HELP ! Refinishing oak cabinets

[JIM HERNANDEZ]

Hello all, I need some advice on refinishing my daughter's oak kitchen cabinets. They are currently a light honey oak finish and she would like them refinished in a dark finish. Spraying is not an option because the face frame and carcases have to be done onsite. The doors will be removed and done in my shop. My current thinking was to scuff sand with 220 grit sandpaper, apply a coat of Zinsser's sealcoat, then a dark glaze followed by topcoats of varnish brushed on. However, I am open to any advice on how to properly do this. Thanks in advance for you help.

Jim

[Phil Phelps]

Can't you spray the doors in your shop? I'd do that and brush the face frame and carcass.

[Jamie Schmitz]

As long as you are going to darken them you would not necessarily have to refinish. If they are sprayed with lacquer you could respray with a toned clear. What you do is add a aniline dye to the lacquer (build color slowly so you do not get a stripping effect). A little tricky if you are a novice but way easier. The face frames could be brushed with toned brushing lacquer.