How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets

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In this blog post, we will discuss how to paint kitchen cabinets. Painted cabinets can add a lot of character and personality to your kitchen, while also making it more practical by hiding the imperfections in your cabinetry. I have been painting my own cabinets for years now and I have found that there are a few tips that every painter should know before they take on their next project.

What are Kitchen Cabinets?

They are the storage units that hold all your dishes, glasses, and food.

What are Kitchen Cabinets Made of?

They are typically made out of wood or a composite material such as plywood with melamine facing. Over time they can get dirty and start looking run down which is why many people opt to paint them instead.

Where Can Kitchen Cabinets Be Painted?

You can paint them anywhere but the kitchen is the most popular place.

How Often Do I Need to Paint Kitchen Cabinets?

Every few years will be needed if you are painting over dirty cabinets with a dark color. If you have clean, white cabinets then they can stay looking good for much longer without being painted again.

How Much Does it Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets?

There are many factors that will play into the cost of painting cabinets. The size of your home, how much paint you need, and what type of materials you choose all affect the overall price. A good estimate for a larger house would be $700 while smaller homes can expect to pay about $200 on average if they want their kitchen painted.

Factors to Consider Before Painting Kitchen Cabinets

1. How much work are you willing to do?

Painting cabinets is a lot of work so it will take some time and effort on your part. If you don’t mind doing the grunt-work then go for it but if not, there are other options such as refinishing them with chalk paint or hiring someone to do it for you.

2. What will you use to paint the cabinets?

You need a high-quality brush and roller set in order to get good results. Cheap supplies won’t work as well so it is best to make sure that they are of decent quality before committing.

3. How dirty are your cabinets?

If they are very dirty then you should give them a good scrub before painting. If not, then just make sure that there is no dust on them and it will be easier to paint.

4. How much prep work needs to be done?

You need to remove all the hardware and doors from your cabinets before you can begin painting. If they are not prepped properly then it will cause problems during the process so make sure that this is completed first.

5. How much paint will you need?

Calculate how many cans of spray paint or primer/sealer that you are going to need before starting. You don’t want to run out halfway through the project so make sure that there is enough for each coat.

6. How much time do you have to complete the job?

Give yourself ample time for this project. It is not something that can be done in one day so make sure that you are free and don’t rush it either as rushing causes more problems than anything else.

What Supplies Will I Need?

You will need the following supplies:

Sandpaper
Primer

Paintbrush
Roller or sprayer depending on your preference and what type of paint you plan to use.
Painter’s tape if you want a crisp line between different colors.

How Do I Prepare Kitchen Cabinets Before Painting Them?

First, you should clean out your cabinets. You can use an all-purpose cleaner or soap and water to do this. Make sure that they are completely dry before moving on to the next step which is sanding them down with rough grit sandpaper if needed. This will make it easier for the paint to adhere.

After sanding down the cabinets, you should fill in any dings or holes with wood putty and let it dry before painting over them. If there are areas of your cabinet doors that have peeling veneer then they will need to be completely removed first. You can remove the veneer using a heat gun and veneer remover.

Next, you should sand the cabinets down with fine-grit sandpaper to get rid of any dirt or dust that might be leftover from the previous steps. After this has been done, wipe them clean to make sure there isn’t anything on them before moving on to priming.

To Prime or Not to Prime?

You should definitely prime the cabinets if you are painting over dark colors since they will not look good until it is covered. You may not need to prime them when using a lighter color with primer in it like Pure White by Benjamin Moore. If you choose this route, then remember that you will need to apply a few coats of paint since the primer is only really designed for one coat.

How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets in Easy Steps

Step 1: Make Sure Everything is Clean and Dry

Before you do anything, make sure that everything is clean and dry. Dust can cause problems with the paint so wipe it down before starting this project. The cabinets should also be completely free of dirt or grime since they will not look good after painting if there are any traces leftover from before.

Step 2: Sand Everything Down

If your cabinets are old or have never been painted before, then they will need to be sanded down with coarse-grit sandpaper. You should also use this if you are painting over dark colors since the paint won’t take otherwise. If not, then there is a chance that it will peel later on so make sure that you do this step.

Step 3: Fill in Any Holes

If there are any holes or dings, then you should fill them in with wood putty before painting. This will make the cabinets look more aesthetically pleasing and it will also make sure that paint doesn’t get on your fingers when trying to open doors. Let this dry for about 30 minutes before moving on to the next step.

Step 4: Use a Fine-Grit Sandpaper to Smooth Everything Out

After letting the wood putty dry, sand everything down with fine-grit sandpaper so that there isn’t any dust left over from before. This will make it easier for the paint to adhere and also ensures an even coat once you start painting the cabinets.

Step 5: Prime the Cabinets if Needed

After letting everything dry for a little while, you should prime your cabinets with an oil-based primer unless you are using paint that contains one. This will make it easier to paint over and also ensures better coverage of whatever color you decide to use on them in the end. Remember though that you will need to apply a few coats of paint since the primer is only really meant for one coat.

Step 6: Apply as Many Coats as Needed with Your Paint of Choice

After all that has been done, you just have to wait about twenty minutes before applying your first coat of paint on your cabinets and then continue this process until you have covered everything properly. The number of coats needed will depend on the paint that you use so follow the instructions provided to make sure it comes out just right.

How to Remove Paint From Kitchen Cabinets in 6 Easy Steps

There are many different ways to get rid of the paint on your cabinets.

Step 1: Heat Up the Paint

You can use a heat gun to make this process easier by heating up the paint. This will soften it and you should be able to easily scrape it off with your fingernails or another blunt object once that happens. Be careful though since too much heat might cause further damage so only do this if necessary and take frequent breaks if you get tired.

Step 2: Use a Paint Remover or Acetone to Take it Off

A paint remover might be your best bet when getting rid of the paint on cabinets since they will dissolve all of them in short order. You can also use acetone, which is more effective but highly flammable and hazardous to your health.

Step 3: Use a Heat Gun and Soak with Paint Thinner

Once you have used the heat gun to get rid of as much paint as possible, soak it in some paint thinner, and then use another heat gun or hairdryer on low-heat mode to make sure that all of the fluid is taken care of. This will make it easier for you to scrape off what’s left with your fingernails.

Step 4: Sand Everything Down

You should use fine-grit sandpaper or steel wool on any areas that are still covered in paint so that they can adhere well when painted over. After this, all there is left to do is paint them and see how it goes.

How to Maintain Kitchen Cabinets after

Painting Them

Cabinet painting is a great way to improve the look of your kitchen since it will make them pop out more. However, you also need to know how to maintain cabinets after painting them so that they hold up over time and don’t require touching up later on down the line. Here are some things that you should keep in mind:

Keep them Clean

The first thing you need to do is keep your cabinets clean so that there isn’t any dust or dirt on them. This will make it easier for the paint to stick and also ensure a longer lifespan in general since anything on their surface can easily scratch off if not treated properly.

Step on it

You should also apply some protective floor mats or strips on the bottom of your cabinets to make sure that they don’t get worn down over time. This is especially important if you have hardwood floors in your kitchen since this will ensure that nothing gets damaged when people are walking around.

Clean up after Cooking

This might seem obvious but be sure to clean up any spills or messes that happen on the cabinets if you have been cooking. This will help prevent stains from setting in and ensure a longer life for your kitchen since it won’t be damaged due to food getting stuck on them over time.

Waterproofing your cabinets can extend their life-span by years

If you want to make your cabinets even more durable and last for a long time, you might want to waterproof them. This is especially important if they are made out of wood since it can help prevent damage from water when people spill things or wash dishes in the kitchen sink nearby. The easiest way to do this without having any issues is by applying polyurethane on the surface. Be sure to do a good job sealing out any cracks and crevices so no water can get in between or it won’t be as effective.

FAQs on How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets

Why should I use paint thinner to take off the old paint?

Paint thinner is one of the most effective ways to remove all traces of any existing paints that are on your cabinets since it will dissolve them easily. This way, you do not have to worry about using something aggressive or damaging in order to get rid of what’s there so this is a great way to take care of it without any issues.

Will sanding them down help the paint job last longer?

Sanding your cabinets is advisable if you want to ensure that they hold up well and don’t suffer from scratches or other damage over time. This will also make it easier for new coats of painting so this should be done no matter what kind of paint you are using.

What kind of paint should I use?

Personally, I would recommend using an oil-based primer and high-quality latex paint. This will make it easier to apply two coats without any problems so you don’t have to worry about the coating not sticking properly or having issues with cracks later on. It’s also easy to clean up if you do make any mistakes so it’s pretty versatile for beginners.

What kind of paint thinner should I use?

You can’t go wrong with a standard type of paint thinner since this will help dissolve the existing paints on your cabinets and ensure that you have a clean surface to start painting from scratch without worrying about anything else. This is usually very inexpensive and easy to find at most hardware stores.

What about polyurethane?

Polyurethane is a great way to waterproof your cabinets since it can help prevent water damage from occurring when there are spills or if someone washes dishes near it. This will be especially important for any wooden surfaces so that they do not get chipped or damaged due to water exposure.

Wrap Up

In conclusion, painting your cabinets can be a great way to give yourself more storage space and make it look much nicer overall. Was How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets easier?