Antique Doorknobs

Top Knobs Hardware

How To Make Your Cabinets Stop Looking Brand-New: From Sandpaper to Cabinet Knobs

This year there's going to be a lot of emphasis on incorporating retro looks into everything from wardrobes to interior design — why not be proactive and help your cabinets along? Making new cabinets look vintage, also called "antiquing" is a great home decor project; check out the instructions below.

First of all, make sure you have a properly ventilated workspace. If you're not working outdoors, make sure you're in a room with at least one window, try to keep a fan going, and wear a mask.

Now you can start. Take apart as much of the cabinet as you can, without damaging it. (i.e. Take the doors off the hinge, and if the cabinets can come down from the wall, they should, otherwise you'll have to use a ladder or footstool) Remove the hardware (hinges, cabinet knobs, etc.) and set them aside. Use a sponge to wash the wood with a mild water and soap combo, then wipe it dry with a lint-free towel or rag. Get it as clean as possible; if there's any dirt or grime it will prevent the paint/stain from adhering to the wood fibers. Lightly sandpaper the wood. Any stains and sealants need to be removed completely.

Now, apply a coat of oil-based primer. After it dries, apply another coat of primer, in a different shade, with a brush to allow for a streaked appearance. Once it's dried, apply wood stain. You can either use a rag and scrub it on, or brush it on and then scrub with the rag until you get the shade you want. Apply the stain more heavily around the edges of the wood, handles and cabinet knobs. After the stain dries, take the sandpaper and rub it along those areas. (Those areas, which receive more attention, would naturally grow darker over the years.)

If you want the cabinets to have a more distressed look, create some extra, but light, damage. Try gently hammering a chain into the wood to create indentations, as well as the points of nails to simulate the appearance of wormholes. (Use differently-sized nails to make it look more authentic.) Then, VERY lightly run a knife over the wood occasionally to make the wood look cracked. You can also dig at it with the tip of a nail file. You're almost done! Apply a few coats of matte finish polyurethane, allowing time to dry in between. It's important to use matte so the wood won't look shiny — it's a dead giveaway that the cabinets aren't truly old.

Now you can re-hang the cabinets. Take a look at them, and add any finishing touches you might only just notice. If you want to make them look really ancient, look into vintage-inspired cabinet knobs. Many hardware or home decor stores sell them, or you could visit some flea markets for the real thing — not having matching cabinet knobs will make it look all the more believable.

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Fitz-All Set of 2 Replacement Pot Knobs, Wide List Price: $9.99 Sale Price: $6.99 You save: $3.00 (30%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Fitz-All Wide Replacement Pot Knobs replace lost or broken cover knobs on pots, pans & cookware. Wide diameter makes them comfortable to grip, even for cooks with large hands. Larger size makes them appropriate for heavy-duty application on larger or heavier cookware pieces. Also suitable for use on appliances, canisters, drawers, tools, etc. Made of heat-resistant Bakelite/phenolic with glossy black finish to complement any cookware. Dishwasher safe. Two knobs and two rustproof aluminum screws per set. Features Replacement knobs for pots, pans, cookware Heat-resistant, dishwasher safe Wide diameter is comfortable to grip Suitable for large, heavy cookware Set of two knobs and two screws

Top Knobs Pennington Bar Pull 3 3/4Inch CC in Brushed Satin Nickel Sale Price: $9.90   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Top Knobs takes pride in tradition of providing fine craftsmanship, innovative designs, and a wide variety of products from which to choose. Their attention to detail ensures that their products look and feel individually made rather than mass-produced whether manufacturing just few pieces for a custom kitchen, or thousands of pieces for a larger manufacturer. ***MANUFATURER REQUIRES SIGNATURE FOR DELIVERY*** Features L-4-3/8" W-1/2" P-1-3/8" Items ship UPS Ground within 1 day M-F ***MANUFATURER REQUIRES SIGNATURE FOR DELIVERY***

Tops Mfg Co Inc 2Pk Large Pot Knob Cookware Parts List Price: $3.99 Sale Price: $3.83 You save: $0.16 (4%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description 2 PacK Fitz-all, Large Pot Knob With Finger Guard, Heat Resistant Bakelite/Phenolic, Screws Included, Dishwasher Safe. Features Replacement knobs with finger guards for pots, pans, cookware Heat-resistant, dishwasher safe Finger guards keep hands away from hot pot Great for large, heavy cookware & heat-generating appliances Set of two knobs, two finger guards and two screws

Lux Products Corp 4Pk Blk Gas Burner Knob Range Parts & Accessories List Price: $25.09 Sale Price: $5.07 You save: $20.02 (80%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description 4 Pack Black Gas Top Buner Knobs, Carded. Features Lux #CPR410 4PK Black Gas Burner Knob LUX PRODUCTS CORP

Top Knobs Pennington Bar Pull 5 1/16 Inch CC in Brushed Satin Nickel Sale Price: $10.30   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Top Knobs takes pride in tradition of providing fine craftsmanship, innovative designs, and a wide variety of products from which to choose. Their attention to detail ensures that their products look and feel individually made rather than mass-produced whether manufacturing just few pieces for a custom kitchen, or thousands of pieces for a larger manufacturer. ***MANUFATURER REQUIRES SIGNATURE FOR DELIVERY*** Features L-5-7/16" W-1/2" P-1-3/8" Items ship UPS Ground within 1 day M-F ***MANUFATURER REQUIRES SIGNATURE FOR DELIVERY***

Top Knobs Pennington Bar Pull 3 Inch CC in Brushed Satin Nickel Sale Price: $9.72   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Top Knobs takes pride in tradition of providing fine craftsmanship, innovative designs, and a wide variety of products from which to choose. Their attention to detail ensures that their products look and feel individually made rather than mass-produced whether manufacturing just few pieces for a custom kitchen, or thousands of pieces for a larger manufacturer. ***MANUFATURER REQUIRES SIGNATURE FOR DELIVERY*** Features L-3-3/8" W-1/2" P-3" Items ship UPS Ground within 1 day M-F

Fitz-All Set of 2 Replacement Pot Handles List Price: $9.99 Sale Price: $2.28 You save: $7.71 (77%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Fitz-All Pot Handles replace lost or broken side handles on most round cookware between 6 inch and 11 inch diameter, including sauce pots, stew pots, Dutch ovens, canning kettles and pressure cookers. Also used on some appliances such as slow cookers and coffee urns. Made of heat-resistant Bakelite/phenolic in glossy black finish to complement any cookware. Ridged for easy, safe gripping, even with wet fingers. Dishwasher safe. Set of two handles and two rustproof aluminum screws. Features Pot handles fit cookware 6" to 11" diameter Heat-resistant, dishwasher safe Use for sauce pots, stew pots, Dutch ovens, canning kettles, pressure cookers Fits appliances like slow cookers & coffee urns Set of two handles and two screws

Fitz-All Replacement Percolator Top, Small List Price: $9.99 Sale Price: $1.90 You save: $8.09 (81%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Fitz-All Replacement Percolator Top is the original universal size relacement percolator top. Includes heat-resistant glass perk top plus patented locking ring in non-corroding aluminum to fit most electric and non-electric percolators with cover openings from 13/16 inch to 1-1/2 inch. Fits tight, won't fall out. Perfect replacement for older perks where original glass knob won't fit because hole is worn or enlarged. Features Replacement glass percolator top Fits electric & stovetop percolators with cover openings 13/16 inch to 1-1/2 inch Fits tight, won't fall out Replacement glass percolator top (small) Get the old coffee pot back in service

Top Knobs Pennington Bar Pull 8 13/16" CC in Brushed Satin Nickel Sale Price: $12.55   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Top Knobs takes pride in tradition of providing fine craftsmanship, innovative designs, and a wide variety of products from which to choose. Their attention to detail ensures that their products look and feel individually made rather than mass-produced whether manufacturing just few pieces for a custom kitchen, or thousands of pieces for a larger manufacturer. ***MANUFATURER REQUIRES SIGNATURE FOR DELIVERY*** Features L-9-3/16" W-1/2" P-1-3/8" Items ship UPS Ground within 1 day M-F ***MANUFATURER REQUIRES SIGNATURE FOR DELIVERY***

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