If you’re lucky enough to have wood cabinets in your home, you want to do your best to take of them through the years. However, if you’re a busy homeowner, it’s quite possible that your cabinets aren’t at the forefront of your mind. If you haven’t spent any time refacing cabinets or even keeping them clean and orderly, you could end up with a lot of damaged wood on your hands. Fortunately, since wood is one of the most durable kitchen materials out there, you probably won’t have to spend tons of money to get your cabinets ripped out of the wall. If you use the best kitchen cabinet refacing st. louis service, you can make your cabinets look as good as new without having to start from scratch. Ready to get your cabinets stained and finished? Here’s what you should do.
Sand
Before treating your wood, you need to make sure it’s ready to be treated. If you have damaged or chipped wood, or even a surface that looks too dull for your taste, sanding can be a huge help. If you’re dealing with minor damage, it might be enough to use sandpaper to get the job done. For larger jobs, however, you should rent a sanding tool from a home goods store near you. Using the sanding tool will ensure that you get a flat, smooth surface on which to prime and apply your stain. Sanding won’t just hide a multitude of sins, it will make sure that the work you put into applying your stain won’t all be for nothing. Sanding might take some time, especially if you’re new to the process, and it will involve some serious cleanup, but the end product will be well worth it.
Condition
Now that you have a good working surface, you’re ready to prepare your wood for what’s coming next. Wood conditioner does just that. In the same way that hair conditioner treats and repairs your hair to prevent breakage and other environmental damage, wood conditioner will help keep your wood healthy and ready for an even coat of stain no matter what. Once you’ve sanded off the damaged or dull areas of your wood, you can apply a thin layer of conditioner and wait for it to dry.
Stain
Now it’s time for the main event: Your stain. Before you’ve done any of these primary steps, however, it’s important to think about what type of look you’re going for with your stain. The type of wood your working with will dictate some of this, but you’ll also be able to have some stylistic control over it. Different types of wood are complemented by different types of stain. If you want a glossy, light look, getting an amber-colored stain could be the right choice. If your cabinet gets a lot of light, you also might want to think about applying a lighter-colored stain, especially if you’re trying to brighten up your kitchen and let more light in. However, for darker wood types like chestnut and mahogany, a darker stain may be more appropriate. Choosing a rich, deep stain for your wood could help accentuate its beauty and bring out some hidden details. Staining will also bring out the grain in your wood, so make sure not to choose anything that’s too dark. Remember, wood stain is all about accentuating the natural beauty of your wood, not covering it up. You can also use stain to create a different look for your wood. While some might want to spruce up older wood to make it look new, other homeowners may want to embrace a more antique, vintage look by bringing out the patterns and eccentricities in older wood cabinets.
Finish
Once you’ve applied your stain, you’re ready to finish the job off. While wood stain does make old wood look spectacular once more, it sadly doesn’t do much to protect your wood in the long run. That’s where finishing comes in. When you apply a coat of finish, you’re essentially locking everything in and making sure nothing gets past the barrier of protection you’re creating. While you’ll still have to deal with dirt and dust buildup, you won’t have to worry as much about deterioration and decay. Apply two coats of finish to make sure you’re locking everything in and creating a clean, even surface for your cabinet. Once it starts to look dull again, don’t despair. You can always refinish your wood cabinets once they start to look a bit worse for wear.
