View Full Version : Refinishing kitchen cabinets
shawnhbk
Oct 7, 2005, 05:19 PM
Yes I want to paint my kitcen cabinets a light color (they are a verydark brown now)they have probably 4 coats of paint on them now I tried to strip them and was unsuccessful if I prime them and repaint them they will look terrible what should I do? I was considering maybe sanding but would really like someone else's opinion I'm not sure if the paint on them is oil based HELP
RickJ
Oct 10, 2005, 04:01 AM
With that many layers - and assuming that you've gotten some of it off - the only way to do it right is to keep stripping.
Use the gel type, let it set awhile, then carefully use steel wool or a scraper to get it all off.
shawnhbk
Oct 10, 2005, 07:09 PM
Thanks rick for the advice that makes good sense what do you think about sanding? Would that be more effective? I know that stripping these cabinets will be a very timely chore educate me on sanding also thanks again
RickJ
Oct 11, 2005, 03:38 AM
Sandpaper is more work than repeated stripper applications... plus, with sanding, you risk sanding into good wood around the stuck-on paint.
If there are large areas of resistant paint, you can use an orbital wallpaper scorer ($10-$15) to help the stripper sink in... or just take a razorblade and lightly cut into it... "scoring" it.
Finally, I hope you're only doing the exteriors. On the interiors, just sand and paint over the old paint.
No one will ever notice :p