Oak is an open grain wood. Unless the grain was filled in prior to staining and varnishing, that open grain should still be apparent when you look at the surface at an angle.
If this is true, one option that is open to you is to clean the cabinets well with warm water and soap. The apply a coat of gel stain.
Gel stain is rather thick and will tend to fill in the open gain in the wood.It doesn't soak into the wood but rather sits on top kind of like shoe polish on your shoes. Wipe the excess stain off and when dry, apply a coat of satin varnish. You will in effect have a darken looking wood finish.
If you are interested, try a spot on the lower back of one of you lower cabinet doors to see how well it works for you and if you like the look.
This method is not unlike putting a glaze over a painted surface to give it an antique look.Can I stain/paint oak cabinets? Need suggestions techniques on painting oak kitchen cabinets.?
I want to add... on the island that is centered in the kitchen. There is a backing that looks like oak...but I realized it's just like a paper/cardboard oak looking backing. What can I do with that if i decided to change the color of the cabinets?
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If you have stained wood, your best bet is to paint them because the stain will have sunk into the grain and you will never get it all up to restain it.
I had the same issue in my previous home with oak cabinets. I didn't like the grain and thought it clashed with the countertops. I primed then painted over them with a tan textured paint. It looked much nicer, went on really thick, and the texture never got dirty. Sorry I don't have any pictures of it - sold the house in 2005.
To prime the cabinets sand them well until the gloss is gone, clean all dirt and dust off and use an oil based primer (helps paint stick better).
Then paint the dark color of your choice. Sounds like your cabinets would look great if you painted over with a nice chocolate color. If you pick the right color, most people will not notice that it's paint and not a dark stain.
Add some new hardware fixtures and your kitchen will look completely different.
To paint the cabinets you will need to take the cabinet doors off the hinges and remove all hardware. I did it myseld in my spare time and it took me a few weeks to get it all done, but was much cheaper than getting all new cabinets.
Food for thought rather than an answer if you expect to duplicate a good ';factory'; finish.......
Kitchen cabinets generally have a sprayed on factory finish that is tinted to even out variations in the color of the wood (esp oak ) %26amp; the wood is not stained at all.
Look around for chipped or worn areas....if any bare wood is lighter than the rest ...that's what you've got.
Having said that, it is very difficult to color match across a large area like a set of cabinets %26amp; the usual DIY / crafts approach of stripping /sanding/staining/ polyurethane/ bla /bla. will be a disappointment.
Taking all the doors off %26amp; having them done professionally can be pricey.
Then you have the frames %26amp; panels which cannot be removed
to match up.
Might consider refacing the cabinets w/ the type of wood you like when you are able.
Could be cheaper than refinishing %26amp; on the bright side ,if the cabinets are an older vintage they are better built than most of the newer ones %26amp; refacing can be a smart thing to do.
If you really hate the color %26amp; you are sure you want to try DIY, research color ';washing '; or glazing which does not require stripping but will require a clear finish over it.
Sorry not to be more positive , but there is much more to it than meets the eye,%26amp; once you start there is no going back.
Hope that helps.
Best regards.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=ho鈥?/a>
Pretty decent how-to for the first timer.
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