Welcome CatherineAnn,

What are the cabinets themselves like? If they're real cheesy, I don't think it would matter much if you painted them as a prospective buyer would probably spot them as cheesy right off--so you might as well paint them and enjoy them while you're living there! There are cabinet "refacing" services that could also make them more attractive for less money and disruption than a total replacement.

If they're nice, it might be worth the extra effort to strip, sand and stain properly.

I've also noticed that there's kind of a "loosey-goosey" connection between improvements and resale value. It's not as clear-cut as people think...that a certain remodel will "pay back" a certain percentage. Sometimes, it seems that buyers 'expect' that certain remodeling will have been done in order to set foot in the door. But improvements certainly pay off in the enjoyment you experience in day-to-day living over the years you're there...

In my particular case, kitchen cabinets are 20+ years old and they were nothing great when they were put in. I think the only real option (for me) is total replacement. Of course, in 20 years you find that plenty of other work needs to be updated too (for example, countertops and flooring) and it becomes a rather major project. But I feel it needs to be done. Plus, will make it lots more enjoyable!

Good luck, and if it were me, I'd probably get rid of the orange too!

The orange tint you are seeing is a natural process for anything that has only a clear varnish on it,to strip this off is a big pain.If you want to paint over them you need to sand with 180 grit,and then use a zinser primer that is made to go over oil based products it is also made so you can paint with a latex paint if you want to.Im not sure of the name but any paint store will have it.Just let them know what your plans are otherwise they may hook you up with the wrong product.