How to Stain Pickled Cabinets
- 1). Remove the doors from the cabinet box. For most cabinets, you will remove the screws from the hinges with a screwdriver. If your cabinet doors have handles, remove them as well. Set the hardware and handles aside. Take the doors outside and lay on a dropcloth.
- 2). Clean the doors and the cabinet box with all-purpose cleaner to remove all dirt, oils and buildup. Wipe the components down with a microfiber cloth.
- 3). Pour paint stripper into a metal can. Pour stripper from the can onto one of the doors. Using a clean paintbrush, cover the surface with a thick coat. Repeat with the other doors. Brush stripper in a thick coat over the cabinet box.
- 4). Wait 10 to 15 minutes. When the pickled stain appears wrinkled, scrape it off, starting with the first door to which you applied stripper. The white stain should come off easily, but if it resists, allow it to sit for another five minutes. Scrape off all components of the stain and stripper.
- 5). Flip the doors over and apply stripper to the other other side, wait, then strip as before.
- 6). Soak a cloth with denatured alcohol and rub on all the surfaces to clean. When the alcohol has dried, lightly sand the surfaces of all the components, then clean again with a damp cloth. Allow the cabinets to dry completely.
- 7). Stir the stain and apply with a brush, starting with the first door. When all the doors have been stained, go back to the first door and wipe each with a clean rag. Repeat on the other sides of the doors and the cabinet box.
- 8). Allow the cabinet components to dry overnight before reinstalling the doors.
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