Step-By-Step Guide To Painting Brown Kitchen Cabinets White

If your kitchen is feeling dull and dated, painting the cabinets can make a huge difference without a full renovation. Transforming brown cabinets by painting them white will brighten up the whole room and give it a fresh, updated look. With some time and effort, you can paint your brown kitchen cabinets yourself using high quality supplies. Follow this comprehensive guide to turn your outdated brown cabinets into a crisp, white dream kitchen.

Painting cabinets white is a budget-friendly remodel that can modernize the heart of your home. When done properly using these tips, your dated brown cabinets will look like brand new custom white cabinets. Let's get started!

Step 1: Prep the Cabinets

Before painting, thoroughly clean all cabinet surfaces inside and out using a degreaser or TSP substitute to remove any existing grease and grime. This allows the paint to properly adhere. Give the cabinets a light sanding using 220 grit sandpaper to scuff up the surface so the paint can grip. Fill any holes, scratches or imperfections with wood filler and let dry completely. Finally, remove all doors and hardware, setting screws aside in a labeled bag.

Clean and Sand Doors

The doors will be painted separately from the cabinet boxes. Give them a thorough cleaning with a degreaser as well. Lightly sand to prepare the surface. Address any areas on the doors needing wood filler, let dry and sand again.

Step 2: Prime the Cabinets

Priming is extremely important before painting cabinets white. Primer creates a uniform surface for the paint to adhere to, preventing imperfections from showing through. It also blocks stains and seals the wood. Use a high-quality primer specifically made for painting cabinets and apply two coats according to manufacturer directions, allowing proper dry time between coats.

Use a Stain-Blocking Primer

For best results, opt for a primer formulated to block stains and tannins in wood. The white pigmentation in stain-blocking primer helps prevent yellow tones of the wood from causing discoloration under the topcoat of white paint.

Step 3: Paint the Cabinets

With the cabinet boxes and doors thoroughly prepped and primed, now the fun part begins - painting them white! There are a few specialty cabinet paints on the market that deliver a smooth, durable finish. Choose a high quality alkyd paint for a shiny classic white finish or acrylic paint for a smooth semi-gloss finish.

Apply Multiple Thin Coats of Paint

No matter what type of paint you use, apply multiple thin, even coats rather than trying to fully cover in one thick coat. Thin coats create a more seamless, streak-free finish. Between each coat, lightly sand any drips or rough spots using 220 grit sandpaper so the next coat goes on smooth. Allow at least 24 hours drying time before adding an additional coat.

On average, three to four coats of paint are needed to achieve full, even coverage for a flawless white finish. Take your time and don't rush the coats. Patiently allowing proper drying between coats leads to better results.

Step 4: Reinstall Doors and Hardware

Once the cabinet boxes and doors have been painted white and have dried fully, it's time to put everything back together! First, take care reattaching the doors. Install hinges and test thoroughly to ensure proper alignment and smooth motion.

If needed, use shims to adjust the cabinet doors to maintain even gaps before tightly screwing hinges into place. Reinstall all handles and hardware using care not to scratch the fresh paint.

Check Drawers for Proper Fit

For cabinets with drawers, check sliding function to make sure movement is smooth without scraping or rubbing. The white paint may cause a tighter fit. Use fine grit sandpaper to gently smooth any points of friction.

Step 5: Seal and Protect the Finish

For added durability and stain resistance, apply two coats of a clear polyurethane sealer to the painted cabinets. This protects your efforts from potential splatters, grease or moisture damage over time. Use a soft cloth to apply the sealer carefully according to directions.

To avoid too glossy of a look, consider using a matte or satin finish sealer. The slightly duller finish allows the beautiful brushstrokes of the white paint to show through while providing hard-wearing protection.

That concludes the process for upgrading your kitchen by repainting brown cabinets white! As you enjoy your brighter, updated kitchen, just clean using a soft microfiber cloth with mild soap and water as needed. Avoid abrasive cleaners. With the sealing treatment, the cabinets simply need light maintenance to look like new for years.

Transforming the old brown cabinets with fresh white paint provides an instant facelift for your kitchen. Not only is painting cabinets an easy, budget-makeover, you can feel great knowing you did it yourself in a weekend. Just follow these steps and soon you'll have a light, bright kitchen bursting with a modern, coastal vibe.