How to Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets the Right Way

While traditional kitchen cabinets are stained to retain their natural wood finish, others are painted to match the décor of the room and the home. However, not all painting efforts are successful because kitchen cabinets are not the same as the walls and ceiling of your residence. That’s why understanding how to paint your kitchen cabinets the right way is so important to achieve the desired appearance.

Repainting your kitchen cabinets is an inexpensive way to change the appearance of the room. It’s also one of the best ways to bring your kitchen back to life without having to do any major renovations. To get started, you will need to do the following.

Ventilate the Area

If you can, remove the cabinets from their mounts and move them to the garage. This will allow you to paint with more room and better ventilation with the garage door open. Be sure to lay down drop cloths to catch any paint splatters.
If you want to keep the cabinets on the walls, then use painter’s tape around the edges of the walls and ceiling to avoid getting paint outside the cabinet area. Add drop cloths to the floor and open the windows before you paint so the air will flow through. Turning on a fan to draw out the air inside is a good idea as well.

Prep the Cabinets

Start by removing all the drawers, doors, and hardware from the cabinets as you will need as much room as possible. Set everything aside and put the hinges and screws into a container so you can keep track of them. Next, wipe down the cabinets with a cloth that has been dampened with vinegar or a multipurpose cleaner wipe. You’ll want to rub hard enough to remove any dust, dirt, or stains on the cabinets. Keep in mind that deep stains may be covered by the paint.

Sand

Use a medium to fine grit sandpaper and rub down all the surfaces that will be painted on the cabinets. This will remove any old paint and let you sand down any bumps or imperfections. But more importantly the sanding will help the new paint grip the surface, so you get the right results.

Paint

Now you are ready to paint. Be sure to use an acrylic latex-based paint that has a semi-gloss finish. This will provide enough shine to the cabinets to make them stand out, but not too much. Plus, semi-gloss is more durable than satin or matte finishes, so they will last longer.

If you are painting dark cabinets a brighter color, you may have to start with a coat of primer. This will prevent the darker colors from coming through the lighter paint. Using a primer will also cover up minor imperfections in the cabinets themselves. Once you are done with the cabinets and doors, let them fully dry before putting back the hinges and screws.

The more you learn about paint and how it interacts with wood, the better your understanding of how to paint your kitchen cabinets the right way.

If you are looking for interior painting contractor who can help you paint your kitchen cabinets contact Tilo Martin Painting today.