How to Use Deglosser on Kitchen Cabinets -7 Easy Steps

Have you ever given a thought to your old kitchen cabinets? Are you thinking of re-installation or renovation?

Well, if you are planning to go for the second option, I hope you know the frugal way will take a bit of effort. And it’s a must for you to understand how to use deglosser on cabinets.  Let me share a small backstory regarding the refinishing of my cabinets.

So, it had been years with no work on my cabinets, and I started noticing that they were wearing out soon. And my budget was strict as well.

Hence, I gave a thumbs up to the refinishing option. For this, the most essential for me was using a deglosser because the surfaces were not that irregular to sand, and I needed the work to move faster.

It’s so much easier and effortless than sanding. Why don’t you take a look at the simple steps?

What is the necessity of a Sander Deglosser?

For doing some refinishing, you can either choose sanding or deglossing.

“What is deglossing?” you need a clear understanding of this. Deglossing is used to dull previously done varnish, paint, or gloss, preparing the surface for a new finishing.

As you know, sanding is needed to smoothen irregular surfaces; it evens any pits or wooden chunks poking through the surface. But if the surface is regular and smooth enough, you would consider liquid deglosser a better option for it.

Liquid deglosser also creates a larger bonding area so that when you apply a new finish, coat of paint or varnish, it doesn’t chip off easily.

How to use Deglosser on Cabinets: 7 Simple Steps:

Without further adieu, let’s get to the point. Let me show you how to use deglosser on kitchen cabinets in a few easy steps-

Step-1: Protect the floor

Before you start deglossing the cases, you will need a more substantial area to put down the hardware to work with precision.

Let me tell you what I did. To start with, I ensured the protection of the floor; I was going to work on keeping the hardware chemical solution; As it might damage the floor material.

I used some builder paper and frog tape to stick the paper to the floor. If you are thinking about the expenses, don’t worry, the paper is quite cheap, and you can keep it for future use as well.

Step-2: Remove the cabinet doors and hardware

For effective results, you cannot degloss the cabinet surfaces by keeping them attached to the cabins and expect it to work just fine.

So, here’s what I did-

I removed all the cabinet doors and hardware one by one. To be honest, this step was surely not one of my favourites because it involves a ton of stress and effort. But you know what you have to do, keep going!

I also preferred taking off the hinges from the door as well because I’m sort of a precision worker. I definitely need to give a flawless refinish to the cabinets.

Step-3: Wash with TSP Substitute beforehand

After you are done with the detaching of hardware, washing them with a TSP substitute is a good idea.

“Why do I need a TSP substitute?”, you may ask. Basically, the idea is to remove any sort of finger oils or grease from the surfaces for the new finish to bond better with the plain.

I preferred KRUD KUTTER TSP Substitute because it mostly looked like a safer option.

This step is elementary. Pour some TSP substitute on a rug and scrub the cabinets with them in a circular motion for optimum outcome.

Step-4: Keep track of the hardware to prevent confusion

So many doors and hinges! If you just keep them scattered, when you install them after the work, it would be a hugely frustrating task as there is a maximum possibility of confusion.

I used some colorful tapes to keep the hinges and screws of the respective hardware together. And I marked the doors as well with numbers as to which one goes where.

You can adopt any means convenient for you to keep on track. I just preferred the taping method; well, the attractive colors of the tape might be a reason as well.

Step-5: Use the Deglosser

It is time, folks! Let use our deglosser now.

[Must Read:6 Best Deglosser for Cabinets – Reviews and Buying Guide]

Since deglossers are chemical solutions, so before I used one, I needed to be convinced about the safety issues.

The Klean-strip liquid deglosser felt safer for my project. So I started working with it.

Before working with the liquid sander, I made enough scopes for ventilation by opening all the doors and windows. Okay, we are ready!

• Take a clean cloth or rug. I used scouring pads.
• Pour some deglosser on it
• Rub efficiently on the cabinets doors and hardware
• Remember to carry out the process in a circular motion for a better finish

Step-6: Take some time

After the application, you need to give it about 15-20 minutes to dry completely. Without complete drying, it will not give you the desired result. So just take some time.

Step-7: Wipe it off!

When you are that the hardware is completely dry, take a wet rug or clean cloth and wipe off any residue.

And see miracles happening! Any layer of gloss and sheen will wipe away that easily. Guess what? You are done with the process. I bet how to apply deglosser to cabinets isn’t a big deal anymore!

You can now apply any kind of Best finish or paint over the surfaces, and they will give better results than you imagined!

What are the necessary precautions you need to take?

As you are working with chemical content, you need to ensure safety first.

• Put on your safety goggles.
• Wear your gloves, which are easy to dispose of later. I prefer nitrile gloves.
• Ensure proper ventilation throughout the house.

Which one is better for kitchen cabinets? Sanding or Deglossing?

It is quite usual having skeptical opinions about the liquid sander deglosser. Trust me; even I felt like it was too good to be true when I heard of it for the first time.

A quick read to the possible advantages of using a deglosser rather than a traditional sander will help you believe the wonders of this product.

Less of the mess!

Are you aware of what sanding on a relatively large area could look like? Well, you can see a layer of dust everywhere you look. Especially, sanding in a larger home project would mess up your beautiful house, and it might just resemble a dust desert!

The thing with a deglosser is that it barely leaves any residue or dust; It means you don’t have to give a struggling cleaning to the rest of the house after the application.

Boost the speed of your work:

Not just the effort and mess, but sanding takes loads of time. Hours and hours of rubbing and wiping the surfaces, tiring, isn’t it?

The wonder product deglosser takes a maximum of 15-20 minutes to get the work done, which would take hours in case of sanding.

And the rubbing days are gone! You just need to apply the deglosser, wait for a while, and wipe off the residue later.

Any old paint or varnish will disappear and leave a perfect surface for a new coat of finish.

Ensures safety:

Since sanding involves the generation of loads of dust and wooden bits, it is hazardous as it goes everywhere!

Whereas, using a deglosser will not generate any residue and will not damage or harm the surroundings. Though the solution includes chemical content, if you are wearing your safety glasses and gloves for the small period of application, it’s somewhat safer.

Easy on the intricate details:

If you have any intricate detailing on your cabinets, how is sandpaper supposed to work on it? That’s where you need a deglosser for giving the surface, including the detailing a perfect finish.

Therefore, it is clear that if you have even and regular cabinet, using deglosser rather than sandpaper or sander is a much better idea.

Final Thoughts:

Hey, now you know how to use deglosser on cabinets. It shouldn’t be a problem anymore. But before you think of deglossing, you cannot underestimate the sanding process if your cabinets need some smoothening.

I’m hoping you have read the instructions well. They are just straightforward to follow, right?

So, look at your kitchen cabinets first and, according to an overview of their condition, start the processing.

Last Updated on October 1, 2024 by Rogers Weber

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