Homeowner Forum / Cleaning / December 2005

I had the same problem with my dark junky old cabinets.  A few years back I
finally decided to paint the cabinets white using an oil - based semi -
gloss paint.  It took about ten or so days because I had to apply a LOT of
paint, these old cabinets soak it up so I had to apply three or so coats.
But the cabinets look pretty good now and they are easy to keep clean, it
was a cheap way to get "Euro - style" cabinets.  For some reason dark
kitchen cabinets really work my nerves, I much prefer white - looks sleeker
and cleaner and things are much easier to find in the back of white cabinets
than in dark...

If this is an option for you, go for it.  Your landlord will probably
appreciate your effort, check with them (and they may even help supply the
paint)...

As for simply cleaning try that old stand - by ammonia, you can't go wrong.
Also I wonder if the TSP (tri - sodium phosphate) that is used to cleanse
and prepare surfaces in preparation for painting would work in ridding the
gunk?

You can clean them with odorless paint thinner that can be purchased in any
paint store or hardware store.  It will remove the greasy cooking film.
Then you can wash then with TSP (or Spick-N-Span or one of the TSP
alternatives like JoMax) that is also found in the paint department.  Of
course, it won't make them look like new.  After they are clean, you might
try using a product by Minwax called "Wood Sheen."  It comes in many colors
and is a combination stain and finish that you rub on with a soft cloth.  It
will help revive the look of the cabinets after they are clean.  Another
alternative is a products called "Restore-A-Finish."  It is also available
in a variety of colors and is a liquid that is applied with a soft cloth.  I
have used both on wood and fake wood with good results.  The Wood Sheen is
probably better for fake wood and is easier to find as Minwax products are
sold everywhere.

I once refinished the cabinets in a rental.  If you are up to it and your
landlord agrees, it can make them look like new.  Refinishing is more than a
weekend project if you are going to do it right.  I also refinished my
cabinets in my home a couple years ago.  I had them stripped.  Then, I
sanded and primed them.  The next step was two coats of oil-based paint.  I
then mixed an oil-based glaze and wiped that on.  Finally, I applied two
coats of oil-based polyurethane. You can see some pictures here:
http://tinyurl.com/86aqr