Cabinets see a lot of action in a kitchen. Frequent scrubbing with cleaning products and daily use can lead to scratches, dents, and fading paint.
Fading paint is a clear sign that it’s time to refinish your cabinets. Sunlight, steam, and other sources of moisture can cause paint to fade. Contact Cabinet Refinishing San Jose CA for more information.
Moisture Damage
Cabinets get a lot of wear and tear, especially in high-traffic areas like kitchens. But if the wear starts to go beyond surface damage, it’s time for a professional to take a look. Ignoring signs of structural problems will only worsen them. For example, slamming doors or a cabinet’s constant creaking can be a sign of loose hinges, shifting cabinets, or water damage. Professional refinishing will address these issues, giving you a safe and reliable surface that holds up to daily use going forward.
A common sign that your cabinets need refinishing is moisture damage, often caused by old paint or wood warping due to frequent exposure to moisture and changing temperatures. Moisture damage in cabinets isn’t just a cosmetic issue, it can also lead to more serious mold and mildew growth, and structural issues that can be difficult and expensive to fix. Refinishing can help by addressing the problem at its source, stripping away the existing finish and prepping the surface, then applying a new coat of moisture-resistant paint to your cabinets.
Surface damage is another clear sign that it’s time to refinish your cabinets. Scratches, dents, and stains can leave your cabinets looking dull and dated, making the rest of your kitchen look drab and unkempt. Plus, ignoring them can lead to more serious structural problems that are expensive and time-consuming to repair.
Repainting can bring your cabinets back to life, restoring their smooth, attractive appearance. It can also cover up color inconsistencies that might be caused by fading over the years, or blotchy spots from cleaning products and cooking residue.
While it’s important to keep up with regular cleaning to keep your cabinets looking good, you should refinish them once every 10 years or so to protect them from moisture and temperature changes. Refinishing can help you avoid expensive repairs down the road, and a professional service like N-Hance of Wooster will restore them to their original beauty at a fraction of the cost of replacing them.
Dirty Surfaces
The surfaces of cabinets can accumulate dirt, grime, and grease from food preparation and handling. These conditions are particularly common near handles and high-touch areas. Fortunately, cleaning cabinets is simple and effective, especially with the help of a degreaser like trisodium phosphate (TSP). When used as directed, TSP emulsifies grease, allowing it to wash away easier than with soap alone. The best way to prevent greasy surfaces from interfering with your refinishing project is by thoroughly cleaning the entire surface area before beginning the process.
Once the surfaces are clean, sand them with a medium-grit sanding sponge or a random orbital sander. Scuffing the surface gives it “tooth” for better adhesion of the new finish, reducing the likelihood of peeling or chipping over time. After sanding, use a shop vac to remove dust particles and a tack cloth to wipe down the cabinet for a smooth finish.
Before refinishing, it’s a good idea to apply a high-quality primer to the cabinet surfaces. Primer provides a solid base for the top coat, promoting proper adhesion and an even appearance once your refinishing is complete. Choose a bonding primer that is suitable for wood and adheres well to most existing finishes.
A good quality primer also reduces the amount of paint needed for a full refinishing job, which may be necessary if your cabinet’s current finish is very dark or worn. A high-quality wood filler can also be applied to any damaged or void areas of the surface. Once the cabinet surface is prepared, it can be refinished using a high-quality water-based latex, such as KILZ 3 Premium.
Fading or Discoloration
If your cabinets start to look dingy or out of place with the rest of your home, it’s time to bring in a professional. Surface problems, like fading or outdated styles, can snowball into bigger issues that require costly repairs or even replacements if ignored. A refinishing job doesn’t just hide these signs of wear; it also creates a stronger, more resilient surface that will hold up to daily use more effectively going forward.
Cabinets are exposed to a lot of wear and tear, especially in the kitchen. Frequent opening and closing of doors, food stains, and constant contact with steam and heat can all take their toll. The finish, whether it’s stain or paint, helps protect the material from moisture damage and other threats, but if that finish starts to deteriorate, it’s time to call in the professionals for a refinishing job.
A common early sign that your cabinets need refinishing is a change in the color. Sunlight, steam, and everyday use all take a toll on painted surfaces, and the color may fade over time, leaving your cabinets looking dusty or yellowed. Repainting your cabinets will not only revive their appearance; it will also help ensure that the new coat of paint is resistant to moisture and other damage.
Over time, slamming and catching can cause cabinet hardware to loosen or shift, and that could mean it’s time for a refinishing job. When the hardware starts to give way, it’s no longer just a nuisance; it can also expose the wood to moisture damage and make it more difficult to open and close doors. A refinishing job will not only address these minor cosmetic issues, but it will also ensure that the hinges and hardware are strong enough to support your cabinets through years of regular use.
The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in any home, and it’s no surprise that it takes a beating from day-to-day use. Even though it’s easy to overlook small signs of damage, those little flaws can add up over time until your cabinets begin to look shabby and outdated. Taking the steps to bring in a professional for a refinishing job can save you the cost of a full kitchen remodel and keep your cabinets looking and functioning their best.
Sticky or Greasy Layers
Cabinets are the backbone of the kitchen, setting both the style and functionality. Over time, a combination of age, daily wear and tear, and even minor damage can leave them looking tired and worn. When you’re ready for a change, refacing and refinishing are two standout options.
Both have their strengths, but it’s important to consider your kitchen’s condition and your long-term goals when choosing between them. Refacing offers a complete transformation that can dramatically boost your home’s value and transform your daily routine, while refinishing is a cost-friendly option that delivers a simple color refresh.
Whether you decide to reface or refinish, be sure to take the time to prep and clean thoroughly before you get started. This will help ensure a smooth and even finish that won’t chip or flake. We recommend putting on some disposable latex gloves, pouring a little TSP Substitute on a rag, and giving your cabinets a good cleaning to remove any residue and dirt before painting. You’ll also want to make sure to mask off any areas you don’t want to paint, as well as cover any electrical sockets and handles that should stay in place. If you skip this step, it’s easy to accidentally paint over the door number or other important details.