How to Reface Kitchen Cabinets with Plaster

Reface your old cabinets and give them a new look. Using plaster, a trowel, and some paint can help you spruce up your cabinets. Some other items you may need are masking tape or painters tape, stencils, plastic wrap, glaze, sandpaper, and Polyurethane.

Start by thinking of a pattern or design that you could create with plaster. Decide which design is best for your cabinets. You can also find some great color ideas by looking at home improvement magazines. White cabinets provide great contrast for bold colors. Plus, you can glaze over the white paint to bring out the texture or design you have created.

One design idea is to use plastic wrap. After you spread on the plaster, spread out plastic over the plaster. Then, carefully pull off plastic to make a wavy design. Another idea that you could try is to use a stencil by troweling plaster inside the stencil. Once the stencil is pulled up you will have a raised design. For a simpler design you can use masking tape to make a big square in the center of your cabinet doors. Plaster the areas all the way up too and around the masking tape. Then, pull off the tape slowly for the pattern. Make sure to step back and review or adjust your design as you work. Create visual interest and keep your border consistent in size for all the cabinets and drawers.

Lastly, you could just simply spread the plaster on with a trowel for an even clean look. Remember not to apply the plaster too thick. Thick lumps of plaster will crack. Be sure to let the plaster dry completely. When the plaster dries some small cracking could occur. If this happens just sand the area until smooth. You may want to practice any of these techniques on a piece of plywood or board.

Remember to Plan your layout and use masking tape if necessary to mark the area you will be working with. Determine what materials you will need to complete your project. Pick your paint colors or whatever you will be using before you begin. Use the design element of your choice to your advantage.

Once you have completed your designs on your cabinets let the plaster completely dry. Next, lightly sand your surface and paint. You will also need to buy a clear acrylic polyurethane sealer. You can find this at any home improvement store or paint store. This will be the last step to apply over your painted area. This will help protect the surface of your cabinets.

Be creative and keep your design simple. Pick out interesting colors for your paint. You can use other painting ideas like faux finishing techniques and glazing. Selecting new handles for your cabinets will also add great interest to your design. Any of the ideas will help your old cabinets look like new.

Resources:

Sherwin Williams

www.victorialarsen.com/plaster%20stencils/plaster_Cabinet_Stencil_Bamboo.htm