How To Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets
Copyright (c) 2010 Ron Hazelton
Believe it or not, you can give your kitchen a whole new look without having to do a complete kitchen renovation. By simply repainting your existing kitchen cabinets you can freshen up the kitchen's decor. And if you take the time and effort to properly prep your cabinetry before you paint, you can get a professional-grade finish.
Step 1: Clean the cabinets. In order for the primer and paint to form a tight bond with the cabinet surface, you will want to make sure that you remove all existing grease and food residue. Even the cleanest kitchen will develop a thin layer of build-up over time, so use TSP, trisodium phosphate, which is a paint prep cleaner and degreaser in one. Wash all surfaces that will be painted over.
Step 2: Remove the cabinet doors, drawers and hardware. To really get that professional look, you will want to take the time to remove all of the hardware. While it's tempting to skip this step to save time, you'll need to do it in order to have hardware that's crips and clean, not paint streaked. If you don't have a screw gun or drill to remove the pulls, a simple screwdriver will do.
Step 3: Lightly sand the flat surfaces. Once the doors are clean and the hardware has been removed, you'll need to lightly sand the flat surfaces. This will help create a porous surface for the primer and paint to stick to. You can use light sand paper, but a better option is a lightly-grained sanding sponge this will better work the nooks and crannies of the doors. Once the sanding is done, use a tack cloth to wipe clean any loose dust.
Step 4: Prime the cabinet doors. Another easy way to ensure a professional look on your cabinets is to use a low pressure paint sprayer. It not only saves time but also minimizes the number of brush and roller strokes you'll have to fix in the final stages. When you're spraying, set the sprayer at high volume. Start on the outside edges of the doors, working your way to the middle.
Step 5: Prep and prime the wall and base units. Unless you want to go through the tedious task of masking off your entire kitchen, the base and wall cabinets will have to be primed and painted by hand. You'll need a 2-inch sash brush and small roller, which will make it easier to create the high-quality finish. Start by taping off any areas where you are concerned about a errant brush stokes, then use the brush and roller to apply an even coat of primer.
Step 6: Apply the topcoat. It's highly recommended that you use a specially-formulated paint that resists oil and dirt from people's fingers. This will help the durability of the paint. Repeat the steps from priming the base and wall cabinets with the topcoat. When you're ready to spray the doors and drawers fronts outside, you might find it necessary to thin the topcoat slightly with a small amount of water to help it spray evenly.
Step 7: Reinstall the hardware and doors. After the paint has had a chance to dry and harden completely (usually about 24 hours) you can screw the hardware back into place.
If you want to take your kitchen "remodel" up a notch, consider replacing your old hardware to complete the look. Or add some new window treatments to accent your like-new cabinets. And there you have it, a new look for your kitchen in just one weekend.
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