Adding new stain to wood cabinets is one of the most cost-effective ways to give your kitchen a fresh look. It is also a great DIY project and can increase your home’s resale value.
A proper cabinet stain requires thorough prep and careful application. The type of stain you choose will greatly influence the final results. Visit San Jose Cabinet Refinishing for more details.
End Grain
For woodworkers, the quality of staining results is dependent upon a variety of factors. One of the most important is a wood species’s absorbency. Some species have a very porous end grain while others have relatively small pores which can make the difference between a good and bad outcome. A wood’s texture and grain pattern also affect stain absorption.
End grain is the wood surface that appears when a plank is cut across its growth rings. This surface is beautiful and exposes the character of a wood’s ring structure. It is also durable and resists nicks and gouges well. For this reason, butcher blocks are traditionally made from end grain wood. End grain wood is also a great choice for countertops and cutting boards.
The large pores in an end grain surface can make the wood more receptive to stains than a face grain or edge grain piece of lumber. However, this same characteristic can also be a drawback when it comes to gluing end grain wood together. Wood glues work best when the wood has a similar moisture content (MC). Differences in MC between end-grain pieces of wood can cause them to expand and contract at different rates. This can lead to a weak joint which can be unsightly or even dangerous.
As a result, many wood professionals recommend sealing the end grain of a project before beginning. This is especially true when working with a very porous species like hickory or elm. Using a wood sealer can help slow the absorption of water by the end-grain and may make the difference between a successful and unsuccessful glueing project. Another option is to use a sizing such as mineral oil, butyl, or carpenter’s wax. This sizing can be applied to the wood as an initial step prior to applying a full-strength glue. This is a method that was first suggested in old handbooks before the 19th century and does improve the strength of mitered joints. However, it should be noted that this type of reinforcement does add to the total time required for a project and is not a foolproof method.
Face Grain
Cabinet refinishing requires a lot of patience and careful work to achieve beautiful results. However, the wood used to make your cabinets and their natural grain patterns can create unique challenges for finishers. Understanding these challenges can help you hire the right professionals for your refinishing project.
Grain is a feature that identifies the direction that fibers in a piece of wood move, and it is what creates patterns and textures. There are three kinds of grain in wood: face, edge, and end. Most cabinet doors have face grain, while end grain is often found in furniture and flooring.
The face grain of a board is its most visible side, and it usually features the most beautiful patterns and color variations. It is also softer and more susceptible to knife marks. If you look at the grain of a face grain chopping board, you will see that the veins are tangential to the growth rings, which is why they can easily show knife marks.
Face grain boards are more dimensionally stable than edges and end grains, but they are not as durable. Consequently, they require more care and maintenance than end-grain or edge-grain products. They can be more difficult to stain because the grain is angled and may not absorb stains evenly. This makes them more prone to cupping, which is an issue that can impact the overall appearance of your cabinets.
Another challenge that can affect the final results of your cabinet refinishing is the amount of moisture in the wood. Having too much moisture can cause problems for adhesives when gluing edge-grain and face-grain pieces together or between end-grain pieces. It can also interfere with proper curing of the finished product.
Another factor that can impact the quality of your new finish is the cleanliness of the cabinets when your refinishers begin their work. Refinishers should carefully clean and degrease the surface of your cabinets before they apply any new products. This can ensure a smooth and even surface for the new paint or stain, as well as prevent any potential issues with adhesion.
Transparent Grain
A common question homeowners have is whether they will still see the grain after painting their cabinets. This isn’t just an aesthetic concern, but it determines how much a project will cost and if replacement or paint is a viable option for their kitchen upgrade. The good news is that if your cabinetry is made of solid wood, you’ll likely be able to retain the natural texture and feel with a fresh coat of finish.
The key to this is thorough preparation before the new finish is applied. This includes detailed cleaning and degreasing, sanding to a smooth surface, and making repairs as needed. It also involves using a stain or glaze that will not only highlight the grain but enhance its character.
Semi-transparent finishes are a popular choice, because they allow the grain to shine through, while adding a modern flair and warm color. This style can easily work with a wide range of design styles from rustic to contemporary, so it’s ideal for homeowners who want to show off their cabinets’ natural beauty.
Those who prefer a more subtle look can use a gloss or satin finish that will provide an elegant sheen and minimize the appearance of the grain. This type of finish will not only look more refined, but it will also be easier to keep clean and resist moisture and stains.
If you’re unsure about what type of finish to choose, you can consult with a professional refinishing company to get a better sense of the possibilities. They’ll be able to show you examples of different colors and finishes, and answer any questions you have.
When choosing a clear coat for your cabinets, it’s important to consider the quality of the product used. Low-quality products may not adhere well or hold up to wear and tear, requiring additional refinishing in the future. The best quality clear coats are typically 2K polyurethanes, which are designed to offer long-lasting protection for your cabinetry.
Cabinet refinishing is an affordable and transformative way to update your home. It’s particularly appropriate for those who have solid-wood cabinets, which can often be refinished for less than it would cost to replace them.
Dark Grain
Many older homes were built with cathedral, arched and shaker style cabinets. These are stunning in their own way but can look dated in modern settings. If you’re considering restaining your cabinetry to a lighter shade to update the look, there are some important factors to consider before starting your project.
First, you will need to sand your cabinetry to prep it for a new finish. This can be a daunting task but it is necessary to ensure you get a smooth, professional finish. If you choose to sand with power tools, be sure you use a degreaser before you start. This will help to make sure all of the grease and grime is buffed away. After sanding, it’s a good idea to wipe down all of the surfaces using a clean cloth soaked in denatured alcohol or acetone. This will remove any remaining dust, grit and oil and prepare the surface for a fresh stain.
The next step is to decide if you want to restain or paint your cabinets. If you’re restaining, it’s best to use a gel stain as it won’t hide the natural texture of the wood. Gel stains are thicker and can be manipulated to provide an even color overlay while still allowing the grain pattern to show through. You will also need to choose a color that will complement the current finish.
If you’re refinishing your cabinets and you want to keep the natural wood grain visible, a tinted 2K poly is an excellent option. Tinted 2K poly will preserve the feel of the wood and allow its natural texture to shine through while adding a vibrant color. This finish is durable enough for a busy kitchen and comes in a variety of sheens to suit your taste.
Generally, when brewing beer, dark grains are added during the mash cycle to add acidity and bitterness. However, mashing these grains can be a challenge because they can extract bitter astringent tannins and can raise the pH of your mash. Gordon Strong recommends cold steeping these dark grains separately from the mash to avoid this effect.