Did you know that the shelf life of a kitchen cabinet can be extended by repainting it with quality paint? Kitchen cabinet spray painting has been a standard practice for home remodelers for ages and today, the practice continues.
But before you even decide to repaint your kitchen cabinet, you need to know the steps to take. Below, we review all you need to know about spray painting kitchen cabinets and the steps to take.
Steps to take to paint your kitchen cabinet
You want your kitchen cabinet to come out looking great; here are the simple steps to take. Follow these steps in the highlighted order and your cabinet will become as good as new.
Step 1 – Empty the cabinet
You want to start by removing every single item from the cabinet. Remove the shelves, and doors from the cabinet box. Make sure that there are no items lying inside the cabinet or by the side. You want everything out of the way before you start the job.
Step 2- Wipe the exterior with a degreaser
Use a TSP degreaser or anyone you can lay your hands on to wipe the cabinet. This will remove any sticky substance from the cabinet that will ruin the finish.
Step 3 – Wipe the cabinet and its parts
Wipe the cabinet, drawers and doors with a dry cloth to prep the cabinet for the painting.
Step 4 – Use a 120 grit sandpaper
It is very important to use sandpaper grit to smoothen the cabinet. This will remove any grippy surface or rough patch on the body for a smooth finish.
Step 5 – Blow out the dust
Sanding the cabinet will generate sawdust which you have to clean off otherwise it will cling to the surface areas when you start painting. To blow out the dust, you can use a Vac and bristle brush attachment for the job. But if you don’t have a vacuum you can use a dry cloth all the same.
Step 6 – Apply a Primer
Now is the point to apply a primer over the cabinets. This process is very important because priming them will allow the paint to stick and not chip after a time. Priming creates long-lasting value and color.
Step 7 – Paint the Cabinet
At this point, you can paint the cabinet along with the drawers and doors. Work every area and corner with your brush and leave no space untouched. Ensure that every single area is perfectly coated. After painting, leave them to dry for a while
Step 8 – Add a second coat
Add a second coat by painting the cabinet a second time. Adding a second layer of coat will give your cabinets, door and drawers a uniform look. But make sure you add an extra coat after every 8 hours. Don’t rush the process but do it methodically for the best results.
Step 9 – Leave it to dry
After applying the last coat, leave them to dry completely apart before you reassemble them.
Step 10 – Reassemble the cabinet
When you are sure that the paint is fully dried you can now reassemble the doors and drawers in their proper place.
What will you need for your kitchen cabinet repaint?
There are some materials and tools you will need for the job. Here they are:
Trisodium Phosphate: Also called TSP, this material is a very important one in the process. TSP will make the cabinet, drawers and doors sticky so the paint will not chip. It also serves as a deep cleaning solution to remove dirt and debris.
Hand Gloves: All the materials you will be working with contain chemicals so you need to protect your hands with protective gloves. The kind of gloves we speak of are chemical-resistant gloves that will stop any of the materials from penetration.
Sanding Grit: You want the surface to be smooth and you will need a sanding grit for that. A 120-grit sanding paper will do but if you have a sanding machine, all is well and good. You will also need a sanding hook or block to hold the sanding paper so it stays in place.
Dry cloth: A dry cloth is required to remove dusty remnants from the surface after sanding. Having dust freckles covering the surface will ruin the quality of the finish.
Wood Filler: The cabinet is most likely to have a few holes and cracks that the paint will not cover. These holes and cracks can be covered with a wood filler. If used properly, the cabinet will have a polished loom.
Paint Brush: You will need quality paint brushes that can absorb as much paint as possible with each dip. We recommend a set of brushes rather than one or two especially if your cabinet is a big one. Brush sets also allow you to paint with different colors.
Paint tray: Using a paint tray is much better than a bucket. Trays are shallow so you don’t have to reach deep to scoop the paint. Make sure the tray you use is wide enough to contain substantial paint.
Painter tape: The tape will be used to create straight lines on the cabinet for design purposes. You can also use tape to protect the walls from getting stained when you run the brush through.
Screwdriver set: You need to remove the doors from the cabinet and you will need a screwdriver set for that. A set comes with different screw heads so you will definitely find a set that will fit the screws.
Paint: You need the most important material of all which is the paint. Two types of paint you can use for the job are oil paints and latex paints. They both have their advantages and disadvantages so do your findings before you settle for any of the two.
Primer: Also called a sealant, this material will seal the paint and prevent it from getting stained afterward. Primers also improve the exterior finish.
Which paint should you buy?
When planning for a kitchen cabinet repaint job, one of the most important decisions you will have to make is the type of paint to use and there are two of them. Below, we review both so you are well informed to make the right choice.
Oil-based paint
Oil-based paints are quite popular because they give cabinets a glossy and smooth finish. They also tend to last very long if you use them well. Overall, oil-based paints make cabinets more attractive. The only downside to them is that they are very expensive and take time to dry up. So should you decide to use oil paint, you need to be very patient with the process as this will be a long process especially if you wish to coat the cabinets twice. Also, note that oil-based paints babe a very strong odor so you have to leave the windows open for sufficient ventilation.
Latex/Water paint
The second option is to use latex paint. This paint dries a lot faster than oil paints and produces fewer fumes. They are also cheaper than oil paints but not as durable. Furthermore, latex can accumulate stains easily and does not last long before it begins to chip.
Verdict: If you have the resources and the time on your hands, we recommend oil-based paints for their durability and attractive finish.
Hire an expert to spray paint kitchen cabinets
If you are looking to save renovation costs on that house you plan to put on the market, you can hire an expert from Toronto Custom Painting to handle your kitchen cabinet painting project. Many house flippers in Toronto have hired our service and they walk away satisfied with our level of professionalism and the quality of our work. Our fees are affordable and you get the quality you pay for. Request a free quote from us by sending us a message.
