Homeowners seeking to refinish kitchen cabinets have a number of options to consider in creating a new or updated appearance. For many, kitchen cabinet painting is the way to go. It can be less expensive than some of the other choices that exist and it’s a job you can even do yourself.
But before you get those brushes and rollers out, there are some things you need to know. This isn’t a task you go into without having all of the knowledge as to how you should proceed first. Otherwise you could be doing more harm than good and when it comes to any sort of home remodeling project, you want to spend as little as possible while ensuring the best possible results.
So for those of you considering cabinet refinishing in San Marcos but want to keep those costs low, here are the steps you should take to go about it the right way.
Detach Doors and Drawers
Before you start to repaint your kitchen cabinets you need to take them down and detach all of the hardware from each piece. That means knobs, handles, latches, and anything else that might get in the way of laying down a smooth coat along the surface.
Be sure to carefully catalog which parts go to which door and/or drawer so reattaching it all is a cinch after you’re finished. Drawers in particular may need some extra attention if you plan on painting the entire unit. Unscrew the slides to give the whole drawer a brand new color.
Carefully store all of your hardware for safekeeping so you don’t lose any critical pieces.
Thorough Cleaning
No paint job should begin until you’ve cleaned the surfaces of your cabinetry with your chosen cleaning agent. Dirt, grime, and grease are the natural enemy to paint, before and after application. Having these things caked on your cabinets can dull their luster and if they’ve accumulated on your cabinet surfaces over time it will be almost impossible to lay down an even coat.
So prep your preferred cleaning agent and sponge it along each side of the cabinet or drawer before wiping it clean of any excess moisture or stuck-on gunk. It is imperative that you do not skip this step as it will mean the difference between a paint job that looks good and one that doesn’t.
Diagnose and Fix the Damage
This is about refinishing your cabinets so they look brand new. That means you’re going to want to fix any visible damage along the surfaces.
Holes, dents, gouges, should all be filled in thoroughly. Even if you expect to use new hardware to replace the old items that may be damaged or tarnished, be sure to fill in the old hardware holes so they’re not visible to the naked eye.
Prep the Cabinet Surfaces
Once you’ve repaired any damage to your cabinet surfaces, you must then prepare them for the next major steps of the process.
Start with some sandpaper to smooth down the surfaces. In some cases, it may require sanding only the exterior surface of the cabinet before you paint. The interiors of the cabinets may not be necessary, but only you will know based on the condition of the surfaces. The old paint may also need to be removed so take a good look at the paint on your cabinetry and then you can decide on how much needs to be done.
When you sand the surfaces, be sure get to the bare wood and blend the edges where the old paint ends and the new paint will be applied. From there, completely clean away the sanding dust that has been left behind from all of your sanding.
Just be sure you’ve eliminated all dust and other particles from the cabinet surface before you start to apply any primer or paint.
Lay Down the Primer
Get a good thick brush and apply a coat of primer to every inch of the surface you plan to paint. Make sure you the type you choose has a sealant as well. This will help your paint adhere to the surface and leave you with nothing but a glossy and sturdy finish.
Paint the Cabinet
Here is where the main event happens. Start at the edges and face frames openings, then the sides of the outer cabinets, followed by the fronts of the face frames. Apply your paint in long strokes with thin subsequent coats. Be sparing with the strokes and do so carefully so there are no bubbles or pits in the paint surface.
