Painting kitchen cabinets can be a great project for anyone who enjoys working around the house or who wants to spiff up a dull or outdated kitchen. Unlike many home projects, refinishing cabinets is easy enough for anyone of moderately handy skill to take on. All you need to paint cabinets is some time, paint, a few supplies, and space enough to work. While you can get a more traditional look with conservative colors such as white, black, or brown, painting kitchen cabinets is also an excellent way to add some pizzazz to your home as there are a wide variety of colors to choose from.
Before you Begin to Paint Cabinets
If your cabinets are wood, you are good to go. However, if they are laminate, the steps below may or may not work for them. Laminate cabinets require different kinds of paint to ensure a job well done and may warp or bubble if you use the same steps as painting wooden cabinets.
These steps can be used for painting kitchen cabinets or painting bathroom cabinets, or even some types of furniture (dressers, night tables, etc).
Supplies to Paint Cabinets
- Primer
- Paint
- Paintbrush
- Foam roller brush
- Roller pan
- Fine grit sandpaper
- Painter’s tape
- Electric screwdriver (optional)
- TSP (optional)
- Wood putty (optional)
Prepping Kitchen Cabinets For Paint
Prep your cabinets. Prepping the cabinet surface is possibly the most important step. You don’t want to paint over any grime, goo, or a too slick surface if you want the paint to stand up over time. Remove all doors from the cabinets. Using an electric screwdriver will save you a lot of time and effort in this process. It is best to remove all hinges and hardware from the cabinets as well. When removing cabinets, either lay them out in the same order they go up or number them so that you know which goes where.
For the absolute best results, wipe down all surfaces that you will paint with TSP. This is trisodium phosphate and it is available at hardware stores. This will remove any build up from the cabinets. Let cabinets dry all the way.
If there are any imperfections in your cabinet surface such as holes, gashes, or other areas that need filling, use wood putty to even out the surface. You can also use wood putty to fill any hardware holes if you are replacing or upgrading your handles, pulls, or hinges.
Lightly sand all surfaces that you will paint. This helps the primer and paint to adhere to the surfaces.
Use painters tape along the edges of your walls and any place where you want a solid edge, or where you don’t want paint to go. Use drop cloths if needed to avoid paint damage to your work area.
How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets
- Apply a coat or two of primer first. Let each coat dry completely per the specifications on the type of paint you bought. Make sure to apply the paint evenly and that each coat is not too thick (to avoid paint drips). Apply anywhere from a coat to three coats of paint after the primer is dry, also allowing the paint to dry between coats.
- Choose your paint and primer. You can choose from a wide variety of brands and finishes available on the market, but for the best durability, the best paint for kitchen cabinets is a latex enamel. Also get the accompanying type of primer.
- Reattach hardware.
- Reattach hinges and reattach doors to cabinets. Remove painter’s tape and voila!
Tips to Paint Kitchen Cabinets
Using a foam roller brush will get a very smooth surface and also allows you to work fairly quickly with good results. You can also use a paintbrush, but may notice some bristle marks in the paint. However, a paintbrush is necessary for any tight spaces.
You can sand between paint and primer coats if you want to make extra sure the surface is smooth and flawless. If you do this, make sure the paint is fully dry. However, if you prepped well and carefully apply your paint, this step is optional.
Kristin Kendle - Kristin Kendle is both an editor and a writer. She currently works as an editor, and writes for Live Your Life e-zine, Demand Studios, and ...
