Painting the cabinets is an easy and inexpensive way to redecorate a kitchen. A new coat of paint can change the look of a kitchen or emphasize unique architectural features. Painting new or replacement cabinets allows the homeowner to create the mood that reflects his or her style of living. Although painting kitchen cabinets is relatively easy to accomplish, careful attention must be given to planning, prepping, and priming before starting to paint.
Planning
The planning phase sets the tone for the success of the project and helps eliminate unexpected problems. To get started, consider the following questions:
- Are the cabinets unfinished, or are they already painted or stained?
- Are the cabinets made of wood, or are they made of a synthetic material?
- Are the cabinets a combination of wood and plastic? Do they have a wood door and plastic decorations?
- Are the cabinets being repainted with the same paint, or will a different paint be applied?
- Will the interior of the cabinet be painted, or just the exterior?
- Will the shelves be painted?
- Will the floor trim be painted to match the cabinets?
The answers to these questions determine what primer and paint will be used, whether a roller or brush is the best option, and how long the job will take. If the cabinets are being repainted with the same type of paint, the homeowner can perhaps skip the priming phase. If the cabinets are made of synthetic material, they will need a specific kind of primer. If just one cabinet is being painted, it may be quicker to spray paint rather than use a roller.
The decision to paint the interior of a cabinet is influenced by the current color compared to the new color. A brown interior and a white exterior present an unattractive contrast when the door is opened. Contrasting colors also mean that extra care must be taken to make sure the paint does not bleed over to the inside of the cabinet. In addition to the aesthetic aspect, the resale value of a home decreases if the cabinets are sloppily painted.
If base kitchen cabinets are being painted, decide whether the floor trim will be painted to match the cabinets or whether it will be left in its natural state. If the trim will be painted, choose a corner to delineate the line between the painted and unpainted trim.
Prepping
The time spent prepping the cabinets is vital to a polished, finished product. The first step is to remove everything from the cabinets. Remove the cabinet doors and drawers; mark them so that they can be put back in the correct place. Remove all hinges and handles. Use mild soap and water to remove dirt and grease from every surface that is to be painted, and then wipe with clear water.
Most kitchen cabinets have a gloss or finish on them that must be removed before painting; otherwise, the paint will not adhere to the cabinet. This includes cabinets that are already painted. The gloss can be removed either by chemical means or sanding. A chemical deglosser may be the quickest, but it has an odor and emits fumes. Sanding is the simplest but leaves dust and debris.
If a chemical deglosser is used, follow the manufacturers instructions. If the finish is removed by sanding, use a medium- to fine-grit sandpaper. Sand with the grain; sanding against the grain does not remove blemishes from the wood. In fact, it can mar the wood, and the damage will show through the finish paint.
When the sanding is completed, wipe the cabinet with a clean paper towel or an oil-based solvent to pick up any dry sawdust. Do not use water on a wood cabinet because water raises the grain of the wood and causes the wood to swell.
Over time, painted cabinetry becomes chipped and scratched. After the finish has been removed, fill in the nicks and scratches with wood putty; this is easily accomplished with a putty knife. If possible, use putty that matches the color of the final coat of paint. Allow the putty to dry thoroughly, and then lightly sand the puttied areas.
While waiting for the putty to dry, use masking tape or painters tape to tape off the walls and countertops adjacent to the cabinets. Although masking tape is less expensive, it is better to use painters tape because of its easy-release capability. If the floor trim is to be painted, apply tape to the floor. If the trim is not to be painted, tape off or remove the trim.
To make sure the tape is applied straight, hold the roll against the cabinet as the tape is being applied. Leave an inch or two at the top and bottom of the tape, and then cut it off at the corners with an exacto knife or razor blade to ensure a precise line. Using a small putty knife, lightly press the edge of the tape against the wall. This will lessen the chance for paint to bleed underneath the tape.
Priming
Once the kitchen cabinets have been sanded, repaired, and cleaned, they are ready for the primer coat to be applied. Primer bonds to the surface being painted and creates a hard surface to which the finish paint can adhere. A primer seals in stains from water, dirt, or smoke, provides a layer of waterproof protection, and gives the finish coat a uniform appearance.
Primer paint is water-based. Because water does not adhere to materials such as fiberglass and plastic, cabinets made of synthetic materials should be painted with a primer designed specifically to work on plastics.
Preferably, the color of the primer paint should closely match the color of the final coat. Cabinets sustain chips and dents due to normal wear and tear; when this occurs, the primer coat will be exposed.
Before applying the primer, cover the floor and countertops with drop cloths to catch any paint spatters. Prime paint the front of the cabinet doors first; while the doors are drying, prime paint the cabinets. When the door fronts are dry, turn them over and prime paint the reverse side; while they are drying, prime paint the drawers.
Usually only one primer coat is necessary. Allow the primer to dry before applying the finish paint.
Rollers and Brushes
Although prime painting is essential, applying the primer coat is also good practice for applying the final coat of paint. As such, the same care and equipment should be used for the prime coat as the final coat.
Using the correct paintbrush controls the amount of paint that is applied and eliminates drips and runs. A roller is preferred because it gets the job done quicker and applies the paint more evenly than a brush. Buy a high-quality roller cover rather than a cheap one; cheap roller covers tend to leave nap residue or fuzz in the paint.
A roller with a ¼-inch nap provides the best control for kitchen cabinets because of the hard surface of the cabinet. A ½-inch or a 3/8-inch roller absorbs too much paint; when too much paint is applied, the paint will drip and run and leave overlapping roller lines.
Rollers come in 3-, 6-, 9-, and 18-inch widths. Using a 3-inch roller on the edge of the cabinets will result in a clean edge and eliminate spillover. If a brush is used rather than a roller, the paint will usually spill onto the inside of the cabinet.
The center of the doors and cabinets can be painted with a larger-width roller. Do not use just one roller in order to minimize cleanup. Buy different sizes as this will speed up the work.
Cabinet fronts that are slabs or panels can be painted with a roller; embossed or raised cabinets need to be painted with a brush. If the front has an intricate design, it may be more conducive to spray paint the door. This will allow the primer to get into the nooks and crannies and will also speed up the work.
The Best Paint to use for Kitchen Cabinets
The best paint to use for kitchen cabinets is water-based enamel paint because it results in a hard finish. A hard finish resists scratches and nicks. Classic enamel paint used to be common in oil-based paints, but it is expensive. Many manufacturers of water-based paints changed their formulas to harden their acrylic paints.
Although an enamel paint is the best, if enamel paint is difficult to find or cost is a consideration, it is okay to use an acrylic-enamel blend. A latex paint is not a good option for kitchen cabinets because it is flexible and soft. It can easily tear if a kettle or appliance is banged against the wall; if it is used on base cabinets, it can easily be dislodged by shoe scuffing.
As with the primer, paint the door fronts first, then the cabinets, drawers and the reverse side of the doors. Two coats of finish paint will be needed to ensure there is no bleed-through of color and to eliminate roller marks. Let the paint dry thoroughly between coats.
If the kitchen cabinet is a small one, such as a base cabinet or curio cabinet, it can be spray painted. If multiple cans are used, make sure all of the cans come from the same dye lot. Apply the paint lightly so that the second coat builds on the previous coat. Let the first coat dry two to three hours, and then apply the second coat. Again, be aware of the material the cabinet is made of and decide whether a special primer is needed.
Hinges and Handles
Wooden cabinet handles can be painted, but do not paint the metal hinges or metal handles. The constant opening and closing of the cabinet doors and the continuous rubbing on the handles will cause the paint to chip and look unsightly in a short time.
Using vinegar water or some other metal cleaner such as Brasso, scrub the hinges with a small toothbrush. A simple cleaning can restore old hinges to a like-new condition.
Cleanup
Once the second finish coat is dry, it is time to reassemble the cabinets and clean up the work area. Begin by carefully removing the tape from the walls. If masking tape was used rather than painters tape, be aware that if too much time elapses before removing the tape, paint may be pulled off of the wall when the tape is removed.
Another potential problem is that when the tape is finally removed, it can pull paint off of the newly painted cabinet. To avoid this, run an exacto knife or razor blade down the edge of the cabinet between the cabinet and the tape, cutting any paint that may have run over onto the tape. Then, remove the tape.
Finding Kitchen Cabinets on eBay
New and used kitchen cabinets can be found on eBay. Buyers have the option to buy cabinets at the listed price or participate in auctions against other bidders. Many cabinets offered on eBay include free shipping as well as eBays buyer protection program.
Go to eBay.com and do a search for "kitchen cabinets." Search results can be refined by narrowing the search to used kitchen cabinets or searching for a specific type of cabinet, such as kitchen base cabinet. Search results can also be narrowed by clicking on either Auctions Only or Buy it Now.
Need more help choosing the perfect kitchen cabinets? Check out this video:
Conclusion
Painting the kitchen cabinets is an economical decorating option that is fun, easy, and shows quick results. Whether it is painting existing cabinets or buying and painting new or used kitchen cabinets, freshly painted cabinets make a kitchen come alive. With the proper planning and preparation, painting kitchen cabinets is a breeze.
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