How to: Paint Kitchen Cabinets

Breathe new life into kitchen cabinets with paint. Here's the step-by-step directions to paint kitchen cabinets with advice about what tools and materials you need to do the job.

Materials Required
  • Drop cloths
    Masking tape
    Abrasive pads
    Wood filler
    Dust masks
    Sandpaper
    Sanding sponge
    Mineral spirits
    Cheesecloth
    Deglosser
    Mineral spirits
    Furring strips
    Primer
    Paint
    Bonding additive
    Paint conditioner
Tools Required
  • Utility knife
    Screwdriver
    Putty knife
    Finishing sander
    Sanding block
    Shop vacuum
    Brushes
    Brush/roller spinner

How To: Step by Step

Step  1:   Remove what you
can

Remove cabinet doors and drawers from the cabinets, and then remove the hinges and door/drawer knobs or pulls. Bag and label the hardware and take note if certain specialty hinges go with a particular door. Use a drill/driver to make quick work of backing out the screws, or use a hand screwdriver. Remove everything inside the cabinets and drawers and store them in cardboard boxes.

Step  2:   Prepare the work areas

Use painter's masking tape to protect the area surrounding the cabinet frame like the walls and any built-in appliances. Place a window or box fan in a nearby window to exhaust dust and fumes out of the kitchen. If the fan doesn't fill the opening, cut cardboard and tape it over any open areas to make the fan more efficient. Open another window or door, preferably in a room adjacent to the kitchen, to provide an airflow through the room. Protect countertops with large pieces of cardboard or canvas drop cloths. If you are power sanding without a dust-collecting system, cover furnishings nearby with plastic drop cloths and tape 4-mil polyethylene (plastic) sheeting over any interior doorways. Set up a place to sand (unless weather permits outdoor sanding). To support the work for painting cabinet doors, lay drop cloths on the floor then place 1x2 spruce furring strips across sawhorses to support the doors. Set the drawers with fronts facing up on the sawhorses. Wear goggles and, if recommended by the paint manufacturer, a cartridge-style respirator suitable for paint fumes.

Step  3:   Clean the woodwork

Wipe the cabinet doors and drawer front surfaces thoroughly with a rag soaked in mineral spirits or a grease-cutting cleaner to clean them. Work carefully in molded areas to leave no trace of grease. Use an abrasive scrubbing pad if the cabinet is difficult to clean.

Step  4:   Repair any damage

If you plan to replace the knobs or pulls that don't fit in the old holes, fill in the holes with a fast-drying wood filler. Spread the filler with a putty knife. With most types of fillers there is some shrinkage, so you may need to apply two coats. Do this on any damaged areas of the cabinets, as well.

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