Restore wood kitchen cabinets
We have done several articles that deal with painted cabinets, but not everyone wants to paint their wood kitchen. A wood kitchen is not only beautiful to look at it also adds a value and unique character to a home.
Over time wood furniture can become dull and lifeless, so it is extremely important to take extra care with any wood pieces you may have in your home. Restoring kitchen cabinets can require a great deal of patience and effort but the final result is more than worthwhile.
YOU WILL NEED:
Soft cloth
Mineral turpentine
Rubber gloves
soft, lint-free cloths
Toothbrush
Toothpicks
Screwdriver
Woodoc steel wool, fine
Woodoc antique wax
HERE'S HOW:
1. Apply mineral turpentine to a soft cloth and wipe the entire cabinet clean. A thorough cleaning may be all that your kitchen cabinet needs to be restored to its original look. If further attention is required, use Woodoc steel wool dampened with mineral turpentine to lightly rub the surface to remove any remaining residue.
DIY Tip:
Use a toothbrush and toothpicks to gently scrub away any residue from the small crevices and details in the wood cabinetry.
2. Over the years you may find that the cabinets have built up layer upon layer of wax that is blocks the wood and results in a dull appearance. If mineral turpentine and steel wool does not solve the problem, you can use a heat gun to remove excess wax.
Take extreme care not to burn the wood when using a heat gun. Work from a distance of at least 30cm away from the surface and have the heat gun set on the lowest heat setting.
3. If there are scratches and dents that need to be repaired, you can use an epoxy-filler such as QuikWood, or wood filler, to sort these out. When using QuikWood, leave a 1mm space at the top so that you can apply a layer of wood filler - in matching tint - to cover up.
4. Before waxing your cabinets, if you want to apply a stain now is the time to do it. The new range of Gel Stains from Woodoc allow you to change the colour of your cabinets.
5. To protect wood furniture you need to apply a protective wax layer. Woodoc Antique Wax protects and brings out the natural beauty of wood. Apply the wax with a soft cloth and gently rub it into the cabinetry. Wait a few moments and then polish the wax into the wood The wax polish should bring the wood on the cabinet back to its best appearance.
6. Examine your kitchen cabinet, checking for any hardware that might be missing from the wood pieces. Hardware such as hinges and handles can be found at specialist stores, or shop around at antique stores and secondhand shops for vintage cabinets. When replacing new hardware, take care not to accidentally scratch any of the wood.
