How to Finish Antique Black Cabinets
- 1). Remove the doors and drawers from the cabinet faces. Make a numbered map of the kitchen cabinets on a piece of paper. Mark each cabinet with a small piece of tape, indicating its original location and where it should be returned.
- 2). Clean the cabinets thoroughly. Use a degreasing cleaner to wipe all grime and grease from the surface of the cabinets. Any oils left behind on the surface of the cabinets will interfere with the paint and cause it to peel over time.
- 3). Sand the cabinets with medium grit sandpaper. Use the sandpaper to rough up the texture of the cabinets and create some tooth for the paint to grip. Sand the door and drawers as well as the cabinet frames. Wipe away any sanding dust with a damp rag.
- 4). Paint the cabinets with black paint. Water-based latex paint is the best choice. Apply the paint to the corners and crevices of each door and drawer with a trim brush. Follow with a smooth foam roller. Foam rollers provide thin, even coverage with minimal texture. Apply two to three thin coats of paint because thin coats are more durable than one thick coat. Allow each coat to dry completely before adding another coat.
- 5). Sand the edges with medium grit sandpaper. Use firm pressure to remove the paint from the raised portions of the cabinet in selected areas. Focus on those parts of the cabinet that would be subjected to wear and tear. Distressing cabinets is done to give the appearance that the cabinets are aged and weathered. Wipe away sanding dust.
- 6). Apply stain to the exposed wood. Dip a clean rag into stain and wipe the stain onto the areas that were previously sanded. The bare wood will look more aged and authentic with dark stain on the exposed areas. Allow the stain to dry.
- 7). Allow the cabinets to cure for seven days before reattaching the doors and drawers. Touch up any scratches or dents with black paint and a small touch-up brush.