Have you been staring at your kitchen and wishing that your cabinets were a different color? Hiring a painting crew can be extremely expensive, but you really do wish that you could finally have the cabinets the color you’ve always dreamed. The good news is that painting kitchen cabinets is a project that you’re absolutely capable of tackling on your own!
If your cabinets are wood or any wood variant that can be sanded then you’re in great shape. Even glossy wood can be worked with as long as the gloss is removed. You’ll want to remove all the cabinet doors and all of the cabinet hardware. Clear out everything in the cabinets. Now is a great time to fill in any holes or repair any damage to the wood by using wood fillers. Tape off every hinge, countertop, and appliance – anything where paint isn’t going. Now sand, sand, sand! There’s going to be a lot of sanding for a project of this scale!
The next step is to put on a layer of primer. Don’t try to cut corners by buying paint+primer products. These do not work as well as advertised. An oil-based primer is the best, but is not available in all states. The next best choice is a latex-oil primer. Remember how we talked about sanding? You’ll need to sand again after putting on a layer of primer, though not nearly as intensely as the first time.
Now you’re finally ready to paint! Buy quality paint because you’re going to want something that’s long-lasting and doesn’t need to be touched up often. Seriously, you don’t want to do this whole project twice! Apply two coats of paint to the surface using a 2 to 2 1/2 inch bristle brush. Take your time and don’t over-apply the paint! Globs don’t go away! And because your kitchen is a utility room, you’re going to want to finish with a gloss, semigloss, or satin. Matte finishes and even eggwhite finishes will not last long under the constant cleaning and wiping conditions of a kitchen environment.
Painting kitchen cabinets is a great project for the home, but it does take time and a lot of elbow grease. But you’ll absolutely love the finished look and it’s a project that you can be proud of!
Read the full article here: How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets: 5 Tips From A Master Painter