Painting your kitchen cabinets is an affordable way to update the look of your kitchen without spending a fortune. It’s important to take the time to do the job right, however, so that you get a beautiful finish and don’t end up with flaws or drips that will show up later. To help you succeed, we spoke to several professional cabinet painters and got their advice on how to repaint cabinets.
Cabinets are exposed to a lot of grease and oils, so before you begin painting them, start by spraying the surface with a degreaser solution or wiping it down with an all-purpose cleaner. Then, rinse and dry thoroughly. If the existing finish is glossy, you’ll need to use a liquid deglosser or sand the surfaces with 80- to 100-grit sandpaper to roughen them up a bit so that primer and paint will adhere.
Next, if the existing wood is tight-grained (like cherry or maple), an oil-based primer will work well. If it’s open-grained, on the other hand, a water-based product will work just as well and probably be easier to manage. For highly textured wood, try using a brushing putty, which is like a cross between a wood filler and primer; apply several coats with a new brush each time and sand in between.
Once the primer has dried, you can begin to paint. It’s important to use a high-quality latex paint, as it will be durable and moisture-resistant. Use a brush for edges and tight spots, and a roller for large, flat areas. For extra protection, we recommend adding a second coat of ADVANCE.
Many people opt for white as their first coat of paint, but don’t be afraid to experiment with other colors. For example, a rich blue can add a splash of color to a neutral room or even act as an accent color on a wall behind the cabinets.
Some homeowners also choose to spruce up their cabinets with a faux finish, such as crackling glaze. This is easy to do and can give your cabinets a country, rustic or farmhouse style.
Once you’ve finished painting, give the cabinets at least 24 hours to dry, and more if you can. This gives the finish a chance to cure to a hard, durable surface and prevents chips and marks.
If you’re not satisfied with the look of your painted cabinets, it may be time to replace the doors and drawer fronts. New hardware will give the cabinets a fresh, updated look. And if the old hardware isn’t in good shape, consider replacing it with a modern, sleek design that can stand up to daily wear and tear. Be sure to mark the locations of each door and drawer on the cabinet boxes before removing them, so you can reattach them in the same location. This will make the process much simpler and save you from having to re-install them later on. For more details on cabinet repainting visit https://www.tampacabinetrefinishing.net/.