Refinishing Old Cabinets: Essential Materials for Homeowners

Refinishing Old Cabinets: Essential Materials for Homeowners

Cabinets and Countertops
By Contractors.com Team March 23, 2023

If you are tired of your old and worn-out cabinets, refinishing them can be a cost-effective way to give them a fresh new look. Refinishing cabinets involves sanding down the old finish, applying new stain or paint, and installing new hardware. It can be a time-consuming process, but with the right materials, it can be an easy DIY project.

In this article, we will discuss the essential materials you need when refinishing old cabinets.

Sanding Materials

Before you can apply new stain or paint to your cabinets, you need to sand down the old finish to ensure a smooth surface. The sanding materials you will need include sandpaper or an electric sander, a sanding block, and a tack cloth to remove dust particles.

Stain or Paint

After sanding down your cabinets, you can either apply a new stain or paint to them. Staining allows the natural wood grain to show through, while painting covers the wood completely. Choose a color that complements your kitchen's overall color scheme. You will also need a paintbrush or a roller to apply the paint or stain.

Protective Gear

Refinishing cabinets involves working with harsh chemicals and dust particles. Protect yourself by wearing gloves, safety glasses, and a dust mask to avoid inhaling dust particles or chemical fumes.

New Hardware

New cabinet hardware can give your cabinets a whole new look. Consider installing new knobs, handles, or pulls to match your cabinets' new finish. You will need a screwdriver to remove the old hardware and install the new one.

Primer and Sealer

If you are painting your cabinets, applying a primer will help the paint adhere better and prevent the wood from absorbing moisture. After applying the primer, seal your cabinets with a sealer to protect the paint from chips and scratches.

Cleaners and Solvents

You will need cleaners and solvents to clean your cabinets before and after refinishing them. Choose a cleaner that is safe for your cabinet's material, and use a solvent to remove any stubborn paint or stain residue.

Refinishing old cabinets can give your kitchen a fresh new look without the expense of replacing them. However, to achieve the best results, you need the right materials. By having the essential materials such as sanding materials, stain or paint, protective gear, new hardware, primer and sealer, and cleaners and solvents, you can create a beautiful and durable finish on your cabinets.

Need help with a home improvement project? Enter your zip code and get a free quote today!

Written by
Contractors.com Team

Written by Contractors.com Team

Welcome to the Contractors.com Team, a group of passionate individuals dedicated to helping homeowners achieve their dream home through the best-in-class service providers and inspiring content.


We believe that every homeowner deserves to have a home that they love, and we're committed to making that a reality. Whether you're looking to remodel your kitchen, renovate your bathroom, or build your dream home from scratch, we've got you covered.


When it comes to creating content, we take a multi-faceted approach. We gather insider tips from experts in the home service industry, and do our own thorough research to write informative and engaging articles that are tailored to our readers' needs. At the same time, we harness the power of A.I. and GPT-3 technologies to generate titles, headlines, and even entire articles that are optimized for SEO and designed to provide value to our readers.


We're committed to providing the best possible service to our readers, and we're always looking for ways to improve. Whether you're a homeowner looking for inspiration or a service provider looking to join our network, we're here to help you achieve your goals.

comments