DIY Kitchen Cabinet Painting – One of my favorite home improvement subjects is kitchen cabinet painting. This is because it can be done relatively inexpensively and you can do it yourself. Often the task is easily completed in a weekend and the results on an old kitchen are dramatic.
Refreshing your kitchen is a lot of work, so why make it any harder than it actually is. There are several things you can do to kitchen to give it a face-lift, some of these things can be costly for some people. However painting your cabinets is an affordable and fast way to bring your kitchen back to life. There are many techniques, which you can use to paint your cabinets. Some of these styles may include a brushed stainless steel patina or even a French Nuevo finish. No matter what look you want to achieve painting your cabinets is one affordable way to get the job done.
Faux finishes are one way of achieving many different looks while painting your kitchen cabinets. Faux finishes can include looks such as leather grain, zebra striped woods and even brushed copper or stainless steel, these are just a few of the looks that you can achieve using a faux finish. You can achieve this look on your own or you can purchase a kit to help you along the way. These kits are designed with systematic instructions for you to follow, so that painting your kitchen cabinets does not have to be a difficult or dull task.
Standard painting or even a primitive finish are both popular as well and very easy to accomplish on your own with out having to hire expensive contractors and painters to get the job done. Although, the hardest part of painting your cabinets may be choosing your color pallet. You should know what color you want before you get started. Rustic deep reds and eggshell whites are the perfect complement for any kitchen if you want to achieve that sought after primitive country look.
Here are six basic steps to take in order to accomplish a do-it-yourself kitchen cabinet painting project:
Step 1: Sizing up your job.
Cabinets made of wood; wood laminates and metal are easily repainted. If your cabinets are made of plastic laminates the process could require a little more consideration. Those that are able to be painted over may require special techniques and materials. If your project involves plastic laminates it is recommended that a professional dealer be consulted. Always test a sample of the selected paint on an obscure area to ensure proper bonding occurs before committing to using your selection of paint.
There are a variety of applications to choose from. Paint can be applied with brushes, rollers or by spraying. Each has its own advantages or disadvantages. You experience and the amount of painting to be done are good indicators for which is best for you. Another implication might be the type of paint or finish you have selected.
Step 2: Removal of the Doors and Hardware
As you remove the doors and drawers you want to also remove all hardware. Hardware consists of knobs, pulls, hinges and latches. It is always a good idea to put these in a safe container to ensure that nothing is lost. Another good idea is to number the doors and drawers to ensure they are put back in their original places.
Step 3: Cleaning the Repainted Surfaces
Kitchens are used extensively in your home. Because of this they are also victim to grease and oil. Steam is a contributor as well. Food splatter also increases the need to ensure that all surfaces be thoroughly cleaned before you begin the work process. There are a variety of cleaners available for removing residue from the paintable surfaces. Avoid cleaners that contain oils. A degreasing solution is best. Make sure that all surfaces are rinsed well but not saturated. They need to be completely dry before continuing to the next step.
Step 4: Sanding the Repainted Surfaces
Light sanding is all that is usually required to prepare for painting. It is recommended that a sanding block be used to avoid rounding of corners and edges. If you are not painting the inside areas of the cabinets simply mask off the interiors with masking tape. You need only sand the front surfaces and whatever edges are visible. As long as the old paint is well adhered and sound it is not necessary to completely remove it. The goal here is to rough up the surface so that the new paint will adhere to it properly. A good rule of thumb to go by is to sand until all shiny surfaces have been dulled. Make sure that all dust from sanding is removed before you continue to the next step.
Step 5: Priming the Cabinets
The first consideration is to applying a coat of primer and/or sealer. Do this evenly on all surfaces. This will supply a proper surface for the new paint to bond to. This will ensure that the new paint is bonded properly and sufficiently durable after it is completely cured (dried).
Step 6: Painting the Cabinets
This is always a favorite place to be with your project. Start your painting with the face frames by painting the inside edges and frame faces. From there move to the outer sides of the cabinets. These areas are done quickly and since they are less visible it is a good chance to get warmed up to the project without making mistakes on the more visible areas. Be sure to correct any drips and smudges while the paint is still very fresh.
The doors and drawers are next. Don’t forget to include any trim molding that may apply. Apply your paint thoroughly and evenly. Be sure that the material flows into any cracks, joints or crevices as you go without allowing it to build up. Apply a thin, even coat without overworking the brush. This will create bubbles and blemishes. Allow four hours between coats and lightly sand each coat before reapplying paint. Due to the high usage of kitchen cabinets it is recommended using three coats. You won’t be sorry that you did.
When painting your kitchen cabinets you want to make sure that you have picked the appropriate color to match your decor. The easiest and most practical way to choose the appropriate color scheme for them would be to go to your local painting supply store and ask to see their paint chip selection. They will more than likely have thousands of colors for you to choose from to ensure that you will have the color you want for your kitchen cabinets. Paint chips are chips of color on paper that you may be interested in choosing and in most places you will be able to take these colors home with you for further selection and so that you can have more time to review them.
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