The Beginner's Guide to Prepping Kitchen Cabinets for Paint
Giving your kitchen cabinets a fresh coat of paint is one of the most popular DIY home improvement projects. Painting transforms the look of your kitchen in an instant, without the expense of installing brand new cabinets. But before you start brushing and rolling paint onto those old cabinets, proper prep work is crucial for getting professional-looking results.
From degreasing to sanding, priming, and taping, there are several key steps involved in prepping kitchen cabinets prior to painting. Follow this beginner's guide to learn the process and get your cabinets paint-ready for a flawless finish.
Gather Your Painting Supplies
The first step in prepping your kitchen for a DIY paint makeover is getting all your necessary supplies together. For the paint itself, latex and oil-based enamel paints formulated specifically for cabinets provide a hard, durable finish that can stand up to constant use. Choose between popular sheens like satin, semi-gloss, and high gloss.
In addition to cabinet paint, you'll need an oil-based primer which is essential for proper adhesion and blocking stains. Sandpaper in 120-150 grit will help scuff up cabinet surfaces prior to painting. And an all-purpose degreaser like Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) removes inherent kitchen grime that could ruin paint's adhesion.
Other useful supplies include paintbrushes, mini paint rollers, rags, sponges, drop cloths, and painter's tape. Gather all these essentials before starting your cabinet prep.
Clean Cabinets Thoroughly
Kitchen cabinets attract layers of splattered grease, oil, and cooking residues. These contaminants will prevent paint from properly bonding to the wood. That's why thoroughly degreasing cabinets prior to painting is so important.
An excellent all-purpose degreaser is TSP (Trisodium Phosphate). Mix TSP with water according to the package directions and apply to cabinets with a sponge or rag. Let it sit briefly before scrubbing away grease and grime from all surfaces including the cabinet interiors, fronts, sides, doors, and frames. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
Other handy degreasing options include liquid deglossers, diluted ammonia, or vinegar. Whichever product you use, wear gloves and thoroughly scrub every inch of cabinetry prior to painting.
Troubleshooting Greasy Cabinets
For especially greasy cabinets, a second round of degreasing may be necessary to fully eliminated grime. An abrasive like fine steel wool also helps remove stubborn grease deposits. Wipe the cabinets down with denatured alcohol afterward for a maximally clean surface.
Proper degreasing is a tedious but essential first step that guarantees your kitchen cabinet paint job will last for years to come without peeling or chipping.
Sand Cabinets Lightly
After thoroughly degreasing kitchen cabinets, the next prep step is light sanding. Sanding serves an important purpose - it roughens up the existing cabinet surface and "keys" the primer and paint for optimal adhesion. Light sanding also smooths any existing finish on the wood while removing glossy areas.
For painting cabinets, 120-150 grit sandpaper is ideal for a smooth, fine scuff. Always sand in the direction of the wood grain using even, consistent strokes. Focus sanding on the most glossy areas but avoid over-sanding which can damage the wood. Thoroughly dust cabinets to remove any sanding residue afterward.
Sanding Tips
Hand sanding with a sanding block or power sanding with an orbital sander both work for prep sanding cabinets. Maintain proper sanding technique - apply even pressure across all surfaces and overlapping strokes.
Sand cabinet exteriors like doors and frames along with interior boxes and shelves. For detail sanding in corners and around hardware, opt for sanding sponges instead of paper.
Prime Cabinets
Priming is a very important preparatory step before painting kitchen cabinets. Primer seals raw wood surfaces while providing a uniform, neutral base for the paint topcoats. Primers also even out minor surface irregularities and block existing stains from bleeding through the new paint.
For priming slick kitchen cabinets, an oil-based primer adheres best and prevents the latex paint from peeling or chipping over time. Use a brush or roller to apply primer in thin, even coats according to the manufacturer’s recommended dry times.
Take care to fully coat all surfaces while avoiding drips which can leave unsightly marks. Read the product label for optimal drying times before applying paint.
Prep and Prime Defects
Before priming, fill any holes, gouges and dents in cabinet surfaces with wood filler according to package directions. Once dry, sand repairs smooth. Use a heavy-duty primer specially formulated to block stains and tannins on cabinets with existing water marks or discoloration.
Apply Painter's Tape
One of the last key steps in prep for painting kitchen cabinets is taping off adjacent surfaces. Use high-quality painter’s tape to mask off countertops, floors, and any other areas you want to protect from drips or overspray.
It’s often easier to completely remove cabinet doors and drawers rather than working around them. Tape off all hardware like hinges and handles as well. Press the tape edges firmly to seal them.
Be sure to carefully remove the tape immediately after finishing paint application. Allowing it to dry in place risks pulling up finishes when removed.
Once your cabinets are thoroughly degreased, sanded, primed, and taped, the prep work is complete and they’re ready for painting. Now the exciting transformation can begin!
Follow the product label instructions for optimal application of primer and paint. Allow proper drying time between coats for maximum durability. With primer and paint options specifically designed for kitchen cabinets, you can achieve a flawless, professional-quality finish with this DIY project.
Take your time with the proper prep steps outlined above, and your painted kitchen cabinets will look brand new for years before needing refreshed. For inspiration, search online for stunning before and after photos of DIY cabinet paint makeovers.
With a little time invested upfront in degreasing, sanding, priming and taping, you can paint your outdated oak or laminate cabinets and give your entire kitchen an amazing facelift. Transform the heart of your home with this easy weekend project!