Has anyone restained kitchen cabinets?

[golfgal]

Our cabinets are in excellent shape but I would just like to update their look some. They are your typical 90's oak and I would like to make them a shade or two darker. Do I need to strip them down to bare wood? I read somewhere about gel stain where you could just buff the cabinets and apply the gel stain. It goes on similar to paint as it covers what is there. Is this true and would this be a good idea?

 

[petchie]

I gel stained my 80's oak cabinets and they look great.

First you have to make sure you get them squeaky clean with no residue. I cleaned them with the no rinse TSP. Then I lightly scuffed/sanded them. Then wiped with mineral spirits.

I stained with a dark Zar gel stain. let it set a few days. Then I wanted even darker and used Howards Restore-A Finish on them. Then used the Feed -n Wax on them. (should do that again!)


It was 2 years ago and they still look great.

 

[snowy76]

No advice, but great question, golfgal! Been thinking about this myself. Thanks, petchie, for the tips!

 

[petchie]

I modified this procedure on HGTV http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/paint-technique-gel-stain/index.html

I did not remove the doors from the cabinets. I had never put the original hardware on, so I did not have to remove that either. I purchased new hardware and put that on once it was all hardened. I used the Restore-A Finish in place of the polyurethane. Did not feel like dealing with that!

As I said, it was done 2 years ago, and is holding up well. I also painted my countertops, but that is a whole 'nother story.

 

[golfgal]

I modified this procedure on HGTV http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/paint-technique-gel-stain/index.html

I did not remove the doors from the cabinets. I had never put the original hardware on, so I did not have to remove that either. I purchased new hardware and put that on once it was all hardened. I used the Restore-A Finish in place of the polyurethane. Did not feel like dealing with that!

As I said, it was done 2 years ago, and is holding up well. I also painted my countertops, but that is a whole 'nother story.

Do you have pictures of your kitchen? Thanks for the help, too!

 

[petchie]

I have pictures, but am technically impaired and do not know how to get them online. I think I could email them if you want to PM me an email address.

I forgot to take any before pictures though, but since they are standard 80's construction oak I am sure you know what they looked like. (and my countertops were country blue from the 80's as well- ick)

I think like you do. There is no need to replace something that is perfectly good if you can rehab them. I figure once I get tired of the dark cabinets and if they are still in as good a shape, I will paint them before I replace them.