After Refinishing the Kitchen Cabinets Part II

After you have taken care of your Kitchen Cabinet refinishing project, there are some more details you can attend to that can accentuate the job and add even more value to your home. It just depends on how much money you want to spend, and how bad you need them.
The very next thing you will want to do after refinishing your Kitchen Cabinets, will to be choosing and installing new hardware. Since you had to remove the hardware to refinish the Kitchen Cabinets in the first place, it makes it all that much easier to install new hardware when you put them back together.
Home Improvement stores have a selection of knobs and hinges that you wouldn’t believe. The choices are literally in the thousands!! There is every color and style you could imagine. Just keep in mind the general theme or other décor of your Kitchen when choosing these components. It will actually be fun to shop for these items, and after you have installed them, you won’t believe the difference the new hardware will make on the appearance. They will look like completely different Kitchen Cabinets!!
The next thing you might want to consider, although there is generally more costs involved than the previous steps of the project, would be installing a new countertop, sink and fixtures. These are all details that yet the “novice” handyman can do. And if you have succeeded at refinishing your Kitchen Cabinets, you will have more of a desire to use your new found skills in replacing the countertop, sink, and fixtures.
Choose what looks best and use your best judgement on what type of material to use for your countertop. Of course your budget will be one of the deciding factors, as there are many levels of countertops to choose from. You will want to shop this item before making a final decision. Materials like marble can be expensive, but generally lasts forever. Formica countertops are probably the best value and are easy to install. Check to see if the countertop you are buying has the “sink hole” already cut. If it doesn’t, you can cut the opening yourself and save even more money. There are a few guidelines to follow when making the cut. Make sure your measurements are correct, then trace an outline of the sink to the backside of the countertop. Using duct tape, tape around the hole on the formica side along the traceline to keep it from splintering when you make the cut. From there, its easy. Just make sure you use the proper jigsaw blade for a smooth cut.
When choosing a sink, there are generally 2 types that are most popular. If you choose a ceramic lined sink over stainless steel, keep in mind that they can “chip” which can be ugly, especially if you try repair it. Stainless Steel sinks are the best value for the money.
When choosing fixtures, don’t skimp. A few extra dollars here will be well spent, especially if you don’t plan on moving for a while. Like the hardware, fixture choices are numerous, so take your time and get something that will enhance the look of your newly updated Kitchen Cabinets and countertop, and to suit your needs as well. When choosing fixtures, pay attention to the manufacturers warranty. The old saying “you get what you pay for” applies here.

Kitchen Cabinets - New or Redo?

When thinking about doing a remodeling project to increase the resale value of your home, two areas of the home come into the picture, Kitchens and Bathrooms.
There are many levels to making upgrades to these areas, but the single most important element that comes into focus would be your Kitchen Cabinets.
Kitchen Cabinet upgrades can be expensive, and if you are working on a shoestring budget like most people these days, don’t run out and get a Home Improvement loan and put your equity in “hock” for Kitchen Cabinets without considering a few of the alternatives.
Of course the first alternative would be going out to your local Kitchen Cabinet wholesaler after doing some careful measuring and take on an installation project that might be a little overwhelming to the “regular Joe”. Unless you have had some experience in this type of work, or you’re the “Handyman Type” , installing new Kitchen Cabinets can be a little daunting.
First, do an inspection of your Kitchen Cabinets to see what your most economical approach would be. If you live in a pre World War 2 home, and your Kitchen Cabinets are made out of steel, chances are they are still usable and the “Vintage Look” is making a comeback. If your Kitchen Cabinets are made of wood, check for any “rot” or damage that would render them unusable. Check for gaps between the walls and the cabinets, and make sure the drawers are in good working condition and slide back and forth easily without binding.
Once you have determined that the Kitchen Cabinets are still in good “Functioning” order, the following options should be considered. Depending on how much money you can afford to invest into your Kitchen Cabinets directly relates to the level of “disrepair”.
One option is to have “fronts” installed. In this process, the complete frontal of the Kitchen Cabinetry would be replaced along with matching doors and new hardware. This option is much lower in cost than replacing your Kitchen Cabinets, however it does allow for a variety of different finishes, and gives the look and feel of brand new Kitchen Cabinets for about a third of the cost. This is not usually a project that the homeowner would take on himself and hiring a contractor that specializes in this type of work would be in order.
If after careful inspection, if you have determined that your Kitchen Cabinets are still functional, you may want to consider refinishing them yourself. This is a project that even the most “novice” handyman can do, and you can save a ton of money.
If your Kitchen Cabinets are made of steel, simply wash the Kitchen Cabinets with soap and water, then sand them down with a very light grit sandpaper followed by steel wool. Using a “tackcloth” for a final wiping. Then depending on your favorite method, you can either spraypaint (which can get messy from overspray) or brush paint the Kitchen Cabinets.
If your Kitchen Cabinets are made of wood, use a combination of bleach, linseed oil and hot water to clean them first. This will remove any grease and gunk buildup over the years that maybe in the grain of the wood.
After you have prepared the surface of the Kitchen Cabinets for
refinishing, make sure that you use the right tools and the right paint for the job. Make sure to go to a paint store or home inprovement store that can make the correct decision on the type of paint you will want to use. You will want to choose a color that will match the décor of your home. Equally important is the type of brush you will be using. You will want a brush that will give a smooth finish and that will not show any brush strokes.
If, after cleaning your wooden Kitchen Cabinets, you decide you want a “natural finish”, you might consider staining them, followed up by a coat or two of polyurethane.
You will be surprised when you find out how easy it is to refinish your Kitchen Cabinets, and even more surprised at the new look you have created!!