Cabinet Refinishing · Oct 2019
Cabinet doors stripped and sanded in shop
Cabinet doors stripped and sanded in shop. These are before, in-progress and after photos from the job, taken Oct 2019. This cabinet refinishing project was done by Larry Gaytos and the My Personal Painter crew. We are based in Florence, Kentucky, and our work is covered by a 2-year touch-up warranty.
Before and After Photos
Painted Cabinet Doors Stripped Back to Bare Wood in Our Shop
These cabinet doors came into our shop with an old cream painted finish and a darker glaze settled in the grooves around each arched panel. The before photo shows a door on the bench with a scraper and a sander cord beside it, and an edge where the paint has started to come away. In progress, the cream paint and glaze are gone from the center panel, and the bare wood grain shows through in light and dark streaks after a first pass with a palm sander. Some old finish still clings to the panel edges and profiles. The last photo shows a full rack of doors hanging from hangers and tape on a rolling rail, all stripped to a warm brown wood tone with white flecks left in the routed edges. These doors are now ready for detail sanding, priming and a new finish.
Our Steps for Stripping Painted Cabinet Doors
- We removed the doors and hinges at the house, labeled each one, and brought them to our shop so stripping could happen away from the kitchen.
- A paint stripper was brushed on and given time to soften the old paint and glaze. We worked in a ventilated space and protected the benches below.
- Softened paint was lifted with scrapers and detail tools. The arched panel edges and routed profiles need extra time, since paint packs into those grooves.
- Once most of the finish was off, we sanded the flat surfaces with a palm sander to open up clean wood and remove leftover residue.
- Stripped doors were hung on a rolling rack to dry. From here, we hand-sand the profiles, clean the dust, and prime before any new color goes on.
Paint Colors Similar to the Cream Finish These Doors Started With
These are similar colors to consider for refinishing cabinet doors like these. They are not the exact color that was on or used on these doors.
Sherwin-Williams Creamy SW 7012
A soft cream close to the old finish on these doors. It suits arched cabinet doors in a traditional kitchen with warm counters.
Benjamin Moore Simply White OC-117
A clean, bright white for a fresh start after stripping. It gives arched panels a crisp look without the old yellowed cast.
Benjamin Moore Classic Gray OC-23
A pale warm gray that reads almost white. It would give these stripped doors an updated look while staying soft and light.
Questions About Stripping Painted Cabinet Doors
When do cabinet doors need to be stripped instead of painted over?
Stripping is needed when the old finish is peeling, cracking, too thick, or badly bonded. Painting over a failing coat means the new paint will fail with it. If the old paint is sound and well bonded, cleaning, sanding and priming are often enough.
Why is stripping done in a shop?
Strippers and sanding create mess, dust and odor. A shop has the space, racks and ventilation to do the work safely. It also keeps your home clean and lets doors lie flat while the stripper works. Cabinet boxes stay in the kitchen and are prepped separately.
Can stripped cabinet doors be stained instead of painted?
Sometimes. Paint and glaze can soak into the wood grain and corners, so stripped doors may still show traces of the old finish. That is fine under paint but can look blotchy under stain. A test door is the best way to see how the wood will take a stain.
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