Expert: Eileen Cronk - 2/21/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello- I currently have oak cabinets in our kitchen which are stained and appear to be sealed. I would like to strip them and stain them a cherry color to enhance the kitchen. I would also like to replace the hardware. Do I have to fill the holes from the previous hardware? What would be the best process for this. Thank you.

ANSWER: Hi Ed
Nice to hear from you.
As long as the new hardware will be positioned in the same place and the holes on the new match the old you do not fill.
Hopefully this is the case, but if not, I first plug the holes with small wood dowels glued in, then apply some filler on the surface that shows.
Sand after that of course.
I find this method is best as straight wood filler just doesn't cut it. And get dark wood filler if the final cupboard color is going to be dark and vice versa. This colored filler comes in a wide range of color choices.
Funny enough, I find oak cabinets are the only wood that this hole filling can be made practically invisible. I guess its the heavy grain that helps.
These small dowels are available at some wood stores, but at craft stores for certain. Take along a drill bit that fits snugly in the hole for a size guide.
Not sure if you want stripping advice here Ed, but get back to me if you do.
Regards
Eileen





---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Great thank you. I do need some stripping advice as well.

Answer
Hi Again Ed
Sorry I missed that.
Here are my standard stripping instructions.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRIPPING
The first thing you must do is assemble the material to do the job.
The stripper is the most important item.  
I am hoping you can get "CIRCA 1850" brand paint and varnish remover in your area.
Here is a link
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=1694&familyN

Ed as I have no idea what the finish is on these cupboards or the age of the finish you may need to use something different than paint stripper to remove it.
Explanation...The finish of your cupboards could be lacquer.
It is my experience that paint stripper removes all older lacquers, but not newer lacquer.
To remove newer lacquer we need lacquer thinner.
So a test will be needed. I would just get a very small tin of each to see what removes the finish.
The following is the directions for using paint and varnish remover.


MATERIAL LIST For the stripping stage.
1 gallon stripper
3 boxes of Bull Dog steel wool in medium grade.
One 3 inch oil based paint brush.
Rubber gloves (like you do dishes with), and a pair of cotton gloves inside the rubber ones.
People react differently to stripper. A lot of people feel heat through the rubber gloves, but I feel cold. Have no idea why.
An empty large coffee can. (for the stripper)
A couple of old tooth brushes.
Lots of old rags (I like t-shirts or cotton but for this first stage whatever you have)
Lots of newspaper to protect the garage floor
LOTS OF VENTILATION..A MUST
That's all you need to get started.
HERES WHAT YOU DO...
Work in sections. Perhaps one door at a time.
Brush on the stripper with the brush. Stripper will quit working if it dries, so keep it wet till the finish softens.
Then take a rag and wipe this mess off.
Then another coat of stripper, rag off again, then while the wood is still wet, take the steel wool and rub with the grain till the wood is nice and clean.
Use the toothbrush in crevices.
Thats all there is to it ...move to another section and continue.
No other prep is necessary...and DO NOT SAND
When the stripping is complete, stain the cupboards and apply 2 coats of a poly.
I like Minwax fast drying poly in a low luster.
I feel shiny shows every finger mark.

The instructions for using the lacquer thinner to remove the finish are basically the same but often you will need to use the putty knife to scrape. It just depends on the lacquer. Sometimes it just dissolves completely with one coat of thinner, sometimes it takes three. The thinner quits working too if it dries so keep it wet to dissolve all the finish.
And do a test of the stain color you want to be certain you like it. Test on a door back.
Please let me know if anything is not 100% clear.
This is a big job but certainly one that you can accomplish.
Good Luck
Eileen