Wooden cabinets provide the most
practical storage solution. Be it your
wooden kitchen cabinets or
bathroom cabinets, they keep
all the necessary things organized and safe for your daily use. What more!
The
wooden TV cabinets and
CD cabinets let you store your
collections right where they are used so that you may not have to roam
around to find your favorite video CD if your mood changes and you want to
watch a movie instead of a TV serial. Garage cabinets are also useful for
hiding the clutter while storing them safely for usage the next time. Wood
is preferred for building cabinets over other materials due to its
durability and ability to blend with almost all types of home decor. Maple,
oak, cherry, birch and many other
types of
wood are used for making these cabinets. However, with time, wood
loses its sheen and the protective cover provided by the
wood finishes. So, you need to refinish
your wooden cabinets as and when required. Here are some tips for making
your old furniture all new for home improvement.
- Detach all the screws and other hardware with the help of a
screwdriver or other tools.
- Take 120-grit sandpaper and lightly sand all external wood surfaces
that are easily visible including base elements, cabinet doors and
drawers.
- After completing the preliminary sanding, take 220-grit sandpaper and
repeat the process once again for getting a smooth finish. This will
also prepare the wood for staining.
- Now dust off all wood parts with the help of a brush.
- Take a foam brush and apply a wood conditioner to all wood parts.
- Let all the wood pieces dry.
- Pick a wood stain according to the material of the cabinet and
compatibility with the surrounding decor theme and color. If required,
bring finish samples home to try on smaller pieces of wood furniture to
get the idea of the right finish.
- If you want to paint on the stain, use a water-based stain as it
doesn't dry as fast as other types of stains giving you enough time to
finish properly.
- Apply the stain with the help of brush or a rag. If using gel finish,
it has to be applied with a rag only. Also follow the instruction of the
manufacturer while applying stains.
- If you want a darker finish, let the stain settle in for awhile.
- For getting an optimal finish, apply two to three coats.
- After staining, apply a top coat. It helps in protecting the finish
and make it shine giving it a professional touch. Lacquer or
polyurethane, anything can be used for it. For getting maximum
protection, use a quality wood sealer.
The choice of right wood finish or paint will decide how good your
cabinets blend with the surroundings. Most of the time, lighter colored
cabinets are apt for bringing in a more country or traditional look and
darker colors for modern or contemporary look. If you do not plan to
refinish your wooden cabinets soon, always pick a finish or paint that is
not too trendy as trends change too quickly.
