. If we went stainless, it would not match and it's a horrid looking color anyway. White is still the best option. The ceiling is white, the trim around the kitchen is white as is the kitchen door, window and window dressings. There's enough white in the kitchen too go with the countertop and appliances to give a good balance throughout.

[brettw22]

The way you can balalnce out the total darkness by going with black appliances is to lighten the countertop a bit. I know you said anti-contemporary, but I think a concrete countertop (dyed to preferred color) with beveled edges would be awesome to contrast the darker appliances. True, concrete is a contemporary element, but i think the beveled edges (looks awesome) could be pretty impressive.

[Shizelbs]

How can anyone dislike stainless steel appliances? I think they would be perfect with your new cabinets.

I think Brett is right. You are going to have to find the way to a good balance through the right countertop color.

[BIZILL]

damn it ron! hurt my feelings just there. i just loves me some stainless to come home to after a day at work and club polk. black on stainless coupled with a dark granite and i'd say you've got a winner. put the speakers and mini on hold and 'get you some'.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e139/bizill75/IMAGE_002131.jpg

i know...i know. take my own advice. heck, i can't afford granite, man!

[Ron-P]

Sorry BIZILL, but I just don't like stainless, to me, it's very cold and harsh looking, it doesn't give off that warm relaxing feeling.

There no way I am dropping $3k + for all new appliances. Our oven and micro are old but in great shape, the fridge and dishwasher are both only about a year old. Changing them out is not going to happen, also, my wife and I love the white look.

Replacing the counter top is an option as it's not too expensive and I can DIY it. We will look into that when the cabinets are 100% complete.

Made some good progress today. By end of day tomorrow all the kitchen will need is it's couple coats of varnish.

[del44]

Sounds like everything is moving right along. What type of top coat are you going to be using? If you can, spray the doors and brush the stiles. And don't forget to run the material through a good type of cone strainer. Nothing worse than a bunch of bugers on newly finished doors.:D

[Midnite Mick]

I think finding something for the countertop may just do the trick in easing the contrast between the dark cabinets and white appliances. Some dark and light tiled backsplash could help in tieing it all together as well. That way it won't look like two extremes and may flow better. Just my thoughts.

Mike

[Ron-P]

Nothing worse than a bunch of bugers on newly finished doors.

Excellent tip, thanks. I didn't even think about that.

I think finding something for the countertop may just do the trick in easing the contrast between the dark cabinets and white appliances.
That is our next step, flooring and in the same process looking at tops. We may even just find tile and tile over the current white top.

[Early B.]

Ron --

Don't you just love how everyone (including me) is giving you interior decorating advice that you never asked for?

It's OK -- just tell us to keep our big mouths shut and let you and your wife do as you please, dammit!:eek:

[disneyjoe7]

I for one can't wait for the final project to be complete, love to see the pictures.

[faster100]

like they (we ) say, ya bring it to the public ya get the publics opinion :D I'm sure it will work out the way Ron and his wife want and in the end they will do it the way they like.. It's not like he's gonna do what everyoen says just for our sake. :)

[Ron-P]

I am always open to opinions and appreciate each and every one, even if I don't agree.

Last couple of days I stained the undersides of the framework above the kitchen counter, I ragged on the second coat of stain and stained some trim pieces. I reskinned the side areas of the pantry, oven cabinet and the small cabinet above the fridge, stained and installed those. I'll finish with everything by tomorrow and will varnish on Thursday. Then, it'll be time to start the doors.

What type of top coat are you going to be using?
I'll be using a Zars Semi-Gloss varnish.

[Early B.]

Uh, where's the latest pics?...

By the way, Ron, what kind of painting and staining experience do you have? I guess I'm wondering if a newbie should tackle this kind of project?

[Ron-P]

I'll get new pics up Early.

As for experience (staining), nearly zero, other then the odds and ends type stuff. I built and stained a side table and a sleigh bench, I'll post pics of those tomorrow as well. But, this is a first for us. It's not hard just time consuming.

[Ron-P]

Not much to post today. The side panels along the pantry cabinet, the cabinet above the fridge and the one next to the stove / microwave have been reskinned and stained. Also some small pieces have been stained and placed between the kitchen walls and cabinets.

Today I cut and stained all the skins for the under side of the cabinets above the counter top. I'll hang those tomorrow.

Here's a few updated pics.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/Ron-P/Kitchen10.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/Ron-P/Kitchen8.jpg


Here's a couple small furniture pieces I built; a small end table and sleigh bench. I did these about a year ago.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/Ron-P/SB.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/Ron-P/Table.jpg


Tomorrow we are going back to the store to exchange our Semi-gloss clear coat and going with a Satin. We much prefer the matte look over the glossy look. Then, we'll start clear coating and hopefully by tomorrow night be 100% done with the kitchen and start cleaning and reloading all the cabinets.

[Ron-P]

Smallish update. Today we applied our first coat of satin varnish, it looks outstanding. A few spots are messy as this stuff is tough to work with. Thursday we will sand with 320 grit and apply a second coat and then the blue tape comes off and we can start using the kitchen again.

[wallstreet]

Look into the spray on varnish. Alot easier to work with and looks professionally done. I had the redo a cabinet door a few months ago and it looks great.

[Ron-P]

Good idea wallstreet, I did see the same stuff in the spray can. We may do this for the front side of the doors and brush the backsides.

Today we sanded down the first coat of varnish and did some touch up staining. In a few hours we'll apply the second coat of varnish and be done. I'll get some pics up tonight.

[disneyjoe7]

Way to go, I think we all are learning from this. Looking forward to some pictures....

GO GO GO RON ;)

[faster100]

minwax makes a great spray clear coat in gloss and satin.. It does work and look great.. I made a coffee table and cleared the sides and it looks nice. and also cleared the teak on my boat.. doesnt hold up to weather to well though :(

[MrNightly]

Just an idea I don't think we've thrown around yet. Have you considered removing the Wallpaper boarder from above the countertop and replacing it with a nice stone/tile to compliment both the countertop and new dark stain? If you got rid of the fluffy tree's and went with a nice tumbled stone, I think you'd be really impressed with the results. Look for a lighter tile/stone and darker grout to pull in the cabinets. Maybe a tile that has veins in it of dark that the grout will match, and enhance the deep new stain.

Just an thought that I think you'd enjoy and make the end all results much better and professional. Paper went out a while ago in kitchens it seems, IMO.

EDIT: Looking again at the pics, even a super nice tile/stone around 5-6 dollars a square foot, to tile your entire backsplash would probably only run ya 100-150 dollars, if you DIY. I've tiled for years, and could walk you through the entire process.

[Ron-P]

We may do that Nightly, but before we do, the counter top needs to be replaced and then we can match a tile to that. We are also throwing around the idea of DIY'ing an all tile counter top.

As this always happens, one project leads into another and then another and so on and so on. Right now I just want to get the kitchen cabinets done and then take a break. We'll start looking into counter tops later this year.

Our biggest goal in all this was to do away with the golden oak color of the cabinets, the smaller detail stuff will come later.

[Ron-P]

The kitchen framework is done, less the base boards, there done just need to do a clear coat on the kitchen floor then I'll install them. The process we went though...

1-Stripped
2-Stripped a second time
3-Sanded
4-Stained
5-Stained a second time
6-Varnished
7-Sanded
8-Detail touched up the cabinets
9-Final Varnish

Today Linda is cleaning out everything, going through all our kitchen stuff, putting down some nice shelf paper and organizing, then it's a functioning kitchen once again.

Here's some updated pics...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/Ron-P/K20.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/Ron-P/K21.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/Ron-P/K22.jpg

Once the house and kitchen is all put back in order this weekend we'll start the doors, most likely this Tuesday is the day.

[disneyjoe7]

Anything new Ron?


Got good news, going well? Or do you need to vent a little?

[Ron-P]

All is going very well actually, it's just a very slow process. Just last night we finished stripping the last of the doors, 36 pieces in all. Come Monday we will begin to stain. I'd say in about 2 weeks we should be done.

I have a 25 gallon air compressor and am going to buy a spray gun so we can spray on the varnish. We will apply the stain the same way which will take about a week or so to do.

I'll post more pics as we get closer to finishing.

[disneyjoe7]

Sounds good, an air compressor sounds very profesional...

Go RON!

Go RON!

Go RON!

[Ron-P]

...and we're still going. :)

I bought an HVLP gravity feed spray gun for my compressor. It was a bit tricky but worked great. Both sides of the doors now have two coats of stain and this morning was clear coated the backs of the doors. We also just completed refinishing all the hinges.

If all goes well tomorrow, I'll clear coat the fronts and Friday we'll hang the doors and be done, less any touch up work.

[Early B.]

Wonderful.

Can't wait to see the finished product.

[hearingimpared]

Wow nice darks Ron . . . keep the pics coming really good stuff.

[Ron-P]

We are done, less a few touch up spots. Total time, 31 days, most of that being drying time between stain and clear coats.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/Ron-P/Done1.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/Ron-P/Done2.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/Ron-P/Done3.jpg

[Ron-P]

Here's a flash back.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/Ron-P/Kitchen1.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/Ron-P/Kitchen2.jpg

[Midnite Mick]

I commented on this thread in the beginning but have to admit I have not really followed it throughout. I just looked at it now (obviously:p ).

Just like to say :eek: Wow they look beautiful and really tie in with the decore of the rest of house as I can see in the edge of the picture and some earlier pictures that you posted. The parts that shows the light glare on them shows just how great a job you did.

Congrats as I know it is a great feeling and a relief when ideas work out as you envision them.

Mike

[steveinaz]

Yep, it's exactly what we want, dark. Our living room and dining room are both furnished with very dark furnishings, we both love it. Our pub kitchen table you see in the pics, all our furniture is that color.

The last project on the list is flooring, we're looking at a dark stone type. That should be a fun project.

That's what Bev & I did with the new house. Dark slate tile floor, cherry cabinets and stainless steel appliances---it's beautiful. I was so tired of the "Arizona light oak, red tile" thing.

You'll love it Ron.

[Ron-P]

Thanks for the comments guys. We love how they turned out.

But, we may go ahead and ditch the plam tree wall paper tirm and repaint the walls to a light to medium brown/beige color. That might blend better with the cabinets and ease the transition between cabinets and counter/appliances.

[disneyjoe7]

But, we may go ahead and ditch the plam tree wall paper tirm and repaint the walls to a light to medium brown/beige color. That might blend better with the cabinets and ease the transition between cabinets and counter/appliances.

Sounds good.

[cfrizz]

Outstanding job Ron, congrats!

[scottnbnj]

great job.

too late for ron, but, i just stumbled across a decent article for anyone else that might be thinking about trying paint stripping.

http://w3.gsa.gov/web/p/hptp.nsf/0/aad3f0e3901f4c02852565c50054b413?OpenDocument

)

[Ron-P]

Other then a few decor items we are done.

We repainted the walls, still keeping with the green. I put up a 5/8" plywood border around the counter and then added the new wallpaper with a crown molding along the top stained to match the cabinets. We also found some matching palm tree shelf liner for all the interiors of the cabinets.

I also replaced all the outlets from white to brown, while the brown looks ok my wife decided to match up the wallpaper border and cover one. The result is below, this week she will do the other three, it looks so much better with them covered.

It's been a long process and a lot of work but we did it all and love the final result.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/Ron-P/Done1-1.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/Ron-P/Done2-1.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/Ron-P/Done3-1.jpg



As for the wall plates, from this...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/Ron-P/Cover2.jpg



To this...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/Ron-P/Cover1.jpg

[jgido759]

As for the wall plates, from this...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/Ron-P/Cover2.jpg



To this...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/Ron-P/Cover1.jpg

Nice job, Ron. Tell your wife she did an excellant job on the covers.

[brettw22]

both wall plates ended up with a switch in them eh? :D

[Fireman32]

Ron it looks great. Glad to see it all done

[disneyjoe7]

Looking complete now Ron, looking good.

[Ron-P]

Thanks guys!