Q: What is refinishing?
Refinishing is a process of stripping the lacquer or varnish off the old doors, drawer fronts, face frames and sides of the cabinets.
This is done with a chemical stripper. You apply the gel, let it coat the surface of the piece, scrape it off, then wipe clean. Be sure
to wear gloves, eye protection, open a window, and follow directions very carefully on the back of the container. The other
method is to have a professional stripping company dip the parts in a large vat filled with a chemical solution. This is very expensive
Q: What kind of results can I expect from stripping off the old finish ?
You bring the wood back to a somewhat original condition. A light sanding with very fine paper can remove most of the original
stain which soaked into the grain. Keep in mind that you will have to apply new stain, almost always a darker shade because
there is a need to cover up an impregnated grain from the original finishing process.
Q: Will the cabinets need to be varnished or lacquered again ?
Yes. Most people who purchase unfinished furniture aren't aware that staining their newly found treasure is only the beginning.
The finishing process is what protects the beauty of the piece. That's the application of varnish, polyurethane, or lacquer to the
stained wood to preserve it. A kitchen cabinet door needs something to preserve it from water stains, minor dings, cooking
grease in the air, fingerprints and smudges, jelly, odors, etc. Wood is absorbent and accepts just about anything that the harsh
kitchen environment has to offer. Finishing isn't always necessary, but it does keep away the mold and mildew also.
Q: What kind of pitfalls can I expect if I do it myself ?
Expecting too much, too soon. Allow yourself a few weekends to complete the project. Try it out on a test piece first. Start in
an inconspicuous place like the inside of a door above the refrigerator or a lower dark corner cabinet side panel. Secondly,
the most important concern is residue from the stripping process which must be completely cleaned off. That's what will make
or ruin your finished piece. Residue when left on the stripped piece will not accept new stain, it will show discoloration from
the remainder of the piece and will appear as rough yellowish smears in the corners of details and around the edges of the doors
and inside the grooves and edges.