Hi and a happy Friday to you.
Today I am going to share the steps for painting your cabinets. I got a couple of emails asking to for instructions and now that they are finally up it seems like the right time.
First let be tell you that this is not my first time to the cabinet painting rodeo. I did the cabinets at our old house, my sisters kitchen and bath and the bathroom here so I can say what works with some confidence. The only difference with the kitchen cabinets here is that mine were already painted thus taking longer with the extra step of removing the paint.
Anyone can paint cabinets, it’s easy. No special skill required only the ability to live with dirt, dust and upheaval.
So lets dive right in.
Supply List
- small sponge roller with tray x2 (one for primer and one for paint)
- quality paint (not paint made for painting cabinets) (I use a pearl finish)
- primer
- quality paint brush
- drop cloth
- saw horses
- wood
- sanding blocks
- fine and rough sandpaper
- scraper
- paint/varnish remover
- rubber gloves
- tsp cleaner (inside cabinets if painting those)
- wood filler
- tack cloths
- hand broom
- painters tape
- cheap paint brushes (these are for using the paint/varnish stripper)
- metal pan (for the stripper)
- hand sander
- baggies (to keep hardware)
- safety glasses
- dust mask
- protective clothing (to wear during the stripping)
1. Numbering your cabinets and doors
Before removing doors from the cabinets I always number them. Taking pieces of painters tape I write two of each number. One for the door and one for the cabinet when the door belongs.
This step will safe you the headache of trying to match up the doors later. Trust me on this; don’t skip this step. You’ll be removing and moving the numbered tape a lot when you strip and paint but it is worth it.
2. Removable
Remove the doors from the cabinets and then remove all hardware. Place screws and hinges in baggies and the same with the knobs because if you are using them again there is nothing worst than losing those suckers. If not bag it all up and consider donating them to the Restore.
3. Setting up work space and prep work
Pick an area that’s ventilated with doors or windows that can open especially when using strong chemicals like paint stripper. Today there are lots of low vac paints but I would still chose a well ventilated area. Lay down your drop cloths and set up your saw horses with two boards in between. Depending on the amount of cabinets will dictate how many you’ll need or in my case you’ll realize you have to work on so many at a time. Lay out your doors. Use painters tape around the bottoms of the cabinets to protect your floors.
4. Stripping
Whether you have painted or varnish cabinets you’ll need to get it all off. The best painted cabinet and doors are those brought right to the bare wood. There are many types of stripper and varnish removers some that removes paint, some that remove varnish and some that do both. Wearing your rubber gloves apply the stripper to the doors with your cheap brush. Follow the instructions on your stripper.
I work about four or five doors at a time. The stripper takes a bit of time to work. It will bubble, crack and pop. Fun stuff. I usually wait fifteen minutes or so. Do not get this on your skin, it will burn. Start scrapping it off. You might have to apply a few coats depending on how many layers of paint and varnish there are. Don’t worry if it all the paint did not come off it will when you start sanding.
5. Fill Holes
Once things are stripped fill all holes with wood filler and allow to dry.
6. Sanding
Now that your paint and varnish have been removed and your holes filled its time to sand. I use a hand sander and sanding blocks. Using a course paper followed by a fine paper I remove any and all paint and varnish bringing the door and cabinets to the bare wood. Sanding is dirty work. Be prepared to have it everywhere.
I used plastic to close off the area to keep the dust down when doing the cabinets in the kitchen. Once this is done use a shop vac and hand broom to clean up the dust. Then using a tack cloth go over your doors and cabinets. Don’t skip this step. Dust is fine and the only thing that gets it all is the tack cloth.
7. Priming
Prime your doors back and sides allow them to dry then flip and prime the fronts. Follow the instructions on your brand as drying times vary. I use a sponge roller and old brush. One coat of primer is fine. Once dry use your sanding block to get rid of any runs or imperfections. Then use your tack cloth to get the dust.
8. Painting
Now finally we paint. Always paint the back of the doors first. Also do your sides, tops and bottoms. Use the brush for any decorative or hard spots followed by your sponge roller. Do not over paint to get coverage. It’s better to apply several coats. Allow proper time for drying in between. Some paint says six hours, some twenty-four so be sure to read the instructions on your paint.
At this stage you don’t want to ruin all your hard work and have to sand. Once you apply your last coat to the back and sides, etc allow your door to cure. I always wait a few days. It’s a pain I know because you want to get these suckers up but even if the paint feels dry to touch it’s not. So wait a few days. Once dried turn over and paint your fronts. If like me you have many doors and need to work in batches place paper towels between each door when you stack them.
9. TSP and cleaning your cabinets
I added TSP in the supply list for cleaning the insides of your cabinets if you want to paint. TSP is a strong cleaner that cuts through grease. Follow the instructions and your paint will stick well. Also I would recommend using a semi-gloss for the inside as its more cleanable.
Now sit back and enjoy your new bright kitchen. You’ll be amazed just how much it has changed the look of your kitchen. If you have any questions please let me know and I’ll do my best to answer.
Cheers and have a great weekend.