Expert: Eileen Cronk - 1/16/2010

Question
I need to refinish oak cabinets and was looking for a good reference book, tape, web site on how to do it. Also can you give me a quick process...the key here is the stripper and it's usage. Do I sand also ? I have 25 feet of 8 ft tall cabinets to do.

Answer
Hi Kevin
Nice to hear from you.
Stripping cupboards is no different than stripping furniture..just a heck of a lot more work.
So any book that details stripping furniture would be fine.
But there is no need to purchase books. Its a straight forward job (in your case a BIG straight forward job LOL).
But if your up for the work you can do it. I have done several sets.
The most important consideration will be the final outcome. By that I mean can you get the cupboards to look the way you want them.
So a test is recommended.
Greg Scholl another expert here recommended doing a door through the whole process as a test and its one of the best pieces of advice I can pass on to you.
So strip a door, stain it and apply your finish. The back of a door is OK too.
Here are the stripping instruction that apply to your cupboards.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRIPPING FURNITURE or Kevins cupboards
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...
Kevin if this brand is not available to you ask at your hardware store for an MC stripper. There are other brand names besides Circa.
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.
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.
Depending on the material you are removing, another coat of stripper is often needed but you will know this as you progress into the job.
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
Next is your stain choice then your top coats.
Please let me know if anything is not 100% clear.
Good Luck
Eileen