refinishing: Articles tagged with “refinishing”

Wood is perhaps the most practical of all flooring materials. But over time, the protective finish may wear off. This occurs most noticably in heavy traffic areas, or you may decide to freshen up the finish of a wood floor that's been hidden under carpet for years. Also, applying a modern new finish can make hardwood floors much easier to maintain than when they were originally installed.

Q: We have lived in our home for about eighteen months and I have already had to stain the floor of our wraparound porch twice. I understand that the elements play a huge part in this problem but it is a covered porch. Right now we have it stained with an exterior oil based solid stain.

Q: We need to repaint the interior of our home. At the same time, I would like to have the trim work painted white. Also, I would like new base molding. The carpet is being replaced and the hardwood floors are being refinished. Any hints to keep costs down? How much more expensive is it to paint woodwork compared with refinishing what is there?

If the grout around your tile is stained and dirty, but you don't feel like digging it out to replace it, try applying a stain.

Refinishing old, damaged or out-of-date bathtubs and other plumbing fixtures, tile and plastic laminate counter tops is the most economical and efficient way to revitalize your kitchen or bathroom, at a mere fraction of the cost of replacement. Replacement involves not only the cost of the new fixture, but also the time and money spent replacing the wall, tile, wallboard, tile floor and subfloor, plus pipes and hardware which are damaged during the removal of the tub.

Many older pieces of furniture are well-made and can be restored for far less than it costs to buy equivalent new furniture. Here are some tips.

Furniture refinishing can make old, scarred furniture look new or different. It is done to remove paint and refinish with stain to see the grain of the wood, to change the color lighter or darker, to make one piece match another or to finish raw, unfinished wood.

Q: I am retired and have a lot of time on my hands. I have a living room that has hardwood floors. I have lived in the house over 30 years and the floors have been kept clean and waxed but they really need a refinish job done. I would like to attempt it but I don't know where to start and what to do.

Q: Going with the new trend, we removed the wall-to-wall carpeting in our home, built in the late fifties. We've lived here 25 years and ignored the hardwood flooring that we knew existed under the carpeting. The hardwood is in decent shape, although a few boards will have to be replaced due to stains and water damage, particularly next to a bathroom where a toilet overflowed.

My question is about the living room where there are dark areas around some parts of the floor perimeter as if at one time someone had an almost wall-to-wall rug. Someone suggested that those dark areas are wax build-up. One product that I bought, Bruce Clean and Strip, had no effect in changing the color. Can you tell me what might cause that darkening of the wood finish and if there is a remedy, short of refinishing?

Q: The hardwood floor in our house is old and needs to be refinished. My mother-in-law thought it would be okay to mop it with Murphy's oil soap and then add a coat of lemon oil. The lemon oil stained very unevenly, and I'm not sure how to remove it. Any suggestions on how to remove the lemon oil in the wood?

Q: I have kitchen cabinets which were refaced several years ago. Is it now possible to repaint these cabinets and doors white? If so, what preparation work do I need to do, what kind of paint would you recommend, and would I be best brushing or spraying the paint on?

Q: Our house was built in the 70's, and I'd really like to change the look of my kitchen. The cabinets, although in good, solid condition, look dark and dated. What are my options?

Many people today are opting for a lighter, fresher look in their old kitchen cabinets. The most expensive choice would be to replace the cabinets completely. Another option would be to reface the cabinets. This involves applying a new wood veneer to the cabinet bases and installing new doors and drawers.

Q: I am renting an older mobile home that has an ugly green bathtub and bathroom sink in it. They are made out of metal and I would like to repaint them if possible. What paint should I use and how do I do it?

Q: Is there anyone you can recommend for painting my oven? I recently remodeled my kitchen, and instead of buying a new oven to match my new refrigerator, I'd rather paint it if at all possible.

Appliance refinishing is the process of turning an older, sometimes antique, stove or refrigerator into a newer looking model. Sometimes refinishing an appliance can save time and money, compared to replacement.