| 1. Remove old doors and hinges from old | | | | using utility knife or router. |
| cabinets. | | | | |
| | | | 3. Next laminate returns of cabinets, using |
| 2. Remove drawer fronts from each drawer. Set | | | | the same process described above. |
| drawers aside. There are two types of drawer | | | | |
| fronts. The type that is merely attached to | | | | 4. Cut cabinet refacing skin into strips for |
| the drawer box can be removed by the removal | | | | stiles and rails with grain running the |
| of the attaching drawer pulls, screws or | | | | length of the strip. Again, cut strips 1/4" |
| staples. The front that is an integral part | | | | larger than needed. |
| of the drawer box must be cut or sawed off, | | | | |
| making sure that the cut is square with the | | | | 5. Laminate cabinet fronts. Apply cabinet |
| top, bottom and sides of the box. | | | | refacing skin strips exactly as cabinet is |
| | | | stilled. Laminate vertical stiles first, then |
| 3. Cabinet preparation: Old screw holes or | | | | horizontal rails. Keep all seams as tight as |
| gaps in the frame work should be filled with | | | | possible. |
| either auto body filler or wood filler and, | | | | |
| when dry, sanded smooth. All surfaces to be | | | | 6. Rather than proceeding according to |
| refaced with any type of cabinet refacing | | | | directions 4' and 5 above, you may use full |
| material must be scraped clean of chipping | | | | sheets of laminate. Apply to cabinet fronts, |
| paint, grease or varnish. To accomplish this | | | | then break through with trimmer and router to |
| you can use on automatic belt sander or a | | | | trim opening. Both methods are acceptable. |
| hard paint scraper. A propane torch can be | | | | Using strips will, of course, save on |
| used on troublesome spots to "lift" the | | | | materials; covering the entire front of the |
| substance from the framework (use with | | | | cabinet with a full sheet will save on labor |
| caution). | | | | and result in a better lamination since no |
| | | | seams will show on stiles and rails. |
| 4. Should you have a corner cabinet | | | | |
| situation, it may be necessary to add a | | | | 7. Regardless of the manner employed in |
| filler strip. If you have decided that an | | | | refacing the front of the cabinets, left |
| opening is slightly too large and you wish to | | | | cabinet refacing skin overhang whenever |
| add a filler strip, do it after you scrape | | | | possible. |
| that surface. Use a piece of clear pine cut | | | | |
| to size. Secure it with nails or screws. Fill | | | | 8. Remove any excess oak skin from cabinets |
| in any seams with filler and sand smooth. At | | | | with a utility knife or router. |
| times you will need to square off surfaces | | | | |
| using 1/4" core (i.e., cabinet bottoms). | | | | 9. Cabinet lamination is now completed. |
| Reveals at side returns should be shaved off | | | | |
| or area filled in with 1/8" or 1/4" luan skin | | | | Hardware Application |
| or plywood so that surface is smooth for | | | | |
| lamination. | | | | To install new doors effectively the |
| | | | installer must plan and organize the entire |
| Lamination | | | | job. Place new doors face down on a soft work |
| | | | area. Measure equal distances from top and |
| 1. When all framework is prepared and free of | | | | bottom (usually between 1" and 3") and place |
| foreign matter, the cabinet refacing | | | | hinges at these locations. The aid of a hinge |
| laminate, wood veneer or thermo-foil skins | | | | marking jig can save time that is expensive. |
| can be applied. If working from a full sheet | | | | Start holes for flat head screws by first |
| of 2' x 8' skin cut the material for cabinet | | | | using a pilot drill bit. Screw on hinges |
| bottoms and returns 1/4" larger than needed. | | | | using electric or manual screwdriver. |
| Make sure grain on under side of wall | | | | |
| cabinets run all the same way. Grain on | | | | Make sure that hinges on all doors are the |
| cabinet returns should run vertically. | | | | same distances from top and bottom. When |
| | | | installing hinges do not over-tighten screws |
| 2. Laminate underside of wall cabinets first. | | | | in order to prevent stripping of screw holes. |
| Apply the manufacturer recommended adhesive | | | | |
| on both cabinet and cabinet refacing skins. | | | | Now attach new doors to framework by having |
| Use a roller or brush, where needed. Let the | | | | someone hold the door in proper place (use |
| adhesive dry to the touch. Apply cabinet | | | | human eye to level). Screw hinges to |
| refacing skin to cabinet surface. Remember | | | | framework, do not over-tighten screws and |
| that once material is applied to the cabinet | | | | again use starter holes. |
| it cannot be realigned. Use good judgment and | | | | |
| a hand roller or block of wood to press | | | | Finally, install knick-knock shelves, desired |
| laminate to cabinet. Trim excess material | | | | molding, toe-kicks, etc. |