Tips for Painting Your Kitchen Cabinets
It is super trendy to repaint kitchen cabinets instead of completely replacing them. And while I love when people can reuse what they already have, I know how incredibly frustrating and tempting it can be to give up the effort and just buy new. Here are is some advice so you can be successful.
LABEL, LABEL, LABEL
When you begin removing doors off their hinges, put those hinges and other hardware in labeled containers or plastic baggies. To make life easier, you can even leave those containers inside the cabinets they correspond to. Don’t forget to put a piece of masking tape on the back of the doors, because once you take those babies outside, you will be putting together a master puzzle without labels to guide you.
CLEAN AND SAND, THEN SAND AGAIN
You would be surprised how much dirt and grease kitchen cabinets can collect over the years. Invest in a good degreaser and give your cabinets a good washing. Once dry, follow up with a good sanding using a medium grit (150 grit or so) sandpaper. Sanding is non-negotiable as it allows the paint to adhere to the cabinets. Do not take this lightly!
DUST AND DEBRIS
I can’t tell you how frustrating it is to spend so much time prepping a cabinet for paint only to begin painting over forgotten dust. Seemingly small, dust can ruin the smooth appearance of paint. If you want to avoid making a mosquito a permanent fixture in your kitchen, I highly recommend choosing a safe place like a well-ventilated garage or a covered porch on a clear day to allow your cabinets to be painted and dry.
PRIMER AND PREMIUM PAINT
So many people think this step is optional! If you are working with wood cabinets, it’s common for knots in the wood to begin appearing as the paint dries. Save yourself the agony and just apply some primer. The paint will not only look nicer, but it will last longer!
Buying a high-quality paint that stands up to scrubbing, steam, grease, heat, etc. will also save you heartache. You will see less chipping and a smoother finish.
COVER BRUSH STROKE WITH A ROLLER
Most professionals prefer the look a paint sprayer offers, but if you choose to go this alone and use a brush, smooth brush strokes by lightly rolling over paint with a foam roller.
AMPLE DRYING TIME
You may be in a rush to re-hang cabinet doors and drawers, but slow your roll. A temporarily disheveled kitchen is a small price to pay for flawless cabinets. Allow a few days for paint to cure or risk paint smudges and finger prints!
And as always, if you get in too deep or decide you don’t want to get involved at all, give us a call at (970) 903-4305. and we will do it for you! We work in the Durango area and love a good challenge. This article was in large part inspired by .