Refinishing Glazed Kitchen Cabinets

Refinishing your glazed kitchen cabinets is a great way to restore the antique look that they originally had while adding a fresh, clean look to the room. It is a time-consuming task that requires some attention to detail, but it is not complicated and it can be accomplished by most people within a day or two.

Remove the Hardware

Use the screwdriver to remove the hinges and knobs. They can be cleaned up and reinstalled when the task is complete or they can be replaced to match the new style or design. Either way, remove all of them and leave them out of the way.

Sand

Sand the entire glazed kitchen cabinet, inside and out. Be sure to remove all of the current glazings; otherwise, the new coat will not adhere to the surface. When sanding the corners, be sure to use a small piece of sandpaper to reach between the cracks.

Clean

Use a damp rag and clean the kitchen cabinet. If there are any grease stains left, be sure to scrub them. Use a degreaser if needed. Remove all of the dust particles off the surface and from the corners. Thoroughly clean any cracks or chips. Allow the cabinet to dry before continuing onto the next step.

Prime

After the surface has been prepared and has had time to dry, begin applying the primer. Use a paintbrush to coat the edges and around the corners. Then use a small roller to complete the main surface areas.
The primer coat serves as an adhesive coating to the cabinets, allowing the paint to fully adhere. Do not stress if the primer coat does not cover in a uniform fashion because it is not necessary, as long as the entire cabinet has a primer layer.

Glazing

After the primer has had time to dry, apply the glaze. Begin cutting in the edges and corners with a brush. Finish the project by using a small roller. Be sure to coat the cabinet uniformly so that everything is coated evenly. Allow it to dry, then apply a second coat onto the cabinet.

Attach the Hardware

Allow the glazed kitchen cabinets to dry completely overnight before attaching the hardware and hanging the doors back. Do so by using a screwdriver and replacing the hinges and knobs in the proper places.

You can usually use the existing holes, but if they have become slightly oversized, either use a slightly bigger screw to secure them into place, or apply a small amount of wood glue into the hole before installing the screws. Once the glue dries. it will form a solid anchoring point that will eliminate the play that many older cabinets have.