Anyone have experience with cabinet resurfacing
- Thread starter mulls
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No experience with it here, but my opinion is that if the cabinets are of good quality (real wood or plywood, no particle board) and of a design you like, then it makes sense to resurface/refinish them instead of replacement - esp. if the replacement could be of lower quality materials.
My own kitchen has good quality cabinetry - all wood or plywood, no particle board - I've replaced most of the drawer glides (the originals wore out) - and plan on eventually refinishing the faces of the cabinets in place. They are a birch veneer (or so I've been told) with a walnut stain. The varnish has worn off in areas subjected to water splash (below sink, near hand towel rack) so I'll be sanding, restaining, and then refinishing with a more water-resistant urethane varnish. The trick might be to match the new stain/finish with the existing stuff, since not all of the exposed wood needs to be redone (it contains a cooktop peninsula with a lot of exposed wood surfaces).
My own kitchen has good quality cabinetry - all wood or plywood, no particle board - I've replaced most of the drawer glides (the originals wore out) - and plan on eventually refinishing the faces of the cabinets in place. They are a birch veneer (or so I've been told) with a walnut stain. The varnish has worn off in areas subjected to water splash (below sink, near hand towel rack) so I'll be sanding, restaining, and then refinishing with a more water-resistant urethane varnish. The trick might be to match the new stain/finish with the existing stuff, since not all of the exposed wood needs to be redone (it contains a cooktop peninsula with a lot of exposed wood surfaces).
What sudsmaster says is right. If you have good, solid cabinets
to start with vs. the new (unless you pay-through-the-nose-trash)
you are probably better off going with the resurfacing - though
I'm not overly enthused with a veneer over the old. But then
the powers-that-be believe perception (fake) is as good as
reality (quality). Hmmm, maybe I'm going over the edge - how
mamy margeritas does that take?
to start with vs. the new (unless you pay-through-the-nose-trash)
you are probably better off going with the resurfacing - though
I'm not overly enthused with a veneer over the old. But then
the powers-that-be believe perception (fake) is as good as
reality (quality). Hmmm, maybe I'm going over the edge - how
mamy margeritas does that take?
Good quality
Sudsmaster,I too have the problem of the color being worn away in some areas.My cabinets are really well made,but are too dark for modern tastes.I am doing a kitchen update with new countertops and appliances so thinking about doing cabinets too...
Tom
Sudsmaster,I too have the problem of the color being worn away in some areas.My cabinets are really well made,but are too dark for modern tastes.I am doing a kitchen update with new countertops and appliances so thinking about doing cabinets too...
Tom
neptunebob
Well-known member
As Sudsmaster says, only if the original cabinets are in good condition. We had our cabinets resurfaced, but they were cheap ones to begin with. Now, part of base cabinets sag and and the formica top is cracked and if I had an 6000 dollars I would buy all new cabinets. That, by the way, is how much my parents paid to have the resurfacing done by a company that soon went out of business. The resurfaces doors and edges are very sharp and cut people a few times. Plus, we have the original insides which weren't in such good condition so now some of the shelves are falling down. Overall, you might be happier with new cabinets.
Another thing I don't like - these "bath fitter" makeovers for bathtubs. They leave the old material - which has mold, odors and probably pests - behind the new plastic. When I did our bathrooms over I "debrided" and removed all the old material. The rooms smell much better because the mold is gone. It's just like in nursing, you don't put a bandage over a dirty wound, They remove -"debride" - the infected material down to fresh tissue. Oh, sorry, I better stop now.
Another thing I don't like - these "bath fitter" makeovers for bathtubs. They leave the old material - which has mold, odors and probably pests - behind the new plastic. When I did our bathrooms over I "debrided" and removed all the old material. The rooms smell much better because the mold is gone. It's just like in nursing, you don't put a bandage over a dirty wound, They remove -"debride" - the infected material down to fresh tissue. Oh, sorry, I better stop now.
I'm faced with the same issue. My cabinets were custom made on site and are really quite nice, but 23 years has takena toll on them and eventually was going to begin investigating what could be done. I think the original cabinet maker is still in business here, I have to verify with the builder, who is still around!! I personally like my oak stained cabinets. Call me out of date.
good advice
appnut and NeptuneBob,My cabinets are really well made,no sagging,and the drawer slides work great.My contractor(and friend-next door neighbor)says I won't get the same quality unless I spend a ton.I have v ery mild color loss on the cabinets under the sink-my wife is short,and I think it has been caused by her rubbing against them while washing dishes.Other than that,our only complaint it they are a little dark.We are going from a dark countertop to an off-white tile,and from black appliances to SS,and I can't figure out if this will make the cabinets look lighter or darker.There is a company called Kitchen Tune Up that offers to strip all the years of dirt and grease off,color the areas that are faded,and seal them.Might try that.
Tom
appnut and NeptuneBob,My cabinets are really well made,no sagging,and the drawer slides work great.My contractor(and friend-next door neighbor)says I won't get the same quality unless I spend a ton.I have v ery mild color loss on the cabinets under the sink-my wife is short,and I think it has been caused by her rubbing against them while washing dishes.Other than that,our only complaint it they are a little dark.We are going from a dark countertop to an off-white tile,and from black appliances to SS,and I can't figure out if this will make the cabinets look lighter or darker.There is a company called Kitchen Tune Up that offers to strip all the years of dirt and grease off,color the areas that are faded,and seal them.Might try that.
Tom
Tom,
A reputable company will be happy to do one cabinet first. It will be (relatively) a lot more expensive than the whole set but then you will know.
A friend of mine here in the US has been looking closely at cabinets to replace her 30 year old kitchen units. She has found nothing new which even comes close in quality at a reasonable price. She figures, if she spends 250$/cabinet on taking down, refinishing, new hardware, rehanging she is still ahead of the game.
Taking the cabinets down makes sense in hygienic terms and also gave her a 'reason' to tell her husband they could update to spot lighting...after all, the walls and ceiling would be exposed so no problem...
As for the SS appliance fronts, they don't reflect nearly as much as you might think. Try covering your current appliances with some aluminum foil,the dull side out. That will tell you what you want to know. Personally, if I ever make the mistake of going with SS anything again, I have asked my boyfriend to shoot me. Can you say 'always looks dirty/streaky/dusty/greasy? Sure you can...
A reputable company will be happy to do one cabinet first. It will be (relatively) a lot more expensive than the whole set but then you will know.
A friend of mine here in the US has been looking closely at cabinets to replace her 30 year old kitchen units. She has found nothing new which even comes close in quality at a reasonable price. She figures, if she spends 250$/cabinet on taking down, refinishing, new hardware, rehanging she is still ahead of the game.
Taking the cabinets down makes sense in hygienic terms and also gave her a 'reason' to tell her husband they could update to spot lighting...after all, the walls and ceiling would be exposed so no problem...
As for the SS appliance fronts, they don't reflect nearly as much as you might think. Try covering your current appliances with some aluminum foil,the dull side out. That will tell you what you want to know. Personally, if I ever make the mistake of going with SS anything again, I have asked my boyfriend to shoot me. Can you say 'always looks dirty/streaky/dusty/greasy? Sure you can...
more good advice
Panthera,thanks for the input-Probably the light countertops will have more effect than the SS appliances-failed to mention I am also doing new lighting so that may help too.We love SS-especially my wife.It cant be much harder to keep immaculate than the black-many gallons of windex used there!
Tom
Panthera,thanks for the input-Probably the light countertops will have more effect than the SS appliances-failed to mention I am also doing new lighting so that may help too.We love SS-especially my wife.It cant be much harder to keep immaculate than the black-many gallons of windex used there!
Tom
whirlcool
Well-known member
Cabinets these days are extremely expensive. We checked out some pain white wood cabinets for our small kitchen, and the cost came to $17K, including a small island.
A few years ago my sister paid Sears $12K to refront her cabinets. They ended up looking pretty much the same as they did before the work was done. And she had a small kitchen too.
We are looking at Ikea next, I have heard that their cabinets are pretty good quality for a great price.
A few years ago my sister paid Sears $12K to refront her cabinets. They ended up looking pretty much the same as they did before the work was done. And she had a small kitchen too.
We are looking at Ikea next, I have heard that their cabinets are pretty good quality for a great price.
whirlcool
Well-known member
I forgot this tidbit.
Remember, if you are going to resurface/renew your cabinets it's always best to make sure you do a great surface prep before recoating/revarnishing, etc. This makes all the difference in the world!
Remember, if you are going to resurface/renew your cabinets it's always best to make sure you do a great surface prep before recoating/revarnishing, etc. This makes all the difference in the world!
whirlcool
Well-known member
It was for 18 feet on one side and 12 feet on the other, uppers and lowers. Doors had tinted green glass panels in them. All solid wood.
hooverwheelaway
Well-known member
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