Painting kitchen cabinets is a great way to refresh the look of your kitchen without having to replace them entirely. Another great way is to improve your kitchen is by adding a new feature such as a multi-purpose island and painting the fitted cabinets to match or complement it We look at how to paint kitchen cabinets professionally and create a perfect finish quickly.
Why Paint Kitchen Your Cabinets
Why learn how to paint kitchen cabinets professionally? It’s an affordable way to give them a brand-new look. Not only does it help freshen up your kitchen, but it also allows you to customize it. Make the kitchen yours by picking out whatever style or color suits your taste, such as sage green kitchens. You can also update the handles and change the counter; you’ll have a whole new kitchen! Rather than paying professional painters, why not give it a go yourself?
What If The Cabinets Are Not Wood
Get ready to revamp your kitchen with a makeover that won’t break the bank! From laminate, metal, and thermofoil surfaces. You can easily achieve an impressive transformation by prepping cabinet doors properly, then adding primer and paint. With just these few steps, you’ll have cabinets boasting a beautiful and durable finish.
Is This A DIY Project
Homeowners embarking on a DIY project have many options, from painting kitchen cabinets to spray-painting supplies. But before you start, consider your budget and confidence level for the job – it’s no small task!
With determination and some practice, any homeowner can paint their cabinets like a pro or even fix appliances with ease.
Clean Out
Before you begin painting cabinets remove all cabinet doors, drawers, drawer pulls, and, cabinet hardware. Ensure to clean off any grease or dirt from inside and outside of cabinets for a perfect finish.
Repair & Preparation
Painting a kitchen cabinet can be an art form, but the key to achieving professional-looking results is proper prep work. Identifying and repairing imperfections beforehand will ensure a smooth paint finish when you’re ready to get started on your project.
The right filler needs to correspond with the surface of each individual cupboard. Making it essential that extra care goes into selecting just what type should be used for repair work!
Themofoil
Thermofoil laminate cabinets offer a sleek, contemporary look for cabinetry. However if one needs repairs or refinishing it can be done – albeit with some care and preparation.
First, the thermofoil should be gently peeled back to remove any old adhesive. Then apply fresh cement as per the manufacturer’s instructions. A flat piece of wood squeezed on top will help reduce excess material. Then ensure proper drying time by clamping down properly.
In cases where vinal damage has occurred, don’t fret! Give all cabinet surfaces a light sanding, and this will give a new paint finish something “to adhere” to.
Vinyl Wrap
Over time, the vinyl wrap on cabinet doors and panels can become damaged beyond repair. To prepare these surfaces for painting, they must be sanded back to a smooth finish. Use 120 Grit Sandpaper which will create an optimal base layer that allows the paint to adhere effectively.
Metal
How to paint kitchen cabinets without sanding? Make sure they are metal! Paint nearly always needs a key to ensure the paint doesn’t lift off from the surface. However, this isn’t the case with metal, it just needs to be completely clean.
Use an Ammonia based cleaner on the cabinets. Use a metal brush to brush away any rust. Spray the metal with phosphorus acid and leave overnight, this will show up any rust you missed.
Wood
Revitalizing wooden cabinets starts with sanding away any oil, varnish or paint that may have been applied. Any chips can be repaired using a wood filler. In addition, the surface needs to remain smooth throughout wiping off the dust from damp cloths.
If doors consist of panels, pay attention to all joins. These should be filled in with a fine-line latex filler. Then wipe over to remove excess using either your finger or another moistened rag.
In cases when old door surfaces are thickly coated in paint, opt for light sanding only. This then will not damage intricate features panel doors often boast such as dark grain set amidst painted frames!
Paint Finish
When aiming for a professional and seamless look to their cabinet painting project, choosing the right method is essential. Hand painting or spraying can both be great options depending on experience level.
Spray painting will create that extra-smooth finish. However, cheaper spray guns are unreliable and still difficult when using a quality machine. This takes experience to perfect.
A foam roller is likely your best bet to avoid paint brush strokes or paint drips on your cabinets.
Some argue that oil-based paint can have a smoother finish and durability. Newer Latex paints become, however, these paints can take up to 3 weeks to dry. This is not good when your kitchen is in a mess. If you buy Latex paint, make sure it is 100% Acrylic. Metal paint primer and a top coat will be needed for metal cabinets.
Before reaching for the paint sprayer, ensure you have ample ventilation. Don’t forget to use painter’s tape around fixed appliances. As well as other details like wall and counter joints, for expert results every time.
Apply primer to all areas to be painted. As a guide, pour paint into one end of a paint tray and roll over the raised lines of the tray surface a couple of times. This spreads the paint over the roller and removes excess before applying it to the cabinet.
Allow drying as per paint can instructions, thoroughly clean out the paint tray, and throw away the roller foam. Replace foam for every coat. Some top coats allow for just 1 coat, but you will likely need two. This will be evident once the first coat has dried, look at a painted door in different lights.
Conclusion
The conclusion of How To Paint Kitchen Cabinets Professionally is that it’s a great way to give your kitchen an updated look without having to buy all new cabinets. Following the steps above will help ensure that your painting project goes smoothly and you get the desired results. Remember, go slow, be patient and take breaks when needed – it’s worth it. Why not check out our post on how to plan a renovation, if you’re still in the mood for some hard work?
