How To Paint Kitchen Cabinets Like a Pro

Painting your cabinets is a great way to renew and revitalize a room. However, one thing you absolutely don’t want is a cabinet that looks as if an amateur has painted it. You need to learn how to paint your kitchen cabinets like a pro!

Now, your first step is to choose paint. Cabinets, particularly kitchen cabinets take a lot of punishment, so you need a good, durable paint. Professionals use enamel for painting cabinets, since it’s very durable, and so easy to clean. Oil based enamel is your best choice, since it dries to a nice, hard finish. If you would rather use latex based enamel, be sure to apply a coat of sealer after your last coat of enamel has dried. This will protect the painted surfaces.

When you’ve chose your paint, remove all the hardware from your cabinets. This means handles, door pulls and hinges. Taking your cabinet doors off will make painting them much easier, and will prevent paint from dripping on your floors and counters. Be sure to label them so you can keep track of where they belong. Removing the hardware keeps it clean and paint free, and it’s an important step in painting your cabinets like a pro.

Your next step is to clean all the surfaces you are going to paint. Start by wiping them with de-glosser, wearing rubber gloves to protect your hands. Be sure to use a clean, lint-free cloth. De-glosser eliminates oily residue and waxy buildup. It also raises the wood grain, making it easier to sand any rough spots. You want your surfaces to be consistently smooth, so be sure to sand rough patches using 220-grit paper, though for rougher wood you might want to use coarser sandpaper. Wipe the surfaces clean with a tack cloth.

If you’re replacing your hardware, make sure the fittings match those of the old hardware before you start painting. If they don’t, fill the holes with wood putty, let it dry and sand it smooth. Remember to wipe it clean with a tack cloth after sanding.

Now you are ready to start painting. You can paint using a brush, a sprayer or a roller. A sprayer is fast, but also expensive and it can be messy if you aren’t careful. A brush is a good, versatile tool, particularly for fine work. If you use a brush, choose one with china bristles. These are soft, natural bristles that let the paint flow freely, and leave fewer brush marks. However, your best choice is a roller. A roller is inexpensive, leaves no brush marks. In addition to this, it can cover more in a single stroke than a brush ever can. This is essential if you want to be able to paint your kitchen cabinets like a pro.

Apply your first coat of paint, completely covering all surfaces. If you’re using a brush, don’t completely cover it in paint. Dip the top third into the paint, and wipe off excess paint to avoid drips. Regardless of the tool you choose, be sure to apply your paint in long, smooth, even strokes. After that first coat has been applied, allow it to dry before you apply your second coat… twenty-four hour drying period is best. Sand the surface gently with fine-grit sandpaper, and dust it with the tack cloth. Now you can apply that essential second coat, allowing it to dry for twenty-four hours before replacing the hardware and re-hanging the doors. Look over the cabinets in the light to make sure your paint job is consistent, and that you haven’t missed any spots. If you haven’t, then you can reinstall your hardware.

A tip: To make painting easier, establish a pattern. Paint the insides of the doors first, for example, then the frames, then the drawer fronts and so on, and keep with that pattern until you are done.

You don’t have to paint your kitchen cabinets one solid color. They can look even better if you try different finishes, like crackle or splatter. Stencils are also a great way to personalize your cabinets, making them look unique.

So if you want to make a change, try a new coat of paint. Your kitchen will feel like new now that you know how to paint your kitchen cabinets like a pro.

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