Staining Oak Cabinets

Is the color of your golden oak cabinets fading? If so, you can update the look by staining them or even changing the color entirely. The materials you need include a screwdriver, sand paper, paint, paint stripper, stain, a roller, and polyurethane for the top coat.

First, remove the doors of the oak cabinets with a screwdriver, unscrewing the hinges. Put the hinges aside to avoid the stain and to more easily find them when you are ready to replace them. Also, you should remove all of the hardware from the doors of each of the oak cabinets to avoid drips from the stain.

Next, remove the existing stain from the cabinets and doors. Use paint stripper, a sander, or a heat gun to remove the stain or paint. If you apply paint stripper, let it sit for a while, and then scrape it off with a plastic scraper, a piece of old cloth, and an old toothbrush. If you're experienced with using a sander, be careful to avoid sanding the wood itself.

Next, apply the new stain. You should use a brush to apply the stain so that it is evenly coated. Remove any excess stain, and clean any drips.

Finally, apply a polyurethane top coat. Put the doors back on and replace the hardware, and your oak cabinets should look like new.