How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets
If your old kitchen has tired you, but it's still perfectly functional and you don't want to buy a new one, try repainting the furniture . You will return the kitchen as on the first day at a very small expense.Painting the kitchen cabinets can be a very economical solution to completely renovate our beloved room. Sure, it takes a lot of patience and a few hours of effort, but we can radically change the color of the furniture to get, for example, a more contemporary style.
Also, due to the normal wear and tear that the kitchen undergoes over time, the kitchen furniture may have lost its luster and color; in this way we can restore them to their initial splendor.
If the kitchen furniture is made of wood , the procedure can be more or less the same as when painting other furniture:
- Remove all doors and drawers.
- Clean furniture thoroughly to remove dirt and grease.
- Sand with sandpaper to remove all old paint.
- Remove any paint residue with a damp cloth.
- In order to ensure better adhesion, apply a layer of universal primer .
- Paint with synthetic enamel , which is more resistant to water vapor, common in kitchens. We can also add details with stencils, for example.
- Apply the final protection for furniture that you like best (matte, glossy, satin, ...)
If, on the other hand, you have Formica furniture , the procedure changes slightly. Ant is a material that has a plasticized coating for easy cleaning.
However, the downside of this material is that it makes it more difficult for paint to adhere, but it can still be painted with some precautions. In this way, instead of applying a universal primer, a sealant or primer for non-porous materials is used, applying two coats, sanding between them with fine-grained sandpaper.
In addition, when it is time to sand the furniture, before applying any product, we take care to remove the overlying plasticized layer. In addition, for this specific type of kitchen, a specific enamel for these materials is sold which can be applied directly, without using a sealant.
What do you think about it? Do you want to paint the kitchen furniture?
But if you want to be on the safe side by relying on qualified professionals and, at the same time, saving as much as possible, our advice is to compare the proposals of the best companies in your area. You can thus compare the quotes and choose the companies to contact you, after evaluating their quote.
Painting Kitchen Cabinets: Do It Yourself
A coat of paint on cabinets can transform a kitchen, and it costs a lot less than replacing old wall cabinets. Before you decide to do this, however, you need to check what state they are in. If they're made of warped or rotting plywood, even a good paint job can't hide the flaws. On the other hand, sturdy wooden cabinets can greatly improve with a new coat of paint.
1. Prepare the cabinets
Remove the drawers. Pull all the drawers out of the cabinets and remove the handles and any accessories.
Remove the doors. Unscrew the hinges and take out the doors. Once removed, also detach any accessories attached to the cabinet frame.
This is also a good opportunity to evaluate all the metal parts of your wall units. You should replace any screws, hinges, or handles that seem worn to you.
Wash all surfaces. Use a degreaser and a sponge or soft cloth to remove dirt and stains before painting. Rinse the cabinets with water and let them dry completely.
Trisodium Phosphate, or TSP, is a great industrial-grade cleaner, safe for removing grease and dirt from surfaces. Since TSP can be harmful to the environment, you can also look for a replacement.
Touch up any marks by filling in scratches or dents in the wood with wood pulp or plaster putty. If there are any scratches, flaws or other unsightly marks, you will not have a professional looking result and the job is not complete without a smooth surface. Make sure you let the mixture dry.
Use a putty knife or other flat surface to remove excess grout. It is better to apply more rather than less, as the filler shrinks a little when it dries. If you apply too little the first time, you can always add more later.
At this point, you also decide if you want new handles on the wall units. If the new accessories require holes of different sizes, closer or further away, you will need to fill the existing holes with wood putty and drill new holes before painting.
2. Sanding and priming
Sand the surfaces with sandpaper. Lightly scrub any areas you want to paint with 120 grit sandpaper. This will help the primer and paint adhere better when painting cabinets.
Sanding is especially important for those cabinets that have a glossy polyurethane coating. If you put new paint on a shiny surface, it will flake off.
Put primer on smooth surfaces. The primer is a primer that is applied before the paint. If the latter is applied directly to the wood, it dries too quickly, as the wood is very porous and absorbs the solvent quickly. Because of this, the primer helps the paint adhere and dry more slowly, making the color brighter and smoother looking.
Most experts apply an oil-based primer. This type of primer can also be used if you will be using a latex-based paint. However, you must allow the primer to dry completely and sand the surface again.
If your cabinets are stained and looking worn you may want to consider applying a coat of primer to hide the stains. These types of primers are specifically designed to cover unsightly stains caused by mold, smoke and other irritants.
Wait for the primer to dry, and then sand the surface with 240-grit sandpaper. This makes the surface rough and helps the paint bond with the primer.
3. To paint
Tape the areas you don't want to paint. Place it around the inside edge of drawers or wall cabinets to prevent paint from dripping. Make sure you also put the tape around the edges of the ceiling or walls where the cabinets will rest.
Paint the interior first. Use a thin brush to paint all the small areas of the frame and continue painting the interior with a small roller or brush.
Then paint the doors. Use a large roller to paint doors and cover larger areas at once. Paint the edges of the doors, cabinets and drawers with a small brush. Remember to paint the underside of the doors and drawers as well.
Apply the paint in long, continuous motions to leave the fewest strokes visible. If you primed before, a light coat of paint should adequately cover the surfaces. Remember that you can also apply a second coat of paint.
You can also take the doors outside or to a garage and use spray paint. Wait for one side to dry, then flip the door over and paint on the other side.
Wait for the paint to dry completely throughout. You must wait at least four hours after applying the first layer of paint before applying the second.
Apply a second coat if you can. You don't need more than two coats of paint, especially if you've already primed, but the difference between a coat or two of paint can be surprising: in the first case it's a decent job but in the other it's a professional job. Let the paint dry for a full day.
Install the handles and other accessories when the paint is dry. Reattach all cabinet doors and drawers.
Advice
Most DIYers use 100% latex acrylic paint for their cabinets because it is easier to work with and can be cleaned with water. However, if you are an experienced painter, you can consider using an oil-based paint that is more resistant.Keep any accessories you plan to reinstall in resealable plastic bags when you paint. Use different pouches for drawers and doors to keep them separate.
Renovate Old Kitchen Cabinets With Furniture Paint
The furniture finishes are practical, economical and even fun to give your kitchen a second life giving it a modern touch of color, a hint of vintage flavor or an elegant and classic look. Furniture paints allow you to paint old furniture even in laminate, formica or veneer without having to sand or apply a primer.
Features and benefits of furniture paints:
The paints for furniture allow you to paint kitchen furniture quickly, effectively, creatively and without great effort, adapting to numerous types of surfaces and guaranteeing an optimal yield over time.
They are the ideal solution for renovating worktops, sideboards, appliances and furniture made of various materials such as : Varnished wood, Rough wood, Laminate, Ant, and Veneered.
Furthermore, some types of paint are also suitable for renovating furniture or old appliances in aluminum, stainless steel, plastic and metal. The benefits of using enamel to paint kitchen cabinets are many. This type of paint adheres perfectly to the surface of the furniture, without the need to apply a gripping primer . The application is easy and guarantees a perfect and long lasting seal over time. These enamels also have a high resistance to abrasions, scratches, bumps, frequent washing, grease and food stains .
Some special paints are also able to withstand high temperatures and can also be used on the walls or appliances adjacent to the kitchen hobs. Maintenance is extremely easy and the painted furniture can be safely washed with a neutral detergent.
Solvent and water-based enamels: which one to choose to paint the furniture?
Solvent-based enamels
This type of enamels is composed of alkyd resins and are usually diluted with chemicals or synthetic solvents, such as white spirit. Solvent-based enamels are widely used to carry out external works, this is because they have a high resistance to bad weather and thermal changes. Furthermore, they allow to obtain a pleasant mirror finish, aesthetically very beautiful, and are particularly useful for renovating particularly damaged iron elements without the need to proceed with the drafting of a base or preventive treatments. They are not recommended in domestic and closed environments as they have a very intense solvent odor and release a much higher quantity of organic compounds into the air. Solvent-based enamels, unlike water-based ones,
Water-based enamels
Water-based enamels, unlike solvent-based ones, are diluted with water and not with solvents. Water-based paints spread easily and do not develop aggressive odors during use. Furthermore, the level of emissions of volatile organic compounds into the environment is extremely low. For this reason, water-based paints are recommended for all those painting jobs to be carried out inside homes. Aqueous paints are then indicated for varnishing wooden furniture as they allow the material to "breathe" while ensuring a water-repellent effect. Unlike solvent-based paints, water-based paints have much faster drying times. This type of paint is very resistant and long-lasting and can be easily applied even on smooth surfaces and supports such as plastic, zinc and aluminum. Once the paint job is finished, the rollers and brushes used can be washed simply with water.
How to choose the right color for painting furniture
Renewing the kitchen furniture, and consequently changing its color, is a simple yet effective method to revitalize an opaque and dull environment inside your home.
Did you know that colors can affect your perception of space , the temperature of a room and even your mood? Lively, neutral or dark, choosing the perfect shade for your kitchen is all a matter of shades!
Neutral colors
If you want a sophisticated, elegant but also balanced and relaxing look for your kitchen, then opt for tone-on-tone paints with neutral colors such as dove gray, beige, ecru or timeless white . Precious and refined shades for your furniture, which when combined with objects or elements in bright colors highlight the beauty of your kitchen.
Bright colors
Bright and vivid in warm shades like red, yellow or orange or algid and glacial with cold shades like blue, purple or light blue ? The bright colors can be used alone to create an environment with a strong character, but they can also be mixed or diluted. For a kitchen with a modern and youthful soul, opt for a mix of warm and cold colors ; if, on the other hand, you prefer a more orderly and sober environment, then soften the more lively colors by using inserts in shades of gray and neutral tones.
Dark colors
For a kitchen with a chic and refined taste, choose a dark colored paint. The shades of chocolate, petrol green, anthracite or marsala red will give your furniture a sophisticated look.
How to paint furniture: all the steps for a great job
• furniture paint
• small brush with good quality synthetic bristles.
• small size roller in synthetic material.
• protective sheets
• paper scotch
• sandpaper
• tray
• acetone
• gloves, mask, goggles , basin and a sponge.
Here are step by step instructions to paint your kitchen furniture to perfection and with professional results:
protect surfaces : first protect all surfaces that do not need to be renovated, including tiles if you do not intend to paint them. To do this, use a protective sheet and masking tape.
remove the handles : now remove all the handles from drawers and cupboards with the help of a screwdriver or a simple screwdriver. To be able to open the doors easily, without damaging the paint, make tabs with paper tape.
degreases : to improve the adhesion of the paint on the surfaces, it thoroughly degreases the furniture. To do this, you can use acetone and a sponge. Remember to always wear gloves to protect your hands. If you need to renovate raw wood furniture, you will need to sand it down with sandpaper first.
rinse : after removing grease, stains and dust, rinse thoroughly and dry the surfaces.
paint : mix the paint well so that the components are perfectly blended.
tray : pour the amount of paint you need into the special tray.
moldings : start by painting the less accessible moldings, corners and spots with the brush. Always proceed with complete, slow strokes.
roller : using the roller to paint the flat parts. Don't worry if the paint looks too clear, it will gain thickness with the second coat.
Drawers : To avoid having to remove drawers, arrange them in an offset position. Then proceed by painting the moldings and less accessible points first with the brush, then spread the paint with the roller on the flat areas.
second coat : before moving on to the second coat, let the paint dry perfectly. Wait for the drying times indicated on the package and in any case do not start painting again before at least 6 hours have passed.
handles : when the second coat is also perfectly dry you can reassemble the handles.
Bonus tricks for painting furniture without making a mistake:
to paint your kitchen cabinets perfectly, avoid dipping the brush in the paint. Wet only the tip, in this way applying the nail polish will be much easier and you will get a homogeneous and smooth coverage.
always spread the paint moving in one direction only, either vertically or horizontally. Then remember to always maintain the same pressure during painting, in order to spread the enamel evenly over the entire surface.
Do you want to learn more about the techniques and tricks to perfectly paint the furniture in your kitchen? With this video tutorial on kitchen remodeling you can learn everything you need to know in a flash.
How to Paint the Kitchen Furniture
Time and wear and tear often make the kitchen accessories ruined and unpleasant to the eye, that's why opting for a do-it-yourself renovation: comfortable, inexpensive and imaginative. Painting the kitchen furniture becomes a creative job, where you can concentrate your artistic vein and give the kitchen its own touch.
Let's see together which steps not to forget to paint the kitchen furniture!
1. Painting the kitchen furniture: tools
To start a job done really well it is necessary and essential to have all the tools to start painting the kitchen furniture in a homemade way, but with a professional touch .
Here's what you need and you can't not have:
• base paint
• colored paint (according to your taste)
• brush or roller
• sand paper
For advice on how to design a kitchen and completely renovate it, read the advice of our experts .
2. Painting the kitchen furniture: cleaning
A factor not to be overlooked when we want to paint the kitchen furniture is certainly a thorough cleaning of the wall units. It is therefore necessary to clean thoroughly, removing grease and dirt stains , in order to make the paint to be applied adhere better.
Now it is possible to remove all the wall units that can be extracted, such as drawers and the like, and remove the various tools and objects to have a well-ordered workspace .
3. Painting the kitchen furniture: let's start the work
To start painting kitchen furniture it is important to have sandpaper and proceed to sand and make the surface on which you want to apply the paint uniform. Do not forget to clean the wall units from the dust produced, so as to always have a clean and uniform work surface.
The first step to continue is to apply a coat of base paint . This step is essential to avoid that the paint that will be applied does not damage and has a good adhesion on the raw wood. The next step is to wait at least a day for the paint to dry thoroughly.
4. Painting the kitchen furniture: painting
Now it is necessary to have rollers or brushes in hand and start painting the furniture with the color we have chosen. The best technique is to paint the edges first, without neglecting the possible veins, and then all the remaining space.
Another tip is to paint the kitchen furniture first inside and then outside, without neglecting the bottom of the individual accessories which must also be painted. This step is often the most complex, but for an excellent result it is necessary. If the job is too difficult for you and you want the support of restoration experts, look here !
The last step? Paint doors and drawers taken out of the kitchen, helping us with newsprint on which to place the various furniture. Once all have been painted, the work is now complete.
5. The finished work
Don't forget to let every single piece of your kitchen dry well, this is the only way you won't have any nasty surprises over time. The result? A renewed and new kitchen , in which inspiration and creativity merge into one.
Painting the kitchen furniture is therefore a meeting point for the family, in which to help each other, play with brushes and colors and always try to respect simple rules for a professional and aesthetically appealing result.
