Home Improvement Can Be Expensive
Home improvement experts recommend using acrylic latex paint because it is durable and washable. Remember cabinets take a lot of spills, so you want something that will clean up easy. To apply the paint, you may want to rent spray equipment in order to do the job quickly. Most home improvement specialists stores rent spray equipment and will show you how to use it. Be sure you use it correctly and cover up all surfaces you don’t want painted. Accidents happen and you don’t want your valuables painted inadvertently. Also cover up your clothes, glasses and hair.
You may be able to do more careful work by applying paint with a brush. (Rollers are a poor choice as they will leave roller and stipple marks). Ask store personnel when you buy your paint to recommend the best brush as some paints work better with natural bristles and others with synthetic.
In any case, be sure to use masking tape to protect edges surrounding your cabinets. Remove all doors and hardware. Mark the bottom of your doors so you can reinstall them easily.
Use sandpaper or a belt sander to sand the cabinets so that the paint will stick better. If needed, use mineral spirits to get rid of the residue. Apply putty to any nicks and scratches and apply an acrylic-based primer so the cabinet surfaces will accept the paint.
Most cabinet painting jobs require two coats of paint. Some people are extra creative and paint a mural on their cabinets. Don’t try it though, unless you are confident in your artistic abilities and have a design you know you can live with for many years. Consider using a sawhorse to paint the cabinet doors. Using a sawhorse will let you paint the doors on a horizontal surface so there won’t be drips.
Let each coat of paint dry thoroughly before applying the next coat. When the cabinets are fully dry, you can reinstall them. You may want to use new hardware when reinstalling the doors and hinges, an easy way to extend the upgrade of your kitchen décor. Just make sure new hardware matches the configuration of the old ones.
When your paint job is done, sit back and admire your kitchen’s new look. What an easy way to add value and beauty to your home.