Painting kitchen cabinets can offer a relatively inexpensive way to make the kitchen a more inviting and bright space. Kitchens and their attached dining areas is the centre of a home because families congregate there. You participate in many activities as a family in the kitchen: eating, schoolwork, conversation over refreshments, food preparation, and discussion are just a few of the activities.
Enliven your kitchen with a new colour palette by painting it yourself. Painting cabinets is not complicated, but does require time, the correct equipment and paint, and a systematic approach for excellent results.
Step 1 – Preparation to Paint
- Arrange to have meals out or bring them in for about two days – this will help keep your crew happy and working
- Plan to paint during a time of year when you can get plenty of ventilation in your home to protect yourself against the side effects of solvents and paint fumes.
- Consult with your local paint retailer and a professional to discuss your cabinets and the best way to approach the job. Take one cabinet door with you for a sample.
- Ask questions – you need to know the composition of your cabinets. Some laminates masquerade very well as wood and knowing if you have stained wood is quite helpful.
- Ask about an appropriate primer for your cabinets.
- Determine the type of paint that is best and most durable. Some paints do not stand up to the constant wear and scrubbing that occurs in a kitchen. When selecting paint, ask if the paint will cause the doors to stick to the cabinet box after painting.
- Collect tools and equipment:
1) Screwdriver – or a cordless drill
2) Trisodium Phosphate (TSP)
3) Bucket, rubber gloves, sponges, and protective goggles
4) Spackling compound and/or wood filler
5) Sandpaper (120-220 grit), tack cloths, and deglosser recommended by the paint store
6) Vacuum cleaner
7) Masking tape, drop cloths (preferably disposable)
8) Paintbrushes, micro-fibre paint rollers – all two to three inches wide
9) Paint tray, stir sticks
10) Paint as recommended by your dealer – It is recommended that you purchase the best quality paint available to be sure it lasts.
11) Sawhorses upon which to lay the doors flat for painting and drying. You can approximate these with support boards placed across well-draped chairs.
Step 2 – Clean Out the Kitchen
- Move lighter tables and chairs out of the kitchen area or at least far enough away from the cabinets to allow easy access.
- Cover heavy appliances with drop cloths to protect them from paint splashes, but do your best to move them away from the cabinets.
- Remove all materials from the cabinets – now is a good time to organise the kitchen, too, but wait until you are done with painting.
Step 3 – Get Ready to Paint
- Remove the doors, carefully marking the places for hinges and handles. If you are replacing the hinges and handles with new hardware, fill in the holes from the old ones with wood putty, allowing it to dry, then sanding it smooth. Mark each door with a diagram to indicate its place.
- Mask the floor and walls around the cabinets with a combination of masking tape and drop cloths. Newspaper can be used on the walls, but be sure to protect the floors well. Solvents and paint can mar floor finishes and ruin carpeting if you have it.
- Scrub the cabinets inside and out with a solution of trisodium phosphate and water, mixed according to package directions. Be sure to use rubber gloves to protect your hands and arms.
- Repair holes and nicks in the cabinetry with wood putty or a similar product. Sand the surfaces to make them smooth.
- Allow the cabinets to dry, then sand lightly with fine grit sandpaper to prepare the surface so paint will adhere. Use a vacuum, then a tack cloth to remove all dust from the surface.
- Prime the surface with the primer recommended by your paint supplier. This increases adhesion for the paint.
Step 3 – Painting
- Plan on two thin coats rather than one thick coat of paint. This, too, will help the paint withstand the abrasions of daily cleaning.
- Sand lightly, and then use a tack cloth to clean the surface, between coats.
- You may choose either a paintbrush manufactured for the type of paint your dealer recommends or a fine-textured roller. Spray painting equipment is available to rent for this purpose, if you opt to go that way.
- To paint the cabinet doors, place the doors on sawhorses to allow a flat surface, preventing drips. Allow the doors to dry on the sawhorses.
- Painting the boxes, the cabinet bodies, should be done with a brush. A roller suffices for the larger sides. Paint from the top down to help prevent drips. Again, two thin coats with a light sanding between makes your finish last longer.
- Drawers should be painted while assembled, but without hardware. Do not get paint on the glides because the drawers will stick afterward.
Step 4 – Putting It Back Together
- Make certain that the paint is thoroughly dry.
- Go to your diagram to determine where to place hinges and other hardware. You can use the old hardware, but it’s more enjoyable if you renovate the hardware along with the colours.
- Drill holes as needed, replace doors, drawers, and all hardware.
- Refill your cabinets – check out organising ideas and materials available at your local store for ideas and inexpensive ways to make your kitchen manageable.
Enjoy the Results of Your Project
At this point, you can invite all the people who have helped with the project over for your favourite type of celebration. Carefully following the steps as well as consulting with the professionals at your local paint and hardware shop creates an excellent product. These professionals are valuable resources for helping find materials, for advice, and tips on procedures. A knowledgeable group of individuals for paint and hardware can make your projects go more smoothly, so make use of that knowledge. Professionals can also help you locate the proper equipment, tools, and paint.
