Knowing how to paint a kitchen cabinet can save you a substantial amount of money, and give your kitchen cabinets a whole new terrific look. This process is not complicated or difficult, all you need is a little know how and a willingness to do the effort. Anyone can paint kitchen cabinets in a few simple steps, and you do not need any special experience or training. Painting your kitchen cabinets can be done in five easy steps, unless you want to paint decorations and designs, and then this will add an additional step to the process. Why wait or pay an enormous amount of your hard earned money to replace your kitchen cabinets if there is nothing wrong with them except for their look.
Before you start to prepare the cabinets, inspect them closely, looking for any damage or wear that may need to be replaced before you start the painting. Once you are satisfied that all the cabinets are in great shape, it is time to start the preparation and painting process. The first step in the preparation process is a thorough and complete cleaning of all the cabinets. Make sure they are empty, and then use an all purpose household cleaner to wipe them down completely. Remove any grease, grime, dirt, food and other substances, and anything else that may be sticking to them. It is crucial that all the surfaces are clean before paint is applied, otherwise the paint may not stick or may clump together, ruining a smooth look.
Once the kitchen cabinets are entirely cleaned and allowed to dry, it is time to sand them. Use fine grit sandpaper so that only a small layer is removed. Go over every surface of the cabinet completely, making a couple of passes. This step is necessary to roughen up the surface so that the primer will grab and stick. This step is essential, and many times it is skipped and then the owner will wonder why their painting does not look professional. Always make sure that all of the surfaces, including the facings and thin strips are smooth, so that you end up with a high quality paint job. After the sanding is done, use a slightly damp cloth or rag to wipe down the surfaces of the cabinet and remove any fine debris from the sanding.
Now it is time to do the priming. Apply a thin coat of primer. This allows the paint to grip the surface better and will prevent chipping and peeling of the finished paint job. Primer adds a layer to the surface and bonds with the paint. Primer will also cover any stain or dark colored paint, which would otherwise bleed through the paint and cause an unappealing appearance on your kitchen cabinets.
Now you are ready to start the painting process. Painting your kitchen cabinets is simple, but there are some things you should keep in mind. Do not rush, and make sure that you apply thin even coats instead of thick coats. Repeated thin layers will stand up and look much better than fewer coats that are thicker. You want a professional and quality look to your kitchen cabinets, and the only way to do this is to take the time necessary to do the job right. Apply the paint in a thin even layer across the entire cabinet surface. Now let it dry completely. Do not be tempted to add another coat too soon, because this can mar the finished look. Add the first coat of paint to all of the cabinets, and let them dry properly. This can be anywhere from one hour to twenty four hours or more, depending on the type of paint being used as well as the thickness of the layer.
The last step is to repeat the painting process until there are a sufficient number of coats on the cabinets. This will vary depending on the type of paint you will be using, and may be as little as two or as many as five or six coats, or even more. It is critical to let every coat dry completely before adding the next one for a smooth and perfect finish and look. That is all there is to it. Once the cabinets have been finished and they are dry, simply replace or re-install them, and enjoy your fabulous new kitchen. Painting your kitchen cabinets can be a big improvement to the way your kitchen looks and feels, and can have the same effect as replacing the cabinets with only a small fraction of the costs.
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