Best stain for kitchen cabinets

[PrettyPaisley]

We started remodeling the kitchen about 2 years ago. We had a leak in the dishwasher and decided, while replacing it to replace the bottom cabinets as well. We bought unfinished because they were the least costly. At the time I thought I wanted a tiled countertop so the relative who was doing the work cut a piece of birch (I think) flush with the cabinet so there wouldn't be a lip. ?? I think.

Anyhow, fastforward 2 years and we are no closer to finishing the kitchen. So I figured I needed to step up and at least stain and/or seal these counter tops and cabinets. I am so tired of looking at unfinished wood I could scream. I can't get them to look clean and they are really getting stained with just daily living.

But asking me to do anything contrator-ish would be like asking a dog to throw a baseball; I have no idea what I am doing. Is it as easy as just going to Lowe's and getting a can of stain and brushing it on like painting? I can never get any help at Lowe's so I don't want to go ask them.

[watcher]

The best stain we ever had on the kitchen cabinets came when the relief valve blew out of the pressure cooker. Man that put a stained on just about every cabinet in the room.

Sorry but I just couldn't resist.

As for the finishing your cabinets. . .if you can find a piece of the same wood (a shelf?) or maybe use the inside of a cabinet buy a bunch of small cans of stain and try them until you find one that has the look you like.

[TNHermit]

Some of it depends on what finish your going to use. But in your case i would recommend a gel stain. They go on the most evenly. Youll need to use a degreaser
(wood cleaner) and sand well first. Minwax has a good product line.
Clean up,vaccum and wipe the cabinets down to get as much dust off as possible. Get a piece of foam to use as applicator. Gel is pretty forgiving so you can put it on with the grain and /swirl it around to get into any cracks. (Depending on what type of wood you have) Follow the directions on how long to let it stand then wipe it off.
Once it sets 24 hours you can put on one of the wipe on finishes or other of your choice, brush varnish etc. Once again Minwax has a good product line. I would check their website. They may have tutorials http://www.minwax.com/

I'm trying to write this so you understand. Doing it all the time things get to be automatic. So don't be afraid to ask more question. Doing cabinets that are allready in is a hard way to go but you can do it. I'll check back later to add if I think about it. Ain't had coffee yet

[Jokarva]

We had our old oak cabinets painted last year, they were turning orangey and look so much better now.

When they were done I used a wipe-on poly to protect the finish. If you aren't handy I'd really recommend this (Minwax brand) to protect your stain, it is so easy to use it's goof proof. I've put it on all the furniture I've painted or stained for years.

If you haven't used stain before make sure you practice on scrap wood, there is a learning curve to it.

[TNHermit]

Got my coffee Trying to get ready to can cukes. So were in swapped worlds

Deft has good products to. We use their lacquer in spray cans for repair and touch up

They have a FAQ here
http://www.deftfinishes.com/Trade/Support/

You can get to the rest of their site from there

One thing you want to remember is all you rags should be lint free.. Saves a lot of hassle
Where they call for "tack rags" you can make your own buy taking a little thinned finish and working it in to ta rag. or buy a pack at the hardware.

Are your cabinets pine or hardwood. If pine you will have to put a precoat of thinned finish on to prevent blotching before staining.

Don't use to course of sand paper I would start sanding with 120-150. Other wise you will have nice scratches that telegraph. Aslo try and go with the grain at all times. If you have to cross grain sand then do it firt with a finer grit then go back and sand with the grain.

And as everyone else has said practice on scrap first. Its well worth the time

I'll stop here and let you digest. Any tips for canning cukes

[PrettyPaisley]

Okay-so it sounds involved. I have to sand them first? How do I know if they are sanded properly? I've never sanded before.

I don't know what kind of wood they are. Cheap is about all I know. They were off the shelf unfinshed from Lowe's. Oak? Does that sound right?

So could I do this one section at a time? Is there a way to get the spots off the counter top first? I have several spots where I've set jars while canning down and they've left a mark.

Now I know why I've not tackled this yet! Maybe I'll do this when it's winter and there is nothing to do outside. It doesn't sound like much fun!

Thanks!

PS: No tips for cucumbers other than don't slice your finger like I did last night. Lost a huge hunk of my fingertip.

[TNHermit]

Originally Posted by PrettyPaisley

Okay-so it sounds involved. I have to sand them first? How do I know if they are sanded properly? I've never sanded before.

I don't know what kind of wood they are. Cheap is about all I know. They were off the shelf unfinshed from Lowe's. Oak? Does that sound right?

So could I do this one section at a time? Is there a way to get the spots off the counter top first? I have several spots where I've set jars while canning down and they've left a mark.

Now I know why I've not tackled this yet! Maybe I'll do this when it's winter and there is nothing to do outside. It doesn't sound like much fun!

Thanks!

PS: No tips for cucumbers other than don't slice your finger like I did last night. Lost a huge hunk of my fingertip.

The fun comes when your done and have done it for yourself!!

Anyway the are probably birch so the will need a prestain. (just a word ) What do you have for a counter top. I'm unclear about that. So can't give you info till I know.
No need to get in a tizzy unless Chuck is going to shut the place down You can just take it a step at a time. Ask questions here. PM whoever
The first thing you have to do is get some cleaner and clean them. You can start just doing one cabinet at a time and stopping at a seam. Start someplace less noticeable till you get your Rembrandt hand Then you sand them. The way you tell how you did is to wipe some thinner on and see if you see any marks. Stains is something you'll have to work on with pics if they are bad. ITs hard to tell you just how to get them outwithout seeing them. They could be water or grease. IF you sand to much you will go through the veneer. Will you sand by hand or do you have a sander. We'll just start there.

I would suggest you decide on colors and finish. Get some small cans and start on some scrap and play till winter if you want. Usually when you find out you can do it you will redo the rest of the house.