How To Professionally Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets

Okay, so you want to know how to paint kitchen cabinets professionally. Maybe your old cabinets are starting to show their age, or you’re just tired of the way they look. Whatever the reason, painting cabinets is a big job – but it doesn’t have to be a difficult one.

To professionally paint your kitchen cabinets, you’ll need to start by removing all the cabinet doors and drawers. Then, you’ll need to sand down the cabinets to create a smooth surface. Once that’s done, Once that’s done, apply a primer to the cabinets and let it dry. Once the primer is dry, you can start painting!

Paint is one of the most common ways to change up your kitchen. It’s also a great way to update an outdated kitchen, or just give it fresh new life without having to re-do the whole thing. Painting cabinets can be intimidating because so many steps go into painting them correctly and professionally.

Preparations Before Painting Kitchen Cabinets

1. Make Sure Your Cabinets Are Clean

If there is any existing paint on them, remove it with a chemical stripper or sanding before you start painting the cabinet doors. This will give you a nice smooth surface for the new finish and ensure that everything goes smoothly when it comes time to prime the doors.

2. Tape Off Any Areas That You Don’t Want to Be Painted

This includes the tops of your cabinet doors, drawers, and anything else around your cabinets that doesn’t need to be covered in paint. Using painter’s tape makes this process simple. It only sticks when wet so once you finish painting everything will come right off.

3. Carefully Cover Your Appliances

Make sure to use a drop cloth or some other kind of covering that can easily be removed from the floor after you’re done painting. You don’t want any paint on it since this will mean having to do an extra step in order to get rid of it, and may even affect how well the cabinets turn out.

4. Unpack Your Cabinets

Unpacking your kitchen cabinets will allow you to get into the nitty-gritty of painting them so that they turn out perfect. This also means making sure any hardware is removed before starting with priming and paint because most hardware can’t be painted over safely.

Factors To Consider Before Painting Kitchen Cabinets

When it comes to painting kitchen cabinets,  you have a few things that need to be taken into consideration.

1. The Type of Paint Used

There are different types of paint for cabinets so you need to choose the best one that will ensure a smooth and professional finish.

Standard latex or acrylic paints tend to work great, but they require multiple coats in order to achieve their full potential. Oil-based enamels also work well since they can be applied with very few brush strokes, which is going to mimic the look of a professional paint job.

Latex paints are very common and offer a great finish, but oil-based enamels work better for painting cabinets since they require fewer coats to get the desired color on them. It also helps that this paint is naturally resistant to water at all costs, making it perfect for the kitchen.

VOC-free paints are also a great choice for cabinets since they don’t emit harmful fumes into your home while you’re painting them. If you don’t want to use oil-based enamels, this is definitely going to be your best bet- and there’s no reason not to go green when choosing paint for your cabinets.

2. The Color of Your Cabinets

If you want to paint kitchen cabinets, then it’s important that you choose the right color for them. This can be decided by how much natural light comes into your home and what base cabinet colors work best with the surrounding area.

The more lighting there in your house, the lighter-colored cabinets are going to work best. This is because dark colors absorb more light and can make a room feel smaller than it actually is.

Match the color of your cabinets to the existing decor in order to give them a cohesive look. This will also help you eliminate any doubt that they aren’t be perfect for your home.

3. The Type of Finish You Want

This goes back to the main types of paint for cabinets, where standard latex paints are going to give a smooth gloss finish, while oil-based enamel is best used if you’re looking for that flat or matte look. VOC-free paints also come in both finishes, so it’s up to your preference which one you want to go with.

The best way to get the right finish is by choosing the paint that works for your cabinets and what kind of look appeals more to you since it’s ultimately going to be up to your personal taste in the end.

4. The Number of Cabinets You’re Painting

If you have a lot of cabinets, then it’s best to divide them up into sections and paint one section at a time. This will make for an easier process since there won’t be as much pressure on each individual cabinet, which means they’ll look more uniform in the end.

Don’t paint all of your cabinets in one sitting unless you have a lot of time to do so. It’s better to break up the task into many sessions, but ensure that at least twenty-four hours have passed between each session since it takes this long for the paint to dry out completely.

This happens because oil-based paints take longer than latex paints to dry out, so it’s important that you realize this in order to get the best results when painting kitchen cabinets.

5. The Color of Your Countertops

This is important because it ties in with the number one factor when painting kitchen cabinets, which means that you need to make sure you use a different paint for your counters if they’re going to be visible once the project has been completed.

Your best option here would be to go with something like an oil based enamel to ensure that you get the best possible color on your countertops. This is going to work well with cabinets because it makes a seamless transition from one area of your house into another and gives off an airy feeling in any room which benefits the kitchen most since it’s where food preparation takes place.

6. The Number of Coats You Apply

The more coats that are applied to your cabinets, the thicker they will be, which is important for a few reasons. First off, it’s going to make the color darker which means fewer coats will need to be applied in order for them to look their best. The second reason why this matter has got do with the overall durability of your cabinets.

The more coats you apply, then the stronger they’re going to be which makes them less likely to chip over time especially if you have kids in your home that can accidentally damage things with their toys or other items around the house. The main thing is not to go overboard because doing so will make each coat of paint harder to apply and get rid of all the bubbles that may come up during this process.

To prevent your cabinets from looking like they have blobs of color on them, make sure you go with at least two coats even if it means going over each individual cabinet more than once. This is for everything to look its best by the end of the project.

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How To Professionally Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets

When painting kitchen cabinet doors, you should keep a few things in mind so that they look great every time.

1. Make sure to use foam brushes instead of regular paintbrushes. This will allow for more control over the finish and even the paint distribution.
2. Use a paint sprayer that works for cabinets. It will cut down the time needed to complete this job. This is good because it means you can get more done faster, so there’s no need to worry about how long everything takes, and you’ll have the results you want sooner rather than later.
3. It’s always best to go with more than one coat of paint.  This will make the colors pop out even more and look deeper. The darker you want them, the more coats are going to be required, so it’s best if you start off lighter in color before moving on toward something darker at a later time once everything else has dried completely.
4. Make sure to prime the cabinets first before you paint them. This will ensure that all your hard work doesn’t go to waste and that they look their absolute best by everything said and done.
5. Don’t forget about any knobs or handles with pulls on them. They can also be painted, so long as you don’t mind if they stand out in the color department. This is because you’ll need to paint them separately so that they don’t get mixed up with everything else and ruin your cabinets’ overall finish, which would be bad for everyone involved.
6. Give each coat enough time to dry before applying any more coats. Otherwise, it may not look right when all is said and done, and you may end up needing to sand it down once everything is finished.
7. Make sure that your paint goes not higher than 12 inches off of the ground at most. Since more than this will cause drips which means, a lot of work needs to be done for them to look right again. This isn’t good because it means you’ll be required to do a lot of sanding and other things for everything to look right again.
8. Don’t forget about any seams or creases. They can easily become damaged if they’re not taken care of correctly, which means it’s best to apply another coat over them so that water won’t cause major problems later on.
9. Don’t forget about the flooring since you’ll also need to tape it off for everything else to look perfect and not have any paint go over onto places that shouldn’t be covered. This is important because once the cabinets are finished, there’s no going back, so make sure they’re done right from start to finish.

Tools And Materials Needed to Paint Kitchen Cabinets Professionally

1. Paintbrushes

You will need several different size paintbrushes to ensure you are using the right brush for any part of your painting process.

2. Sanding Block

You don’t want to sand all your cabinets by hand. That’s a huge waste of time and can lead to ruts in your cabinets if you don’t have the right touch. Using a sanding block will ensure that everything is smooth and even. Just so you can get to applying the finish coat.

3. Cotton Cloths

These are for wiping down your cabinets to remove any dust or dirt that you may have missed before applying the finish coat. Since you don’t want any extra particles to interfere with the finish, make sure you get rid of everything before starting.

4. Measuring Tape

Make sure to measure the inside of your cabinet doors before you start painting so that they turn out even and symmetrical. You can also use this to measure the length of your cabinets so that you get an even coat of paint on both sides.

5. Paint Tray

You will need a paint tray in order to get an even coat of paint on all your cabinet doors. You can also use this for when you are applying the finish coat so that you can make sure to get it everywhere.

6. Putty Knife/Scraper

Using a putty knife or scraper will allow you to remove any excess paint on your cabinets. This makes it easier to get the finish you want without having to worry about getting paint in any areas that might have been missed.

What Finish to Paint Kitchen Cabinets

There are a few things to consider when choosing a finish for kitchen cabinets.

The Overall Style of The Kitchen.

A darker finish like cherry or walnut may be a good choice if the kitchen is more traditional. A lighter finish, like white or cream, may be a better option if the kitchen is more modern.

The Color of the Walls and Countertops.

If the walls are light, a darker finish on the cabinets may be a good way to add some contrast. If the walls are dark, a lighter finish on the cabinets may be a good way to brighten up the space.

The Amount of Use the Kitchen Gets.

If the kitchen is used frequently, a more durable finish, like oil-based paint, maybe a good choice. If the kitchen is used less often, a less durable finish like water-based paint, may be a better option.

FAQs On How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets Professionally

How To Paint Kitchen Cabinets White?

Rust-Oleum white spray is our best pick paint color for kitchen cabinets. It offers durability while also providing a beautiful, clean look. When painting kitchen cabinets white, I always recommend using paint and primer in one to ensure good coverage and durability. I also recommend using a paintbrush and roller specifically designed for painting cabinets.

Do I Need to Sand My Cabinets Before Painting?

Yes, you will definitely want to make sure that everything is smooth and any imperfections have been taken care of. Without doing this, your paint won’t adhere correctly. Moreover, it could cause problems when trying to get a good coat on the cabinets. You can use either wet or dry sandpaper to do the job. Then, clean off any dust or grime that might remain.

How Do I Apply the Primer Coat?

The best way to get an even coat of primer is by applying it with a paint roller rather than a brush or sponge. You will want to make sure that whatever method you decide on, you cover all areas thoroughly so that the primer is evenly spread.

How Do I Apply the Finish Coat?

The same method you used for applying the primer should be fine for this step. You don’t want to get any gaps in between your coats and it will take a few rounds before everything looks even and consistent again. If there are still problem areas, add another coat or two until you are satisfied.

What Type of Paint Should I Use for Cabinets?

You can use any kind of paint that is meant to go on wood surfaces, whether it’s latex or oil-based. Ensure that the instructions allow you to apply this over a primer coat before painting your cabinets.

When Do I Add the Finish Coat?

You will want to add this over your second coat of paint. That is after it gets enough time to dry. You can choose whether you would like a thin or thick layer. But, make sure you apply evenly on all parts without gaps for best results.

How Much to Paint Kitchen Cabinets?

The cost to paint kitchen cabinets varies depending on a few factors, such as the type of paint you use and the number of coats. However, you can expect to spend anywhere from $200 to $600 to paint your kitchen cabinets. The cost will be higher if you hire a professional to do the job.

What Color to Paint Kitchen Cabinets?

You could choose many different colors to paint your kitchen cabinets, but it can be tough to decide which color would be best. You’ll want to consider the overall look you’re going for in your kitchen and the other colors in the room. You don’t want the cabinets to clash with the rest of the decor, so it’s important to choose a color that will complement the rest of the room.

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Wrap Up

In conclusion, painting them is a great choice if you are looking for an easy way to update your cabinets. Make sure that you have the proper supplies and follow these steps in order to paint your kitchen cabinets professionally. We are hopeful that this article will be of great help to you.

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