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good cleaner for cabinets before sanding

Sh40674

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getting ready to paint my cabinets... can anyone recommend a real good cleaner to wipe them down with before i sand them? need to get all the old grit and grime off
 
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txvwnut

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Greased lightening works pretty good as does simple green, both are available at Home Depot. A little more info about your cabinets will help answer your question a little better.
 

astroracer

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Hot water, TSP (TriSodiumPhosphate) get it at the box store and some ScotchBrite. Wash and scrub with the ScotchBrite and dry very well.
Mark
 
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Sh40674

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mid 70's style dark cabinets, half wood half particle board dark stained typical stuff... would like to keep clear of TSP, i should say looking for something not very potent
 

astroracer

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mid 70's style dark cabinets, half wood half particle board dark stained typical stuff... would like to keep clear of TSP, i should say looking for something not very potent

Why would you want to keep clear of the TSP? I've used it for years on just about anything I paint that needs to be clean. Especially cars and parts that have seen any kind of silicone, like Armor All. It works and it's cheap... Of course, using a little precaution is a smart thing but it's not a show stopper in the small quantities we normally use it in. I'm talking a couple of table spoons here, not 50 lb bags...
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/cleaning-with-tsp-trisodium-phosphate/#.WNO8w_MzXr9
Mark
 
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Billy Jack

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Pittsburgh Suburbs
Look at the Zep stuff at either HD or Lowes. My favorite for serious cleaning is the Zep Industrial Purple, diluted 1:4 to 1:10, depending on severity of cleaning needed. It does have some strong fumes, so use in a ventilated area. A safer choice is the Zep 505, which you can use undiluted, or the Citrus Degreaser, which I dilute 1:4. None of these leave anything behind, so paint sticks well.

Bill
 
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Sh40674

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Iowa
Why would you want to keep clear of the TSP? I've used it for years on just about anything I paint that needs to be clean. Especially cars and parts that have seen any kind of silicone, like Armor All. It works and it's cheap... Of course, using a little precaution is a smart thing but it's not a show stopper in the small quantities we normally use it in. I'm talking a couple of table spoons here, not 50 lb bags...
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/cleaning-with-tsp-trisodium-phosphate/#.WNO8w_MzXr9
Mark

i get funny about using stuff in the house (have small children) and the wife is big on things like that. if something can be prevented i try. like i said i plan on sanding them either way so getting the grime off is the main worry
 
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Sh40674

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and prefer something i don't need alot of ventilation in, going to be doing sections of cabinets at a time so it will be over a number of days
 
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Sh40674

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Look at the Zep stuff at either HD or Lowes. My favorite for serious cleaning is the Zep Industrial Purple, diluted 1:4 to 1:10, depending on severity of cleaning needed. It does have some strong fumes, so use in a ventilated area. A safer choice is the Zep 505, which you can use undiluted, or the Citrus Degreaser, which I dilute 1:4. None of these leave anything behind, so paint sticks well.

Bill

thanks, the 505 looks to have great reviews.. i've used zep stuff before with good results maybe i'll give this a shot as well
 

Jeff May

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Nov 1, 2012
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Fayetteville, PA
I would also suggest TSP...
If not then I guess one of the cleaners suggested above.
I would possibly follow up with a liquid de-glosser, Liquid Sandpaper or something like that.
 

ard

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Feb 16, 2015
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Sierra Foothills... California
TSP

LOL

Lets take the TSP solution and then call it "Home Depots Sunshine and Warm feelings Cleaner"...with 5 star ratings, and a bunch of moms posting glowing reviews about using it when pregnant.

Change your mind?

Sheesh
 

dougw181

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Sep 20, 2012
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Location
Belgrade, MT
I buy Krud Kutter by the gallon and mix it as needed. It works great to de-grease my smoker grills and cleans spills off of my stove top great.
I would use it to clean your cabinets and then follow up with TSP.
 
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Sh40674

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Iowa
actually, i thought about saying screw it and use TSP... but i just read the back of the shellac primer i'm using and it says to not clean with TSP... i think i'll just try the krud kutter
 
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