Get Flawless Paint Results by Degreasing Kitchen Cabinets First

Dingy, grease-laden kitchen cabinets got you down? Are you looking to give your kitchen a fresh makeover with a new coat of paint, but worried that no amount of sanding, priming and painting will make the new paint stick or hide what lies underneath? We've all been there. Kitchen cabinets see a lot of action from cooking splatters to accumulated grime. And if not properly addressed prior to painting, all that greasy residue can wreak havoc on your paint job, practically guaranteeing cracks, chips and peels in your newly "refreshed" cabinets.

But don't lose hope! With some strategic prep work, it is possible to cut through the years of kitchen gunk and get your cabinets paint-ready. The secret? Degreasing those cabinets first. Here's everything you need to know to degrease kitchen cabinets the right way before painting for flawless, long-lasting results.

Why Degreasing is Crucial Before Painting Kitchen Cabinets

If you've done any research into painting kitchen cabinets, you've likely heard over and over that proper prep work is key. While techniques like sanding and priming certainly have their place in the process, degreasing is arguably the most critical prep step of all - and the one most commonly overlooked by eager DIYers. But why?

Quite simply, years of oil, grease and grime accumulation on your cabinets will prevent the new paint from properly adhering to the wood surface, causing it to chip, crack and peel, sometimes mere weeks after painting. Even if you sand thoroughly or apply primer first, that greasy residue lying underneath can still work its way through. Degreasing breaks down those thick layers of gunk so that primers and paints can better penetrate and bond to the raw wood.

Prevent Adhesion Issues

When paint can't properly grip the surface below it, you end up with peeling and chipping. Skipping the degreasing step when painting kitchen cabinets almost guarantees these frustrating adhesion issues.

Allow Paints and Primers to Bond

Grease left on the surface acts as a barrier that paints and primers simply can't penetrate well. Proper degreasing removes that barrier so your paint and primer can soak into the grain and bond tightly.

Avoid Paint Imperfections

Aside from visible peeling or cracking, grease residue can also cause subtler imperfections in a paint job, like yellowing, soft spots, and staining. Degreasing helps prevent these issues too.

Make the Paint Last

The better your paint bonds from the start, the longer it will hold up without needing repairs or touch ups. Degreasing sets your kitchen cabinet paint job up for success from the very first coat.

Choosing the Best Degreaser for Kitchen Cabinets

The key to effectively cutting through grease and preparing your cabinets for fresh paint lies in choosing the right degreaser for the job. You have several options here, but keep these tips in mind when selecting your weapon of choice against grime:

Types of Degreasers

On your quest for the perfect degreaser, you'll encounter primarily two main types:

• Solvent-based degreasers that use harsh chemicals like mineral spirits to dissolve oils
• Milder water-based degreasers that still pack an grease-fighting punch without the intense fumes

For kitchen cabinet purposes, water-based degreasers are generally the better choice, as solvents may damage or discolor wood finishes. There are also pH-neutral options that won't damage finishes as harshly.

Cabinet-Specific Formulas

You can certainly use multi-surface degreasers from your local hardware store, but for best results, opt for a degreasing product specifically designed for kitchen cabinets. These contain ingredients tailored to cutting through the specific grime that accumulates on cabinetry over years of cooking and living.

Match Grease Buildup Levels

For cabinets that just need some mild grease-cutting, an orange-oil based degreaser should suffice. But for heavy layers of baked-on grease or decades of frying residue, you'll need to bring in the big guns with a heavy-duty butyl degreaser.

Step-by-Step Guide to Degreasing Cabinets

Once you've selected the right degreaser for your grimy cabinetry, it's time to get down to business. Follow these key steps for maximum grease-removal success:

Read Manufacturer's Instructions

This first step is often overlooked, but be sure to consult your product's label for any specific application, dwell times, precautions when using a degreaser on wood cabinets.

Remove Cabinet Doors/Drawers

Working with full accessible surfaces rather than closed cabinet faces allows for much more thorough degreasing. Remove all doors, drawers and hardware.

Clear Countertops

Protect nearby surfaces from potential drips and spills by covering countertops and appliances with plastic dropcloths.

Apply Degreaser Liberally

Using a brush, sponge or spray bottle as recommended, apply your chosen degreaser liberally to both interior and exterior cabinet surfaces.

Allow it to soak for 5-10 minutes so it can fully penetrate the layers of greasy grime.

Scrub Away Gunk

Use a scrub brush, sponge or plastic scraper to work the degreaser into nooks and crannies, helping dissolve away decades of oil buildup.

Rinse Thoroughly

Wipe all surfaces with clean water several times to completely flush away grease and any degreaser residue that could impede paint adhesion.

Pro Tips and Precautions

Follow these handy pro tips when tackling your greasy cabinet degreasing project:

• Wear gloves and eye protection when handling degreasing chemicals.
• Work in a well-ventilated area and take occasional fresh air breaks.
• Change rinse water buckets frequently to prevent redepositing grease.
• Use plastic scrapers to gently lift particularly stubborn deposits after degreaser has soaked in.

And take care with these important precautions:

• Test degreasers in inconspicuous areas first to check for potential damage to finishes.
• Do not mix different degreaser products, as toxic fumes can result.
• Read all warning labels and follow safety protocols for your chemicals.

After Degreasing - Priming and Painting Prep

Once your cabinets are grease-free, there are still a few more prep steps required before moving onto the fun painting part. This includes:

• Sanding/Filling: Address any cracks, holes and imperfections in the raw wood.
• Light Sanding: Sand glossy areas to help paint grip better.
• Tack Cloth: Wipe down all surfaces with a tack cloth to remove final dust particles before priming.
• Priming: Apply a high-quality primer like Zinsser's BIN Shellac-Base to all cabinet surfaces.

Now the real transformation can begin! With pristinely prepped cabinet surfaces, you can proceed confidently with your topcoat paint knowing that it will bond securely for a flawlessly smooth and durable finish.

Putting in the elbow grease for proper cabinet prep pays off exponentially in your final painted results. And no step is more crucial than degreasing down to the raw, grease-free wood before laying down that first stroke of primer.

While the process takes some effort, patience and care when handling chemicals, the difference between a so-so paint job and showstopping, chip-free kitchen cabinets comes down to this one vital step. So don't cut corners when it comes to degreasing! Invest the time and energy into prepping those cabinets right, and you'll be rewarded with a jaw-dropping painted finish that will last for years to come.