Pre-Painting: 4 Steps to Painting Kitchen Cabinets Like a Pro
By Natalie MorrisRefacingCabinet.com Columnist
You're ready for a change in your kitchen. A big change. But you just don't have the budget for completely new kitchen cabinets or even for a smaller ticket project like kitchen cabinet refacing. Don't give up hope! You still have one option that can completely overhaul the look of your kitchen without breaking the bank: painting your kitchen cabinets.
The cost for painting your cabinets is minimal: paint, primer, and supplies like brushes, sandpaper, and tarps. But be aware that what you save in cash you more than make up for in sweat equity. If you want your cabinets to look like they were painted by professionals--and not a kindergarten class--you need to invest plenty of time in the project and not take any shortcuts in the process, even before you start painting.
Pre-Painting Step 1: Label Cabinet Doors Before You Start
Possibly the most important step you take when painting your kitchen cabinets is to carefully label the cabinet doors. The last thing you want to do after you've spent hours and hours prepping and painting and waiting is to struggle to figure out which door goes where. Number or otherwise label each door and be sure to keep track every step of the way.
Pre-Painting Step 2: Clean Your Kitchen Cabinets Carefully
Kitchen cabinets can become frightfully dirty and you don't even know it. Think about all of the grease splatters, fingerprints, and general dirt that can build up in a high-traffic area like the kitchen. Then picture all of that grime on the cabinet door you're about to paint. Start with a simple dish-soap and warm water combination and if that doesn't seem to do the job, move on to more heavy-duty commercial solutions.
Pre-Painting Step 3: Sand Your Cabinets Well
You were probably tempted to skip the cleaning step--and this one as well. But don't do it. Sanding your cabinet doors, regardless of whether they were previously stained or painted, prepares the surface to accept and hold on to the paint. Before you sand, fill in any deep grooves, chips, or other imperfections. After you sand, make sure to wipe down the kitchen cabinets with a damp lint-free towel.
Pre-Painting Step 4: Prime The Cabinets
If your cabinets have never been painted or if they were painted with oil-based products and you're moving to a latex paint, make sure you apply a primer. The primer ensures that a strong bond is created between the door material and the paint that you apply next.
Painting kitchen cabinets can be a perfect solution for an inexpensive kitchen remodel. But as much as you may be anxious to get the painting finished, maximizing your prep work pays off with a smooth process and a beautiful finished result.
About The Author
Natalie Morris is a freelance writer who loves to learn and ask questions. Her favorite home improvement activities include gardening, organizing, and painting large expanses of wall while her husband does the trim work. Natalie holds a bachelor's degr
