Some homeowners would rather repaint their kitchen cabinet doors and drawer fronts than add new veneer. The process can take time and muscle.  The stripping chemicals can be highly toxic, so it’s vital that you work safely and give yourself sufficient time to do the job right.

The first step, of course, is in taking the cabinet doors and fronts apart, marking them carefully with tape to ensure you put them back where they belong. You can move the marker as you work, opening up the wood face where you’re going to apply the stripper.

Caution: Danger Ahead

Paint stripping agents like methylene chloride emit caustic fumes.  Be sure to work your cabinet doors in a well-ventilated area, wearing chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, and a mask. Be sure your arms are covered down to the wrist.

You can apply cabinet door stripper with a brush or cloth. The old paint will bubble up and blister almost instantly.  That’s when to use a putty knife to peel off the layer of old paint.

Repainting Kitchen Cabinet Doors
After stripping the old paint, you can use a fine grain paper to sand the wood into a smooth surface.  Some contractors prefer priming the kitchen cabinet doors with an oil-based top coat, although sprayed-on latex works well, too, if you can do the job in a garage or open area where stray paint won’t land on kitchen walls.

Doing it yourself takes patience. If your cabinets are in poor shape, consider other alternatives including veneer or complete replacements.

Looking to get the most bang for your dollar in refreshing your kitchen? Adding fresh paint and new cabinet hardware are a provide a straightforward fix that can suit even a slender budget. Try refacing or select from a wide range of finishing options to provide a new look and feel for your kitchen. But you can do so much more if you take the initiative, from choosing new “green” paints and products, to considering some of the latest, trendy design ideas for storage.

Better Homes and Gardens recently cited ten trends in cabinetry that might influence your decision. It’s researchers found that homeowners wants cabinets that offer a range of functions, increasing storage efficiency, creating display space for heirlooms and china, storage options that disguise or hide appliances, offer a range of décor options, match or look like existing furnishings, and provide attractive accents.

Choosing Cabinet Designs, Paints, and Finishes
The National Kitchen & Bath Association recommends that homeowners consider design efficiency with the same scrutiny they’d use in selecting materials. Only after you consider traffic flow, overall kitchen space, and the arrangement of appliances, should you get down to brass tacks of paint and hardware.

At the same time, you can employ so-called “green finishes” that safeguard your family against potentially toxic cabinet finishes.

Green building experts recommend against choosing particleboard materials that can contain formaldehyde glue. Finishes that are water soluble or semi-gloss paints with low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) offer the best protection from toxic fumes and solvents. Most manufacturers offer at least one or two brand options that have low VOC emissions while providing good sealing and protective qualities.