Can You Strip and Stain Pickled Wood Cabinets?

Stripping

• 1

  Cover countertops, appliances, floors and doorways with plastic sheeting to isolate cabinets and prevent dust and paint from migrating to other parts of the house. Secure with painting tape.

• 2

  Mix ½ cup trisodium phosphate with two gallons of water. Use a sponge to wash cabinets thoroughly with the cleaning solution.

• 3

  Remove knobs and handles from cabinets by loosening screws that hold them in place. Remove drawers, cabinet doors and hinges. Keep hardware together in a plastic bag.

• 4

  Apply a chemical stripper to the cabinets and doors according to manufacturer instructions. Allow time to set.

• 5

  Rub off stripper, varnish and paint with steel wool.

• 6

  Apply another coat of chemical stripper to the cabinets. Allow time to set.

• 7

  Scrub wood with brass bristled brush to lift remaining pigment from the wood grain.

• 8

  Wash stripper off cabinets using TSP cleaning solution (1/2 cup trisodium phosphate with two gallons of water). Scrub with a natural bristled brush.

• 9

  Rub 120 grit sandpaper in the direction of the grain on all cabinet surfaces.

• 10

  Sand cabinets a second time using 220 grit sandpaper.

Staining

• 11

  Use a damp rag to remove dust from wood surface immediately before each new application.

• 12

  Apply a pre-stain wood conditioner to the cabinet surfaces following manufacturer guidelines.

• 13

  Apply oil-based wood stain evenly over the cabinet surface using a foam brush. Keep a dry rag handy to mop away extra stain, pools or drips.

• 14

  Allow cabinets to dry for 24 to 48 hours before applying a second coat of stain.

• 15

  Allow stain to dry completely. Finish with a clear, polyurethane finish. Apply extra coats of clear finish on drawers and corners where wear is more likely.

• 16

  Slide drawers into place. Reattach hinges and hang cabinet doors. Screw on knobs and handles.