Painting your kitchen cabinets is a great way to freshen up your old cabinets or to save you time and money when putting in new ones. To do this you will need sand paper, paint, and primer. It is important that you purchase high quality paint that is thick and will keep you from having to repaint the cabinets three or four times. In the end you will end up by spending more on the cheaper kind.
Cleaning The Cabinets
Before you begin you will have to take down each cabinet and lay them on tarp or a large blanket in a ventilated area. Wipe down the face of each cabinet and remove any grease, food, and dust. Take your time. You do not want any of this unsightly debris stuck beneath the paint where people will see it. Use an all purpose cleaner and an old rage and dry them off with a towel.
Sanding The Cabinets
Next you will use a 150 sandpaper to flatten the surface and remove any dents or bumps. This allows the primer to firmly stick to the cabinet. During this process be gentle and do not sand certain areas too much or else you will have damaged and possibly caused the cabinet surface to become uneven.
Priming The Cabinets
The primer can be applied to the cabinet using a simple paintbrush. This is used to help the paint to bond with the surface of the cabinet and to keep it from peeling when pans or dishes come into contact with it. The only time you do not need to prime the cabinets is when you are re-painting them the same color.
If you are going to use an oil based paint then you must use an oil based primer beneath it. It you are going to use a latex paint then you must use a shellac based primer. Make sure to do this process in a well ventilated area because the smell can be very strong.
Painting The Cabinets
Allow the primer to dry completely before you begin painting the cabinets. Depending on the primer you go this could take thirty minutes to a couple of hours. There are two ways in which you can apply the paint. The first and most basic is to use a high quality paintbrush. This must not be the same one you used for the primer. It is best to get one that is 2 ½” to 3”.
The second way is to rent or purchase a pneumatic sprayer. This is great because it helps to give a very smooth and glossy finish to the cabinets. However, it will increase the amount of money that is in your budget.
When using the paintbrush you want to use make thin coats. This means that you will have to do more then one coat for each cabinet – but it will avoid any problems like air bubbles or poor brush strokes.