Painting cabinets in your home can be a very exciting and transformative experience. It is one of the DIY projects that provide a whole new look to your kitchen or living room. Moreover, choosing the right color and doing the job smoothly will add a personal touch to your bedroom and bathroom.
Painting cabinets is a cost-effective project if you are planning to do it yourself. However, if you are doing it for the first time, you will need to have some expert advice by your side.
Below in this article, we have jotted down some points that will help you in cabinet painting as a beginner. Keep reading to find out how to approach it and finish the project successfully.
Table of Contents
Why Paint Your Cabinets?
Before we tell you how to do it, let’s explore the answer to why you should paint your cabinets. There are many reasons for this. First of all, painting your cabinets is a budget-friendly and cost-effective option as compared to replacing them.
Plus, painting your home cabinets in your own way enables you to show your personal style and update your space without a major renovation. A well-executed cabinet painting job can increase your home’s resale value and make it more attractive to potential buyers. Moreover, choosing to paint cabinets instead of replacing them contributes to sustainability by reducing waste.
Start with Preparation
Now that it’s time to start painting your cabinets, you will need to start by evaluating the current condition of your cabinets. Note any repairs needed, such as loose hinges or damaged surfaces. This is also the time to decide on the color scheme and finish you want.
In case of the right gear and supplies, you will need wood filler, painter’s tape, brushes, and high-quality paint. Once you have all these things on your side, clear the area around your cabinets and cover surfaces with drop cloths to protect them from paint splatter.
Remove cabinet doors and hardware, but make sure to keep track of screws and other small parts.
Cleaning and Sanding
Before you paint any surface, you will need to clean it thoroughly, use a mild detergent solution to clean the cabinet surfaces. Ensure you remove any grease, grime, or residue that may affect the paint’s adhesion.
After this, you will need to sand the cabinet surfaces with medium-grit sandpaper to create a rough surface for better paint adhesion. In case there are any imperfections on the surface, make sure to fill them with wood filler. After filling them, sand the filled areas once they’re dry for a seamless finish.
Priming the Surface
Select a high-quality primer suitable for your cabinet material. Apply a thin and even coat and allow it to dry completely before sanding lightly. While you may have sanded it before, doing it between primer coats ensures a smoother finish. Again, you will need to use fine-grit sandpaper to remove any imperfections.
Now your surface is completely prepared to have the first coat of paint. Select a durable and high-quality paint that suits your desired finish. Most homeowners prefer woody colors on their cabinets. You can choose wood stain colors from the Cabinet Door Store to match your preferences.
Consider using a paint sprayer for a professional-looking result, but brushes and rollers can work well too. So, the choice is completely upon you what gear you want to use.
Giving Finishing Touches
Once you see that the paint has dried completely, apply a clear topcoat to protect the finish from wear and tear. This step is very important for getting long-lasting results from the painting job you have done.
After doing this, carefully reattach the cabinet doors and hardware. Take your time to ensure everything aligns perfectly.
