Strip the cabinets

First strip the cabinets. Remove all the old finish from them. This is usually done with a chemical stripper of some kind. Most cabinets are fine if you just use a regular safety stripper on them. Just make sure you get all the old finish off before you proceed to the next step.

Patch holes
Patch any holes, scratches, and nicks with wood filler. Give it plenty of time to dry. When they are dry, then sand them lightly to smooth out the great patchwork that you did.

Sand
When sanding, sand with a fine, wet sandpaper. It is good to even use aluminum oxide sandpaper because its grit material lasts longer. When you sand make sure you do it very lightly and smooth so the cabinets are nice and clean.

Clean the surface
Clean the surfaces with solvent or furniture cleaner. You can even use a sanding sealer, which seals the wood so the stain goes on evenly. Just make sure you have it clean before continuing, or the finished product will not look good at all.

Finish
Pick out a wood finish that you would like to stain your cabinets. As you apply the stain make sure you go in the same direction and apply a layer at a time. Do not pour stain directly on the wood, first apply it to your rag and then smooth over the surface with it. This will make for a nice finished product.

If you have decided that you do not want to do all those steps and re-stain your cabinets, then you can always paint them. Re-painting your cabinets can also be a great way to update your home. You can paint the doors of your cabinets which will give them a completely different look and it is easier than refinishing them.

Another great way to make your cabinets look nice and new is to replace all the hardware. After doing all that hard work, you don't want to leave on your old and grimy hardware. Get new hardware to match the new finish or the new paint. By the time you are done your cabinets will look like you had new ones put in.

In following these tips for refinishing cabinets, you will create beautiful new cabinetry for your home. You don't need to completely replace your cabinets if they have been taken good care of. It is nice to know that you can save money and still add a new look to your home. Refinishing cabinets can be a daunting task if you don't do it right, so make sure to follow these tips before starting your next refinishing project. Get started on creating your new cabinets today!