Developing handyman skills is not a bad idea especially if you flip houses for a living. Knowing how to paint kitchen cabinets will help you save money on repairs. If you have an old kitchen cabinet with a few years left of service, the best you can do is to have it painted. Fortunately for you, a kitchen repaint can be done if you have the tools and materials for the tasks. Performing this task on your own will help you reduce repair costs and increase your earnings when you eventually make the sale.
In this guide, we want to show you how to spray paint kitchen cabinets. The process is easy and with proper planning and work execution, you can finish the task within a short time. But we must also point out that if you have a large cabinet that is already looking worse for wear, you will spend more time painting it. You may even require special applications that only an expert can administer. In such a scenario, we recommend Toronto Custom Painting to help you out.
But if you insist on going the DIY route, all fair and good. These are the things you need to consider.
Consider the cost
Before you decide to paint your kitchen cabinet, you need to consider the cost. While replacing your old cabinet will cost you thousands of dollars, all it takes is a few hundred dollars for a kitchen cabinet repaint. The materials you will likely need are
- Sand grit paper
- Sanding block
- Paint brush
- Tack cloth
- Steel wool
- Trisodium Phosphate
- Rosin paper
- Plastic tarps
- Semi gloss paint
- Tape
All these materials cost money so you want to find out their cost and prepare your budget. The last thing you want is to start the process and get stuck at some point because you don’t have the cash to buy all that you need. Also, note that the size of your kitchen will determine the number of supplies required.
Evaluate the scale of the job
Another thing you should do is evaluate the scale of the job. If your kitchen cabinet is made of laminated wood you can repaint it with ease but if it is made of plastic, topcoat paint will not stick. Does your cabinet have so many holes that require fillers? Do you need special paints for the task? How large is that cabinet and how many drawers and shelves does it have? These are some of the things to consider before you undertake the exercise.
Choose the ideal paint
Choosing the right paint for your cabinet is very important. Do you go for latex paint or oil paint? This will depend on a few factors. If you have little or no experience with paints you should settle for latex paints since they dry very quickly and are easy to clean with water. However, it can take up to 3 weeks or more for the paint to be fully cured and during this time it may chip if proper care is not taken.
For durability, oil paint is the best option because they give cabinets a smoother finish and hide imperfections that would otherwise be visible to the observable eye. Oil paints are also stain resistant but they are more expensive than latex paint. Bearing both in mind, the choice is yours to pick the one you think will appeal to potential buyers who come to check the house out.
Choose a finish
Another thing that will determine the quality of the finish is the tool you use. Do you use a brush or a spray gun? The one you choose should be up to you. Paint brushes are much easier to use but sprays will give you a smoother finish. However, sprays are a little complicated and more expensive.
If you must use a brush, make sure it is a good one and you will need more than one since you may have to alternate them.
Don’t spray kitchen cabinets in tight spaces
Don’t spray paint cabinets in tight spaces. This way you can get the job done on time. Make sure you empty that cabinet of all the shelves. Take them out alongside other furniture and appliances. You also want to keep the windows open for proper ventilation. The ideal workspace is one with enough leg room as you will be moving around often.
Cover countertops, floors and other items with cardboards or any covering
It is essential that you cover countertops and any vulnerable areas with cardboard or old newspaper to protect them. No matter how careful you are, some sections of your kitchen will be stained and cleaning so many spots will become another frustrating chore. Areas in need of protection besides countertops and floors include
- Doorway
- Doors
- Windows
- Backsplash
- Fixed appliances
If you are spray painting with a spray gun you need to cover more areas than normal because air carries paint vapor to areas you least expect.
Create a workstation
After creating enough work space in the kitchen and covering exposed areas, you need to create a workstation for the job. If your kitchen is big enough, you can create one inside, otherwise, take it outside. You can create a makeshift workstation for the job by using a table. If you don’t have a table, you can merge two 2×4 planks together and nail them to a stand. After the task, you can dismember the workstation or preserve it for future use.
Make sure you remove doors before you paint
When doing your DIY kitchen cabinet painting, never leave the doors intact. Although it will take you a little time to remove the hinges, it is the best course of action. Remember that you want unrestricted access to every corner of the cabinet but with the doors intact, this will be practically impossible.
If you will have a hard time figuring out where each door fits, you can label each one with a tape for clarity. Another thing to remember is to place the hinges and screws into a bag where they can be retrieved when you are done.
Never forget to sand before you paint
One general rule never to forget is to always sand the cabinet surfaces before you paint. The decision to repaint your old cabinet is to make the house more appealing to prospective buyers right? If that is the case, you want the cabinets to be smooth with a perfect finish. This is only possible with proper sanding of the surface. You don’t need to sand the whole cabinet, just the exterior areas since the interiors will likely be smooth.
If you use fillers to cover up openings, make sure you sand the parts you covered after the filler is dried before you paint. Failure to sand will make for a rough and imperfect finish that will put prospects off.
Clean the cabinet with a dry cloth
Always have a dry cloth nearby to clean debris and saw dust before you paint. If you use an anti-grease solution on the doors and shelves, always rinse them with water and leave them to dry before you paint.
Wear protective gear Experts wear protective gear when they are working and you should do the same. You need to wear gloves as well as a nose mask and protective goggles if you are spray painting kitchen cabinets. These gears protect your nose and eyes from the strong odors of the materials. Industrial work materials are known to cause breath shortness.
Use Primer sealers
Not all painting jobs require primer-sealers but we recommend them for kitchen cabinet repainting. Primer sealers make for a well-bonded coat and reduce the amount of effort you will need to put in during sanding.
If you have the tools and time to spray paint kitchen cabinets in the house you are looking to sell, you should imbibe the information in this article to make headway. However, if you are not sure about doing a perfect job, we recommend hiring the experts at Toronto Custom Painting to handle the painting project for you at an affordable fee.