There are as many procedures to paint a set of kitchen cabinets as there are contractors who are willing to do the job. Unfortunately, there are almost as many ways to paint cabinets as there are unskilled homeowners with all thumbs. The process is simple:
1. Disassemble the cabinets, marking each door and set with numbered tape to know how to put it back together.
2. Wash all the parts with cleaner or degreaser meant for the job.
3. Sooth out all dings, dents, and scratches.
4. Sand and Prime the cabinets.
5. Sand the Primer and remove the sanding dust.
6. Brush or spray on color finish.
7. Re-install the cabinets and attach hardware, pulls, and knobs.
Painting Cabinets Correctly
Sounds easy. Brian Simkins of Do It Yourself says that the essential preparation work of cleaning the cabinets is often best handled if you remove the cabinet doors. Removing grit and grime is essential if you’re interested in a fresh look.
The primer you choose to use is equally important. High-build primers, say the experts at This Old House, can make the difference between a ho-hum job and newly renovated cabinets that look fabulous.
In painting the doors, it pays to hang the edges off the end of the surface where they rest, allowing you to remove any blotches of paint that run along the sides. The folks at HGTV suggest that you paint cabinet doors from the insides out.
Many homeowners and contractors prefer to paint with a pneumatic sprayer. It takes less time, even if you’re good with a brush. You may need more than one coat of finishing paint. But be sure to let the first coat dry completely before deciding. Remember, use thin coats always.
