Tips for Repainting Your Kitchen Cabinets
Posted on: 14 March 2017
When you're looking at options for remodeling your kitchen, one of the first things you might want to do is repaint the cabinets. Repainting will give you the chance to completely change the look of your kitchen, but only if you do it right. Here are a few tips to help you get the professional finish that you're looking for.
Remove All of the Hardware Before Painting
It's extremely difficult to get a complete, even coating of paint on the cabinets without taking the doors off the cabinets and then removing all of the hardware. Sure, it's faster to paint them in place with the hinges and handles still in place, but you'll have gaps, runs, and even face earlier wear if you can't coat it well. Save yourself the impending frustration by removing the doors and the hardware before you try to paint them.
Clearly Mark and Separate Doors and Hardware
When you take the cabinet doors down, you need to be sure that you put them back where they go. Put a small piece of masking tape on the back of each cabinet door to mark them in the order that they go back on the cabinets. At the same time, you'll want to put the hardware for each cabinet door into a separate bag and number them as well. That way, you can be sure that you have all of the proper hardware and cabinet door placements when you're ready for reassembly.
Prepare the Wood Properly
If you want the paint to adhere to the cabinets properly, you need to take time to prepare the wood carefully. Clean all of the cabinets with a grease remover first. That way, there's no residue on the wood to interfere with paint adhesion.
Sanding is also important. Use a medium-grit sandpaper to rough the surfaces up just a little bit before you paint. It will help the paint stick. Once you're done sanding, use a tack cloth or something similar to wipe the surfaces down. That will keep sanding dust out of the paint. Vacuum the whole area as well so you don't get any excess dust on brush or the cabinets.
Apply Primer Before Paint
Even if you have a paint that goes on evenly and covers well, you still need to apply primer under it. This will prevent the wood from bleeding through underneath, especially if there are any knots in the surface.
With these tips, you can create a professional-looking finish. If you're not confident, talk with a local cabinet contractor like Olson Cabinets & Woodworking Inc about having the work done by a specialist.
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