How to Refinish Cupboards in a Beach Theme
- 1). Prepare the work surface for this project, as it gets messy quickly. Cover the floors with old sheets or dropcloths. Prepare a work area that is well-ventilated but covered, as rain can quickly damage drying cabinets.
- 2). Use a screwdriver to remove the doors from each cabinet. Using a market and masking tape, give each door a number and mark it on the door. Mark the same number on the cabinet box, suggests the Chicago at Home website. This makes it easier to return the correct door to the correct box. Place the hardware, hinges and screws for each cabinet into a zippered plastic bag and label it with the same number.
- 3). Load the hand sanding machine with 120-grit sandpaper. Using slow even streaks, remove the old stain from the cabinet doors, as well as any damage from wear and tear. Sand down to the bare wood. Be sure to replace the numbered tape so the organization remains in place.
- 4). Remove any items from inside of the cabinet boxes. Measure about 1 inch inside of the cabinet, from where the doors would be attached. Use painter's tape to attach plastic sheeting to the top (or ceiling) of the cabinet box. Stretch the plastic sheeting to the bottom (or floor) of the cabinet box. Use painter's tape to tape it in place. The finished sheeting should form a protective barrier to help prevent debris from getting inside the cabinets during sanding.
- 5). Repeat Step 3, sanding the cabinet boxes rather than the cabinet doors.
- 6). Paint the cabinet doors and boxes with a wood primer. Use long even strokes with a paint roller to keep the paint even on the surface. Allow all the primer to dry completely before moving on to the next step.
- 7). Paint the cabinet boxes and doors with the sandy colored paint. Use the same even strokes used to apply the primer, but be sure to use a clean paint roller. Allow the paint to dry completely.
- 8). Apply a second coat of paint, if necessary, and allow to dry completely.
- 9). Reattach the cabinet doors to the boxes. Replace the original hardware with new, beach-inspired pieces. Find cabinet knobs and pulls that resemble shells, anchors, boats or seahorses.