Transform Your Kitchen: Paint Over Those Cabinets!

Painting your kitchen cabinets is a great way to give your kitchen a new look without embarking on a complete remodel. It is a straightforward, budget-friendly, and transformative DIY project. However, it is time-consuming and requires proper preparation to ensure a smooth and durable finish. Before painting, it is essential to remove the cabinet doors, clean and sand the surfaces, and apply a primer. Using the right type of paint and finish is also crucial for achieving the desired results and ensuring the paint adheres correctly. Overall, painting kitchen cabinets can be a rewarding project that gives your kitchen a fresh and updated look.

Sanding and priming

Sanding:

• If your cabinets have peeling paint, deep scratches, or a glossy finish, it is recommended to lightly sand them to ensure the paint adheres properly. Use 60-grit sandpaper or a sanding block for this initial sanding process.
• For heavily damaged cabinets or those with prominent wood grain, consider using an orbital sander to speed up the process. Remember to wear a sanding mask to protect yourself from dust and fumes.
• After sanding, use a tack cloth to remove residual dust from the cabinet surfaces.
• Some experts suggest a second round of sanding after priming to ensure a smooth finish. Use fine-grain 360-grit sandpaper for this step, and follow up with another pass of the tack cloth to remove any remaining dust.

Priming:

• Choose a bonding primer designed specifically for cabinets.
• Apply the primer using a 2 1/2-inch angled brush or a small roller, working in the direction of the wood grain. Smooth out any drips before they dry.
• Allow the primer to dry completely according to the manufacturer's instructions, which is usually around two hours.

By properly sanding and priming your kitchen cabinets, you will create a smooth base for the paint to adhere to, resulting in a professional-looking finish.

Choosing the right paint

Oil-Based Paint

Oil-based paints are known for their resilient finish and are scrubbable, making them ideal for kitchen cabinets. They are easy to clean and allow you to scrub away residue without worrying about damaging the paint or dulling the surface. However, they have some notable drawbacks. Oil-based paints take a long time to dry between coats, up to 16 hours, and require good air circulation. They can also cause the painted surface to turn yellow over time, especially in low-light conditions. Additionally, they release higher levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can be dangerous in food preparation areas.

Latex Paint

Latex paint is a better choice for kitchen cabinets since it offers lower levels of VOCs and dries more quickly. Modern formulas have improved latex paint's durability and scrub resistance, making it suitable for the wear and tear of kitchen use. However, latex paint requires more prep work, especially when painting over wood cabinets, as it is more likely to show variances in the grain or texture. It is also a safer option when painting over existing paint, as it can bind to surfaces treated with either oil-based or latex paint.

Alkyd Paint

Alkyd paint is a water-based paint with an enamel finish similar to oil paint but without the oil. It leaves a hard, semi-gloss finish that is durable and self-levelling, resulting in a very smooth finish. It is commonly used on metal or wood cabinets and is ideal for achieving a professional-looking finish. However, it can be harmful if not used in a well-ventilated area, and the supplies must be disposed of properly. Hybrid alkyd formulations are better for the environment and easier to clean up.

Semi-Gloss, Gloss, or Satin Paint

When it comes to the finish, semi-gloss, gloss, or satin paint is the best choice for kitchen cabinets. These finishes are more durable and washable, making them more resilient to scrubbing and cleaning. They also reflect light, making colours appear more vibrant and helping to make the room appear larger. Eggshell or flat finish paint should be avoided, as they are not as durable and are more likely to show rub marks.

Prepping the area

Before you start painting your kitchen cabinets, it's important to prep the area to ensure a smooth and efficient painting process. Here are the steps you should follow:

Empty the Cabinets and Remove the Doors:

Start by removing everything from the cabinets and labelling each door and drawer with painter's tape, indicating their placement. This will make it easier to put them back in the correct spots later. Remove the doors, drawers, and hardware. If you're planning to reuse the hardware, label and keep them together in a safe place.

Clean the Cabinets:

Use a degreasing solution or a multipurpose cleaning agent compatible with your cabinet material to thoroughly clean the cabinets. This step is crucial as it ensures the paint will adhere correctly and results in a more durable finish. Pay extra attention to areas with heavy grease, such as above and below the cooktop or stove. You can use a product like Krud Kutter or a mixture of mineral spirits and Dawn dish soap for effective grease removal. Don't forget to clean the cabinet doors and the areas under the sink, as these tend to accumulate grease and grime.

Repair Damages:

Look for any imperfections such as deep scuffs, nicks, holes, gouges, or scratches, and repair them using wood filler. Squeeze the wood filler into the openings and use a putty knife to spread and smooth it out. Let it dry according to the instructions before proceeding to the next step.

Cover and Protect Surrounding Areas:

Cover your countertops, appliances, and other areas you want to protect from paint splatters. You can use rosin paper or plastic drop cloths to protect your countertops and flooring. Tape off the interior of the cabinets to prevent paint overspill. Additionally, tape plastic sheeting over the backsplash, windows, fixed appliances, and interior doorways to protect the rest of the house from dust and fumes.

Sand the Cabinets:

Lightly sand the cabinets to create a rough surface that will help the paint adhere better. Use a medium-grit sandpaper or a sanding sponge, and pay extra attention to detailed areas on doors, drawers, and corners. If your cabinets have a laminate surface, be careful not to sand too deeply to avoid damaging the laminate. A light once-over should be sufficient.

Vacuum and Wipe Down the Area:

After sanding, it's important to remove all the dust from the cabinets and surrounding areas. Use a vacuum to clean all surfaces, paying extra attention to corners and crevices. Follow up with a tack cloth to ensure that everything is dust-free before you start painting.

Painting techniques

Painting your kitchen cabinets is a great way to update your kitchen without breaking the bank. Here are some tips and techniques to help you achieve a professional-looking finish:

• Choose the right paint: Select a high-quality paint that is suitable for your cabinet material. For wood cabinets, you can use either latex or oil-based paint. Latex paints are user-friendly as they dry quickly and can be cleaned up with water. However, they take longer to fully cure and are more susceptible to stains. Oil-based paints, on the other hand, form a harder and more durable finish but are more expensive and less user-friendly. Special cabinet paints are also available, offering a smooth professional finish.
• Select the right applicator: You can choose between spraying, rolling, or brushing the paint. Spraying will give you the smoothest finish, but it can be tricky and requires renting spray equipment. Brushing is a more user-friendly option and can be done with natural or synthetic bristle brushes or foam brushes. Rolling is a good technique for larger flat surfaces, ensuring a smooth and streak-free finish.
• Prepare the surface: Start by emptying the cabinets and removing the doors, drawers, and hardware. Label each piece with masking tape to ensure proper reassembly. Clean all surfaces with a degreaser solution such as trisodium phosphate (TSP) to remove grease and residue. Fill any holes or damages with wood filler and sand the surfaces to create a rough surface for better paint adhesion.
• Prime the cabinets: Apply a coat of primer to all surfaces, including the cabinet frames, doors, drawers, and shelves. Use a brush for detailed areas and a roller for larger flat surfaces. Primer provides a suitable base for the paint to adhere to and covers imperfections. Let the primer dry completely before proceeding.
• Paint the cabinets: Start painting by following the same technique as priming. Paint the inside edges and openings of the face frames, then move to the outer cabinet sides and fronts. Paint the cabinet doors and drawer fronts, paying attention to crevices and corners. Apply thin coats of paint and allow sufficient drying time between coats. Lightly sand between coats to ensure a smooth finish.
• Reassemble the cabinets: Once the paint is completely dry, reassemble the cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware. If you are using new hardware, drill new holes and use a mounting template to ensure proper alignment.

Drying and curing

Drying painted kitchen cabinets usually takes about 1-2 weeks, while the curing process can take up to a month or thirty days. During the curing process, the paint becomes harder and less susceptible to damage. It is important to note that you can begin using your cabinets before they are completely cured, but you should take special care during the curing process. Avoid using any chemicals to clean them, and be gentle with the cabinet doors to prevent banging or slamming.

The curing time depends on the type of paint used. Oil-based paints typically take about a week to cure, while latex paints can take up to 3-4 weeks. Chalk paints and milk paints have similar curing times, taking about a month to fully cure.

To speed up the curing process, you can use a dehumidifier to remove extra moisture and humidity from the air. Additionally, applying multiple layers of thin paint and ensuring proper ventilation can also help reduce the curing time.

Frequently asked questions