Transforming Glossy Cabinets: A Guide To Painting Over Shine

Painting over glossy cabinets can be a challenging task, but with the right tools and preparation, it is possible to achieve a smooth and durable finish. The first step is to remove all hardware, including handles, knobs, and hinges, to ensure easy access for painting and to protect them from paint splatter. After that, it is crucial to thoroughly clean the cabinets and sand them down to remove the glossy finish. This step is important as it helps the paint adhere better to the surface. Once the surface is prepared, a primer can be applied, followed by the paint itself. It is recommended to use a brush for the corners and edges, and a small roller for a uniform finish. Depending on the desired finish, a second or third coat of paint may be necessary.

Remove hardware and doors

Painting over glossy cabinets is a great way to update your kitchen without spending a fortune. However, it is important to prep correctly and choose the right paint to ensure a good finish and long-lasting results.

The first step is to remove all the hardware with a screwdriver. This includes handles, knobs, and hinges. Keep the screws safe in a container and label them so you know which cabinet they belong to.

Next, take the doors off one at a time, adding the hinges and screws to your container. Label the doors with a number and mark which way the hinges go so you know how to put them back. You can use a marker or a Sharpie for this.

Clean the doors

Once all the hardware and doors are removed, it's time to give the doors a good clean. Use a damp cloth and sugar soap to thoroughly clean each door, front and back. You can also use warm soapy water. Then, leave the doors to dry completely before painting.

Sand and fill

If your cabinets, doors, or drawers have any small cracks or holes, fill them with a good all-purpose filler. Once the filler is dry, sand it down to get rid of the gloss shine and provide better adhesion for the paint. Use fine-grit sandpaper (180-220 grit) to create a smooth surface. You can use a power palm sander with fine-grit paper or do it by hand. Remember to wear a face mask and safety glasses while sanding.

Wipe away the dust particles with a clean cotton rag. If you need to use a damp rag, make sure the cabinet is completely dry before applying primer or paint.

Clean the doors

Before you start painting, it's important to prepare the surface of the cabinets and doors. The first step is to give all areas a good clean with sugar soap. This will remove any dirt and grease that could prevent a perfect finish.

Fill a bucket with warm water and add sugar soap as instructed. Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands. Use a kitchen scourer to scrub down all areas and then go over them with a clean damp cloth (just use clean warm water) to get rid of any remaining dirt and residue. Leave the doors to dry completely before you start painting.

If your cabinets have been painted before, you might need to take extra steps to clean them. Try using an abrasive pad dipped in a liquid deglosser to scrub down all of the surfaces. Hold a rag underneath to catch drips. Before the deglosser evaporates, quickly wipe away the residue with another clean, deglosser-dampened rag.

Sand and fill

Sanding and filling is an important step in the process of painting over glossy cabinets. It helps to create a smooth surface for the paint to adhere to and ensures that the final finish is durable and long-lasting. Here is a detailed guide on how to sand and fill your cabinets before painting:

Step 1: Identify areas that need filling

Before you begin sanding, inspect your cabinets, doors, and drawers for any small cracks, holes, or imperfections. These areas will need to be filled before you start sanding.

Step 2: Fill the cracks and holes

Use a good all-purpose wood filler to fill in any cracks, holes, or imperfections on your cabinets. Make sure to follow the instructions on the filler product and allow the filler to dry completely before proceeding to the next step.

Step 3: Sand the filled areas

Once the filler is dry, it's time to sand down the filled areas. Use a fine 180-220 grit sandpaper to create a smooth surface. Sand until the gloss shine is removed and the surface feels even. This step is crucial as it helps the paint adhere better and creates a more uniform finish.

Step 4: Sand the entire surface

After addressing the filled areas, you'll want to sand the entire surface of the cabinets, doors, and drawers. This step helps to create an even texture and ensures that the paint will adhere properly. Use the same grit sandpaper as before and apply light, even pressure as you sand.

Step 5: Remove dust

After sanding, use a dry paintbrush or a vacuum with a soft brush attachment to remove any dust or debris from the surfaces. It is important to remove all the dust to ensure that it doesn't interfere with the painting process.

Step 6: Inspect and repeat if necessary

Once you've sanded and removed the dust, take a step back and inspect the surfaces. Make sure that all the filled areas are smooth and level with the rest of the cabinet. If you notice any imperfections or missed spots, repeat the filling and sanding process as needed until you achieve a uniform and smooth surface.

Remember, proper preparation is key to achieving a high-quality finish when painting over glossy cabinets. Take your time with the sanding and filling process, as it will pay off in the final result.

Prime the cabinet boxes

Now it's time to prime the cabinet boxes. If the cabinets are heavily stained, use a stain-blocking primer, which will dry quickly and seal any surface defects that might bleed through the topcoats. In most cases, however, a stain-blocker won't be necessary, and an oil-based or 100% acrylic latex primer will work just fine.

Pour the primer into a paint tray and load your roller and brush. Use the brush for the edges and tight spots, and the roller for the large, flat surfaces. Start by brushing the primer on the cabinet boxes, following the underlying structure of the cabinet or door. Where a rail butts into a stile, for instance, paint the rail first, overlapping slightly onto the stile, and then paint the stile before the overlap dries.

When priming the cabinet boxes, brush on the primer across the grain, and then "tip-off" by passing the brush lightly over the wet finish in the direction of the grain. Always tip-off in a single stroke from one end to the other.

After priming, wash your brush and roller sleeve, and pour any remaining primer back into the can before cleaning the paint tray.

Paint the cabinet boxes

Painting the cabinet boxes is a relatively straightforward process, but it does require careful preparation and the right tools. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you paint the cabinet boxes:

• Remove the cabinet doors and hardware: Take off the cabinet doors and remove all hardware, including handles, knobs, and hinges. Keep the screws and hardware organised in a safe place.
• Clean the cabinet boxes: Use a degreaser solution or a mixture of warm water and sugar soap to thoroughly clean the cabinet boxes. This step is crucial to remove any grease or grime that could interfere with the paint adhesion.
• Sand the cabinet boxes: Use a fine-grit sandpaper, such as 180-220 grit, to sand the cabinet boxes. This step will help create a smooth surface and improve paint adhesion. Pay extra attention to corners and edges, sanding them slowly and thoroughly. Use a dry paintbrush to remove dust from sanding.
• Prime the cabinet boxes: Apply a coat of primer to the cabinet boxes. You can use a brush for the corners and edges, and a small roller for larger, flat surfaces. The primer will ensure that the paint adheres well to the cabinets.
• Sand, caulk, and fill: After the primer is dry, lightly sand the flat surfaces with 220-grit sandpaper. Use a medium-grit sanding sponge for profiled surfaces. Fill any seams with latex caulk and smooth it with a damp finger. Fill small dents, scratches, or dings with vinyl spackle and smooth them with a putty knife.
• Paint the cabinet boxes: Choose a paint colour and type that suits your desired finish. You can use a brush and roller for painting. Start by cutting in along the edges and corners with a brush, then use a roller for the larger flat surfaces. Allow the first coat to dry, then lightly sand the surfaces. Apply a second coat of paint to ensure a consistent and perfect finish.

By following these steps, you will be able to achieve a beautiful and durable paint finish on your cabinet boxes.

Frequently asked questions