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5 Steps for Painting Kitchen Cabinets Like a Pro

Your kitchen cabinets are a prominent feature of your kitchen, and having them looking their best should be a priority when decorating your kitchen. Instead of installing new cabinets, a great way to update your existing ones is to have them painted. You may choose to hire a professional to do the job, but painting them on your own is a project that can be easily and professionally accomplished. Follow these steps to end up with cabinets you can be proud of.

Remove hardware: Using a drill or a screwdriver, unscrew all the hinges on the cabinet doors, gently taking them down. Mark them as you go with painter’s tape, so you’ll know where each belongs. Take the doors to a work area with a flat surface that has good ventilation. Also remove the knobs and handles. You may want to replace them with new hardware that coordinates with the new paint color.

Prepare surface: Depending on the existing finish, you can either strip the cabinets or sand them. If the existing finish is a clearcoat, using a chemical to strip it down is an effective method. Alternatively, the finish can be removed by cleaning and sanding. An all-purpose cleaner is suitable for wiping off the grime and dirt. Use a medium-grit sandpaper to remove the finish or old paint, then use a fine-grit sandpaper to smooth the surface. This step of preparation is important because it will help the new paint to adhere to the wood.

Select type of paint: While latex paints have a shorter drying time and are easier to clean up, oil-based paints form a coat that is harder and more durable. With oil-based paint, the resulting finish also tends to be smoother. A gloss (rather than flat) finish is recommended since it cleans well and offers better protection. It is worth getting a high-quality paint to improve your chances of obtaining a smooth and professional-looking finish. You will need a high-quality coat of primer as well.

Select tools: The tool you select to apply the paint also counts significantly toward the success of your paint application. A roller tends to leave stipple marks, therefore it is best to use a high-quality brush or a pneumatic spray.

If using a brush, two or three very thin coats of paint will help to produce a smooth finish. You can choose to lightly sand the surface after each coat is applied and dried. Cabinets that have a rougher surface, like oak, may need an additional coat. It is also helpful if you are able to work in an area that is free of dust and breezes.

If you choose to spray paint your cabinets, spray equipment can be rented from your local home improvement store. Spray in a smooth and rapid motion to avoid accumulation of paint in one area.

Finishing Up: While the cabinet doors are left to dry overnight, follow the same procedure to prepare and paint the cabinet faces and side panels. If your cabinets have glass fronts, you may want to consider painting the interior to match or provide eye-catching contrast for your dishes and glassware. Leave the paint to dry overnight and screw the knobs and handles back onto the doors. Finally, attach the doors back onto your cabinets and the job is complete.

About the Author:

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