The Washington Post offers some advice on renewing old cabinets. Their tips include writing the location of each drawer and door in a place you won't paint over, such as drawer bottoms or door hinge spaces. Have you refinished your cabinets? Do you have any tips?...
Ha! I'm out of town, so I almost didn't log in today... but those are my cabinets!
view J-fer Rose's profile
Yes! I do have a tip. Two in fact. First, it's a job that is really easy to do poorly. You need to do all the sanding and priming and sanding again and so on if you want them to come out looking good. Second, the good news is that the last issue of This Old House has an article full of details about how to do it right.
When I first moved into my house, the cabinets were desperately filthy and I painted them as fast as I could. Now the paint is chipping all around the knobs and edges. I think I'm going to hire someone to help me with the repainting job. When I take on a big project like all the kitchen cabinets, I get tired and frustrated near the end, and then I cut corners when I shouldn't. Best to have the discipline of a pro to keep me honest.
view JoanneM's profile
Mine are almost identical to those above, but much older.
The finish was coming off the false drawers in front of the sink. Yesterday I used Howard's Restore-A-Finish and Feed and Wax. I've plugged the former here before, but I've never used it along with the latter. I'm wondering how long it'll last.
I also used them on my Cargo desk and hutch, and it looks MUCH better.
view Jean's profile
I had the same cabinets in my kitchen and I painted them (carefully without losing patience!!) by priming them and using black chalkboard paint. I then added stainless hardware from ikea and took on my first tiling project and tiled the countertops white and painted my walls a bright red. I loved the kitschy, retro look (my husband hated it) but we both agreed it was a HUGE improvement. He has since ripped out the whole kitchen and put in a brand new one so I don't have pics, but I highly recommend you go out get a great primer and take on the project, you'll be amazed.
view btfabt's profile
I have the same cabinets...they looked horrible when we bought the place. I've painted them a bright green and absolutely love it BUT JoanneM is right. If you are going to do it...do it right.
I did try to cut corners and some need to be re-done. I also removed some doors on one side of the kitchen.
view danze's profile