Photo Courtesy of This Old House
Tired of your ugly kitchen cabinets? Then grab some supplies and devote a weekend to repainting the eyesores that have become your cabinets. It”™s easier than it looks, and more fun than you might think!
First, you”™ll want to prepare the workspace. Remove any appliances and household objects from the counter space. Protect your countertops by covering them with rosin paper or a few layers of last week”™s newspapers. Tape the newspapers down with painter”™s tape to avoid a mess. Next, thoroughly clean your cabinets to ensure that any grease and grime that”™s accumulated over time has been removed ”“ otherwise the paint will have a hard time sticking.
Before you even begin the painting process, you”™ll want to gently sand the cabinets, shelves, and any other surfaces you plan on re-painting; we recommend sanding in a circular motion. Once you”™ve sanded, wipe the surface with a wet cloth to remove any residue caused by sanding. After the cabinet doors and other surfaces have been sanded smooth, you”™re ready to start painting.
Before you apply any actual paint, you”™ll need to prime the freshly sanded surfaces. Paint on an oil-based primer onto the areas you plan on painting. Use a wider paintbrush and apply the primer to both sides of the cabinet doors for a more complete look ”“ make sure to unscrew them from the actual cabinets and laying them on a flat, covered surface. Don”™t forget to prime the shelves and any other surface you plan on painting.
Photo Courtesy of Bob Vila
If your kitchen is large enough, you can paint the cabinets on your counters. Otherwise, set up a table outside, or in the garage; anywhere that will allow for possible paint splatter.
After the primer has dried, (this will take several hours), gently sand away any visible brush strokes in the primer until the surface is smooth. Be sure to vacuum the surface after sanding to remove any remaining residue.
When choosing paint for your cabinets, it”™s better to pick one that is oil-based; these paints are more durable and will endure wear-and-tear. For an alternative to oil-based paint, consider using a water-borne acrylic enamel. Brush on the first layer of paint. It”™s best to use a chisel-tipped brush, and remember to paint with the grain.
When painting kitchen cabinets, be sure to apply only a thin coat of paint at a time. By doing this, you ensure an even coating of paint, and avoid paint droplets forming on the surface. Paint can take hours to try, so this will easily become a weekend-long project. You”™ll want to apply a few coats of paint, between two and four depending on the type of paint and the type of wood you are painting on. Sand the cabinet doors after each new layer of paint has dried to avoid unsightly brush strokes.
If you”™re feeling too high-tech to use any old paintbrush, consider using an airless paint sprayer. These can be found at any Lowes or Home-Depot, and are guaranteed to speed up the painting process while providing a flawless finish.
For an extra wow factor, finish off your freshly painted cabinets with some colorful knobs!
Not sure this is a project you’d like to take on yourself? Give us a call and we’ll help you through it!