Remove Hardware

• Remove cabinet doors and drawers and all attached hardware. It will be almost impossible to refinish cabinets effectively without breaking them down. Soak the hardware in a cleaner such as Greased Lightning or Mean Green. Dilute the solution and allow the hardware to soak for a few hours and rinse it when finished. Keep the dried hardware in plastic baggies so that you can refasten later, unless you are planning new hardware, in which case you can dispense with the cleaning.
  
  

Sand and Prepare

• Remove the old finish and coloring with sandpaper. Place the doors and drawers on a comfortable work area--sawhorses with plywood as a top will do. Sand the faces of the cabinets using coarse-, medium- and fine-grit sandpapers. Make sure the room is properly ventilated with a fan. Wear a dust mask when sanding. Sand the doors and drawers using the same method as used with the cabinet faces. After you have finished sanding, spray a fine mist of water over the cabinets, doors and drawers, which will raise the grain. Resand with a fine-grit paper, and always sand in the direction of the grain. Sanding across the grain will damage the wood surface. You can use an orbital sander instead of hand sanding. Regardless of which method you choose, make sure you use coarse and medium papers to remove the finish, and fine papers for smoothing the surface.
  
  

Painting and Staining

• Apply a wood conditioner to the cabinets before you recolor with stain. If you are painting the cabinets, simply prime them before painting. Wipe the stain onto the cabinets using a cotton rag--old T-shirts work well. Remove any excess stain with another rag. Your color depth can be achieved in several coats, so it won't be necessary to try and get all of the color at once. Follow the drying instructions on the can for drying time. Recoat as many times as you like to achieve your desired shade. Use a fine bristled brush to apply the finish. Finishes, and stains, for that matter, come in oil- or water-based mixtures. Your paint store clerk can help you decide which kind is best for your job. Apply the first layer of finish, satin, semigloss or gloss, and allow it to dry. Sand in between coats for a smoother finish. For paint, apply the primer with a fine bristle brush, allow to dry, and then color with desired paint. Latex interior, flat, egg shell, satin, semigloss or gloss, is the best choice for interior use.