How to Make Kitchen Cabinets Look Glossy & Shine – 5 Quick Ideas

Do you want to add shine and elegance to your kitchen cabinets? Do you intend to make things seem brighter and more polished? You’ve come to the right place! You may quickly change your kitchen cabinets into shiny and trendy items with a few easy steps. Here are some ideas to make kitchen cabinets look glossy.

How Long Does it Take to Paint Kitchen Cabinets?

How to make kitchen cabinets look glossy

Making your cabinets look shiny is one of the best ways to give your kitchen a modern and stylish resource. Whether you’re beginning from scratch or updating your existing cabinets, a glossy finish may bring a touch of perfection to your area. Here are some ideas for making kitchen cabinets look shiny.

1. Use an effective dish soap.

The first step in making your kitchen cabinets look glossy is to give them a thorough cleaning. Use a mild dish soap mixed with warm water and a clean, soft rag to wipe each cabinet front. Focus on wiping around the knobs and handles to remove any dirt, dust, and grime. Feel free to use a soft-bristle brush to get into any hard-to-reach areas around moldings or embellishments. Once you’ve completed the cleaning process, make sure to dry all of the surfaces before you move on to the next step.

2. Apply baking soda for stains or scrubbing

If you’ve been dealing with persistent stains or dirt on your cabinets, a heavy-duty cleaner may be necessary for removing them. Baking soda and water is an effective and natural way to scrub away any stubborn marks. Mix together a paste of baking soda and water and use it to scrub the cabinets with a soft cloth or brush. Once you’ve finished scrubbing, use a damp cloth to wipe off any residues.

3. Mix dish soap and vinegar for stubborn stains

Whether you’re dealing with stubborn grease or grime, a mixture of dish soap and white vinegar is the perfect solution. Make sure to use a 1:1 ratio and mix the two ingredients together. Then, use a soft cloth to apply the solution to the cabinet fronts. Allow the mixture to sit for a few minutes before you rinse it off with clear water. Finally, dry the cabinets off with a clean cloth.

4. Use rust-oleum paint spray

When you’re looking for an extremely durable glossy finish, consider using a Rust-Oleum paint spray. This paint is perfect for cabinets that will be regularly exposed to water and moisture. When applying, make sure to follow the instructions on the can and allow plenty of drying time between coats.

5. Use the borax as the last option

Although borax is often used for cleaning, it can also be used as a last resort to make kitchen cabinets look glossy. Create a paste with a mixture of borax and water and apply it to the cabinets. Use a damp cloth to scrub the cabinets in a circular motion and then rinse the cabinets with clear water. Allow the cabinets to dry thoroughly before applying any polish or wax.

Steps to make kitchen cabinet glossy

Adding a glossy finish to your kitchen cabinets will give it a more modern and proficient look. Whether you start with a completely new set of cabinets or give your current ones an update, making them look shiny is simple. Here are five ways to make your kitchen cabinets look shiny.

1. Preparing the cabinets

The first step in making your kitchen cabinets look glossy is to give them a thorough cleaning. Use a mild dish soap mixed with warm water and a clean, soft rag to wipe each cabinet front. Focus on wiping around the knobs and handles to remove any dirt, dust, and grime. Once you’ve completed the cleaning process, make sure to dry all of the surfaces before you move on to the next step.

2. Remove all cabinet doors and hardware

Before you begin painting, you’ll need to remove all the doors and hardware from your cabinets. This will make it easier to paint the surface evenly and will help to ensure that no paint gets on the cabinet hardware. Once all the doors and hardware are removed, give each surface a thorough cleaning with mild soap and warm water. Allow the cabinets to dry completely before you start painting.

3. Sand the entire surface of the cabinet with medium-grit sandpaper

Once your cabinets are clean and dry, you’ll need to sand them with medium-grit sandpaper. Sanding will help to create a smooth surface for the paint and will provide a rough surface for the paint to adhere to. Make sure to sand in a circular motion, and focus on any dings or grooves in the cabinet doors. When you’re finished, use a clean cloth to remove any dust or debris.

4. Apply primer, paint or stain

Once your cabinets are prepped and sanded, you can begin to apply your choice of primer, paint, or stain. For a glossy finish, make sure to choose an oil-based paint or stain. Before you begin painting, mix the paint or stain thoroughly and then apply a thin coat with an angled brush. Make sure to use gentle, even strokes and allow plenty of time for each coat to dry before you move on to the next step.

5. Seal with a glossy lacquer

As a final step, you may want to seal your cabinets with a glossy lacquer. A glossy lacquer will enhance the shine of the cabinets and help to protect them for years to come. When applying the lacquer, use a clean cloth and be sure to work in circles until the entire surface is covered. Allow the lacquer to dry for at least 24 hours before reattaching the doors and hardware.

6. Let the paint dry completely before reattaching the doors

Once you’ve finished painting, sealing, and polishing your kitchen cabinets, it’s important to allow the paint to dry completely before you reattach the doors. This will ensure that the paint won’t be damaged and that your cabinets will look as glossy and polished as possible. Depending on the type of paint used, it may take up to 24 hours for the paint to dry properly.

How to maintain a glossy kitchen cabinet

Once you’ve achieved a glossy finish on your kitchen cabinets, it’s important to maintain it. Fortunately, keeping your cabinets looking their best isn’t too difficult. The key is to regularly clean your cabinets, avoid using harsh chemicals, and regularly dust and wax them. Here are some tips on how to maintain glossy kitchen cabinets.

  • Regular cleaning is essential
  • Avoid harsh chemicals
  • Dust and wax regularly

How to clean glossy kitchen cabinet

Cleaning glossy kitchen cabinets is a surprisingly simple process. All that’s needed are mild detergent, warm water, and a microfiber cloth. Start by gathering all the items needed and lay down a towel or drop cloth in case of any spillage. Begin by wiping down the cabinets with a damp cloth. Next, mix a small amount of the detergent with water and use the cloth to scrub any visible dirt off of the glossy finish. Finally, rinse the cabinets with clean water until all the soap residue is gone. Finish up by drying the cabinets with a clean towel, and buffing them to a glossy shine.

How to paint glossy kitchen cabinets

Painting glossy kitchen cabinets is a great way to give a room a whole new look. First, the cabinets should be cleaned thoroughly to ensure a smooth finish. Next, a good-quality acrylic or oil-based primer should be applied in several thin layers to protect the glossy cabinet surface. 

Allow the primer to dry before painting the cabinets with top-quality acrylic or oil-based paint. The paint can be applied in several thin layers for best coverage. Allow time for the paint to dry in between each successive layer. Finally, apply a clear sealant for extra shine and protection.

When you do not maintain the kitchen cabinets for a long time, they lose the original shine, which gives an overall old and dirty appearance to the kitchen. How do they lose shine? It is because of the stains which it has, and you can easily remove them if you are consistent at maintaining your kitchen.

Kitchen cabinets get exposure from the sticky fingers, cooking oils, grease, food splattering, and much more. It can make a dirty coat on the cabinets due to which it loses its shine over time. You have to clean and polish your kitchen cabinets to make them look beautiful and new again.

When you are into the DIY projects for shining the cabinets of the kitchen, you need to have certain things alongside so the work can be done easily. If you do not have these things instantly available, then it will be a hassle to get up again and again to find one.

Collect all these things beforehand so that you can start off shining the cabinets. Get the plastic drop clothes, rubber gloves, clean cloths, baking soda, furniture polish, sponge, white vinegar, olive oil, and most importantly, a bucket full of water.

When you have all these things with you, it does not matter which combination you choose to outshine the cabinets, but these things will ease up the process for you.

How to Make Kitchen Cabinets Shine

Shine Kitchen Cabinets

Steps to Shine Kitchen Cabinets

Here are some of the steps which you have to follow for a bigger chance to achieve a shining kitchen cabinets.

Step 1: Plastic Drop Cloth

To avoid any spills on the kitchen floor, get a plastic drop cloth on the floor under the kitchen cabinets.

Step 2: Making Mixture

Next step is to mix hot water and white vinegar in a plastic basket. The quantity of water in the bucket will be according to the cabinets which you have to clean so choose accordingly. Now add two drops of olive oil in the same bucket and mix it gently.

White vinegar clears out all the germs and bacteria present on the cabinet along with the oils or grease. However, olive oil brings back the shine you want on the kitchen cabinets.

Step 3: Wearing gloves

Makes sure that the hot water is fine enough for you to touch it and do not forget to put on gloves before you get started.

Step 4: Scrubbing

Now take a sponge and dip it into the vinegar solution basket. Gently scrub the cabinets to remove any grease, dirt or oils on it. Repeat the same process on every cabinet.

Steps to Shine Kitchen Cabintes

If you face any tough greasy stains on the cabinet, then consider combining baking soda and water in a bowl. Mix it well and then rub it gently on the cabinet. It will remove stubborn stains instantly. Clear it out with a piece of cloth.

Step 5: Wiping Cabinets

Now take a clean cloth piece and dip it into the clean water. Wipe off the cabinets again so that if there is any leftover grease or oil, it comes off completely with giving a smooth surface.

Step 6: Drying Cabinets

Have another dry piece of cloth so that you can clean the cabinets with it so that there is no wetness remaining on the cabinets so you can move to the next step.

Step 7: Polishing or Waxing

If you want to outshine the cabinets, then you can apply wood polish or wax on the cabinets. It enhances the beauty of the wood cabinets, and you will be able to see the shine sparkling out of the cabinets once again. When you are done with polishing or waxing, then wipe it off gently with the clean, dry cloth again to finish the process.

Some DIY Mixtures to Make the Cabinets Shine

To get rid of funky and funny greasy kitchen cabinets, here are some of the ways which you can adopt which would work perfectly. If you do not like one, you can try another one which will provide you the desired results. There are many chemicals available in the market which you can use but how about saving some money with the products available at your home? Every household has these ingredients, and it is all about mixing the right ones so you can get the shiny cabinets in the kitchen. So instead of thinking to replace the cabinets or repainting them, you can scrub them off, and get the shine back instantly.

Ways to get Chemical – free Shiny Kitchen Cabinets

Combination of Dish Soap and hot water

Get a bucket of hot water and add dish soap in it until it creates bubbles. It is better to have a brush with soft bristles which you can dip in it and wipe off the cabinets from it. It will remove all the grease or oil present on the cabinet by giving you a smooth finish at the end.

Baking Soda Scrub

Take dry baking soda and a toothbrush. Dip the toothbrush into the baking soda and scrub off the cabinets. It will take a little longer, but you will surely get rid of the stubborn stains on the cabinet.

Dish Soap and White Vinegar

Combination of Dish Soap and White Vinegar

When you have to clean your house, white vinegar is the king of all products. It wipes off the dirt, unlike any other strong chemical would do. We use white vinegar in our food so everyone would be having that in their kitchen cabinets. Mix white vinegar and dish soap in a bucket and scrub off the cabinets to get the ultimate shine.

Combination of Borax

You will be able to find Borax in the grocery stores easily as it is known as a natural cleaner. It is especially for the health conscious people, which is also eco-friendly. It helps the residue to vanish from the cabinets giving you outclass shine of the cabinets. You have to make the combination of borax with vinegar, hot water, borax and dish soap. Add it all into a bucket and then scrub with the help of a sponge. You will be able to see the results which you have not imagines with this amazing cleaning combination.

How to make stained kitchen cabinets look shiny

Do you want to give your kitchen a facelift without drastically changing its style? Making stained kitchen cabinets look shiny is a great way to spruce up your space without committing to a complete renovation. Here are some tips on how to make stained kitchen cabinets look shiny.

  • Clean the cabinets
  • Sand the cabinets
  • If needed, apply primer
  • Choose the right paint
  • Protect the cabinets

There are so many ways for you to choose to bring back the shine for the kitchen cabinets. So take out time and try one of the methods which you find comfortable. You will be glad to see the results and have a clean kitchen just as you want it to be.

Conclusion 

It is easy to make kitchen cabinets look glossy with the right materials. Start by cleaning the cabinets thoroughly to ensure a smooth finish. Depending on the surface of your cabinets, you may then want to apply a coat of primer. This will provide the best protection for the glossy finish. 

Next, apply the glossy paint in several thin layers, allowing each layer to dry before applying the next. Once complete, you can choose to add a clear sealant to further protect the finish, as well as give it a bit of extra shine. With a little effort and the right materials, it’s easy to make your kitchen cabinets look glossy.

How to Clean Kitchen Cabinets?

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

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This is Amelia Walton. I would like to write about Kitchen related topics and I enjoy much while cooking. Hope you will enjoy my writing.