Cabinets: Painting

There is nothing like a new coat of paint to freshen up a dull room. It is also a creative and cost effective way to bring new life to your cabinets.

To get the most enjoyment out of your painting adventure, it is best not to go added by leaps and bounce. Instead, take a more methodical approach one-step at a time.

The first step is to empty the shelves and drawers of their contents. And to remove all of the doors, drawers and hardware, numbering everything as you go, that way could put everything back right where it was.

Then rub your cabinets up a bit with a light sanding using medium grit sandpaper or a sanding block. This creates what is called “tooth” which helps t he paint adhere to the surface. A tag cloth works great for wiping off all the fine dust.

Now, your cabinets are ready for paint, but you are not — not until you mask the adjoining walls and ceilings, cover the counter tops and protect the floor with drop cloths. The cabinets will need a prime coat and at least two finished coats of paint, which begs the common question, oil or latex?

Oil-based paints are often recommended because they provide a washable and stain-resistant finish. Latex enamel may not have the durability for oil paint but you won’t have the odor and all you need for clean up is water.

As for primers, you can find that some that are formulated to totally block out existing stains. Another tip is to have your primer tinted to the color of the finished coat. In this way, you may not need a second coat of the finished coat. Either way, your prime coat should be spread in a thin even layer throughout and allow it to completely dry over night.

For painting, you can either use a brush which will give you more control or a sprayer which will get the job done faster. When spray-painting, work in a comfortable, well-ventilated area. Follow the sprayer manufacture’s guidelines and wear proper eye protection and a particle mask.

Try to keep the nozzle a uniform six inches or so from t he surface being careful not to over spray and create drips.

After the cabinet doors and drawers have dried overnight, you can reinstall them along with the hardware. Voila! Your cabinets look like new and all it took was some paint, your handy work, and a weekend.