RehabFAQs

how to rehab inside old cabinets

by Cortney Stokes Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Most cabinet types, including metal, plastic laminate, painted wood, and vinyl cabinets, can be cleaned with a solution of liquid dish soap and warm water. This simple and mild solution is enough to get food smudges, dust, and mild grease build-up off of your cabinets.

Full Answer

How do you bring old kitchen cabinets back to life?

Apr 12, 2017 · Watch this video for my favorite product that I use to restore the inside of wood cabinets and drawers. ***Try out online furniture painting workshops for m...

What to do with old wooden cabinets and hardware?

Mar 04, 2019 · Cabinet refacing is one of the most popular kitchen remodeling options because, in addition to gaining high-quality updated cabinetry, you pay a fraction of the price. For this process, you choose the door style and finish, and we do a thorough job of reinforcing the cabinetry's structural components and apply the new surface.

How to clean the inside of a cabinet?

Dec 15, 2015 · Remove the drawer from the cabinet, then wipe the rollers and slides with a clean cloth to remove any debris or buildup. Make sure all …

How to reface kitchen cabinets without a major overhaul?

The Cabinet Enamel dries with a very hard finish that doesn't show brush strokes and hasn't scuffed or scrapped at all in the year we've had it on the rest of the cabinets.

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How do I restore the inside of my kitchen cabinets?

0:343:13Quick Tip ~ How to Quickly Restore Inside of Cabinets and DrawersYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo my secret product let me put on some gloves. Is. Restore a finish from Howard this is what I useMoreSo my secret product let me put on some gloves. Is. Restore a finish from Howard this is what I use so I excuse my reach take an old cheap chick brush. And I pour this in here.

Can the inside of cabinets be refaced?

Cabinet refacing is a convenient and economical option to enhance the appearance of your kitchen. You don't have to replace a cabinet that is still in good condition as refacing includes the process of changing cabinet doors, knobs, hinges and drawer fronts.

How do you fill in cabinet grooves?

Fill the Grooves Use mineral spirits with steel wool to clean the wood, according to Family Handyman. After cleaning and filling the cabinet doors' grooves, sand them until they are smooth. Then, consider a paint color, such as white or dark gray, for a fresh and more modern vibe.

Can you paint inside of cabinets?

Painting inside kitchen cabinets can be an easy way to spruce up your kitchen. You can add a pop of color or reduce any contrast between your cabinets and cabinet doors. If you want to paint inside kitchen cabinets, you can and have it be safe.

Should I paint the inside of unfinished cabinets?

Even though cabinet insides can go unpainted, you can color them if you want to. The matching or contrast style adds to the interior beauty of your kitchen. If your cabinets have glass doors, painting inside is extremely wise.May 2, 2021

What is a cabinet filler?

A filler is a piece of finished wood used to "fill" openings or gaps between cabinets, or a cabinet and any obstruction, that would inhibit the doors or drawers from fully functioning.

How do you cover ridges on kitchen cabinets?

1:024:10Wrap a kitchen with grooves: Retro look - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd that's okay because you can simply smooth them out or for the smaller ones just prick them withMoreAnd that's okay because you can simply smooth them out or for the smaller ones just prick them with a pencil at the air out once you've reached the beveled edges continue towards the sides.

How do you use wood filler on cabinets?

2:2030:52How To Fill Wood Grain On Oak Cabinets (Stop Using Aqua Coat!)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's a natural wood grain filler. And it it's easy to use because it comes in a pre-paste form andMoreIt's a natural wood grain filler. And it it's easy to use because it comes in a pre-paste form and you can also thin it out a bit.

How to clean black stains on cabinets?

Clean the dirty doors, drawer faces and cabinets by lightly rubbing them with mineral spirits and No. 0000 steel wool or synthetic steel wool. Work in a well-ventilated area. Too much rubbing will create lightened areas. If you have stubborn black stains left by hardware, apply oxalic acid (available at hardware stores) with a cotton swab (follow manufacturer’s directions). Rinse off the acid as soon as the stain disappears. If you accidentally lighten an area too much, apply a matching gel stain to the spot and let it dry before proceeding.

How do I clean old doors?

The shellac acts as a primer because it will bond to any finish on your old doors. Clean the brushes with denatured alcohol. After the shellac dries, apply two coats of water-based polyurethane. Sand lightly between coats.

How to use a jig on a drawer?

To use the jig on a drawer face, remove the short lip from the block. Use two heavy-duty spring clamps to hold the jig in place.

How do I clean a door with shellac?

Brush the sawdust out of the grooves with a toothbrush. Apply two coats of shellac to the routed door face. Use the wax-free type, or make sure the final topcoat that you use is compatible with regular shellac. Use a tack cloth to clean the doors before the first and between subsequent coats.

What is cabinet refacing?

Cabinet refacing is one of the most popular kitchen remodeling options because, in addition to gaining high-quality updated cabinetry, you pay a fraction of the price. For this process, you choose the door style and finish, and we do a thorough job of reinforcing the cabinetry's structural components and apply the new surface.

Do cabinets match on the outside?

When your cabinets were originally designed, built and installed —there's a chance the interiors matched or were similarly finished to the exteriors. Then again, that might not be the case at all. Either way, when you opt to update cabinets on the outside, you may find that the cabinet interiors no longer match. Perhaps the interiors were light and now you're going dark, or vice versa.

How to fix scratches in wood?

Scratches in the Wood. The fix is easy—use a touchup stain marker to fill in the scratch. A marker costs about $6 at home centers, and the stain dries in a matter of minutes. The tough part is finding the right color to match your finish.

What to do if you have a gash in your wood?

If you've got a real gash, or a chunk of wood missing, you'll need to fill in the problem area with epoxy filler or epoxy paste. Once it hardens, the epoxy acts like real wood, which means it can be sanded smooth and then painted or stained.

How to get stains out of wood cabinets?

Avoid using scouring pads since they can scratch the wood. Finally, rinse the cabinets with clean water and then wipe them dry with a clean cloth . To restore the wood's shine, apply a wood cleaner or polish.

What happens when you put grease on a kitchen cabinet?

As a result, cabinets end up feeling grimy and losing their luster. Happily, the same method for cleaning greasy dishes also cleans cabinets.

How much does a soft close adapter cost?

You can also buy soft close adapters, starting at $2.15 each online, that attach to the inside of the cabinet face frame. Right before the door closes, it engages the adaptor, which keeps the door from slamming shut. For a cheap solution, buy self-adhesive bumpers that cost $2.30 for a 16-pack at home centers.

How to clean greasy dishes?

Happily, the same method for cleaning greasy dishes also cleans cabinets. Mix a couple tablespoons of a grease-cutting dishwashing detergent, like Dawn, in a bowl of warm water. Dip a sponge or white cloth into the mixture and scrub the wood surface clean.

Why do knobs and handles come loose?

Loose Handles or Knobs. Because they're subjected to constant pushing, pulling, and grabbing, handles and knobs frequently come loose. The obvious fix—tightening the screws—is good short-term solution. But eventually they'll twist loose again.

Build a Desk

If you have a nook in your house that can fit a built-in office area, repurpose those old cabinets to make yourself a compact space where you can work from home, pay bills and keep important files organized. Check out these other 80 old items fantastic for repurposing.

Surround Your TV With Storage

An alternative to a media center, you can turn your old cabinets into built-in cabinetry without the high cost of custom cabinets. You’ll be able to store so much more, hiding odds and ends out of site in freshly repurposed cabinets. You may also like these 15 brilliant ways to repurpose a pile of old books.

Make a Kitchen Dresser

Have a wall in your kitchen that looks bare? Tuck a table up against it and use an old kitchen cabinet to display eclectic items. Here are 12 brilliant ways to reuse cardboard boxes.

Create Basement Storage

Use some of your leftover kitchen cabinetry to create sleek, additional storage in your basement. Fascinated by things built from recycled materials? Then check out these 30 tiny homes.

How to clean old cabinets?

Wipe down dusty cans and containers with warm water and dish soap on a dampened cloth. Throw out any items that have expired. Dry items thoroughly before replacing them in the cabinets. Leave the cabinets open for one to two hours to fully dry before replacing the contents of the cabinet.

Why are my cabinets prone to stains?

Cabinets installed near a self-cleaning oven are prone to damage from the intense heat that can escape from a faulty heat gasket seal.

How to clean metal hardware on wood cabinets?

For metal hardware on wood cabinets, dip a toothbrush in a 50/50 solution of vinegar and warm water and scrub the hardware, the surrounding wood, and the crevices of ornate trim. If possible, remove the hardware from the cabinets and drawers before cleaning.

Can you spray glass cleaner on cabinets?

Spray commercial glass cleaner onto a lint-free cloth or paper towel before wiping onto the glass or mirror insets of cabinets. Never spray the glass directly because the cleaner can seep into woodwork or other parts of the cabinet and cause discoloration. The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu.

What to do if all your plates are in the dishwasher?

For example, if all your plates are in the dishwasher at a given moment, you can use that opportunity to clean the spot they usually sit in. Keep a list of what you’ve cleaned as you go, and make sure you cover the spots where your plates, bowls, and drinking glasses sit. The Spruce. The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu.

Can dish soap be used to clean cabinets?

Dish soap works as a degreaser and can even remove some tough buildup on the exterior. An all-purpose cleaner can be used to clean cabinets too, but it's important to test cleaners in a hidden spot to make sure that they won't damage your cabinet's finish.

Can you vacuum out cabinets after emptying them?

Beginning with the highest cabinet, empty contents and remove any torn or discolored shelf lining if necessary. If the interior cabinets have a lot of crumbs and residue, it may be a good idea to vacuum the cabinets out after they've been emptied, before wiping them down.

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Overview

How Far Should You Go?

  • One of the nicest features of this project is that you can take it as far as you want. For instance, you can stop after simply cleaning and refinishing the doors. On these doors, I noticed a dramatic difference simply after cleaning off 35 years of kitchen grease, grime and broken-down finish—this cleaning made the wood grain reappear after years in hiding. The wood grain stood o…
See more on familyhandyman.com

Choosing New Hardware

  • The kind of doors you have will dictate your hinge choice. The doors you see here, very common on older standard cabinets, have a 3/8-in. rabbeted inset with a 3/8-in. overlay (see Photo 2). This type of door makes using a completely concealed hinge problematic, if not impossible. So, I chose face-mounted hinges made for an inset door. To make the face-mounted hinges less obtrusive, …
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Use A Jig For Fast, Accurate Knob Placement

  • I chose 1-1/4-in. black steel knobs instead of pulls or handles for this project. Center the doorknobs so they fall on the diagonal line formed by the corner of the door and the intersection of the bottom and side grooves in the door face (see the jig in Photo 8). Put drawer knobs in the exact center of the drawer. If your drawer faces are all the ...
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Watch For Trouble Spots

  • We found three potential trouble spots in this project: 1. Valances over the sink 2. False sink fronts 3. Doors without a center stile If you have an ornate valance over the sink, you may want to remove it. The style may not work well with the project shown here. Most sink cabinets have a false front drawer above the doors. You’ll have to remove this piece to rout the grooves. Someti…
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Required Tools For This Project

  • Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration. 1. Clamps 2. Cordless drill 3. Paintbrush 4. Router 5. Router table 6. Wood chisel
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Required Materials For This Project

  • Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list. 1. 0000 steel wool 2. Acrylic urethane 3. Extra-fine sandpaper 4. Mineral spirits 5. Oxalic acid 6. Paint for grooves 7. Shellac (wax-free) 8. Tack cloth 9. Wood filler
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