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.
