How can I paint my kitchen cabinets like a pro?

Author: Prof. Oran Kautzer  |  Last update: Sunday, June 19, 2022

How To Paint Kitchen Cabinets Like A Pro In 9 Steps
  1. Assess the condition of your kitchen cabinets. ...
  2. Remove and label the doors and drawer faces. ...
  3. Put down drop cloths. ...
  4. Clean the cabinets. ...
  5. Lightly sand your cabinets. ...
  6. Prime your kitchen cabinets. ...
  7. Inspect the primer. ...
  8. Paint your kitchen cabinets like a pro.

What do professionals use to paint kitchen cabinets?

Many professionals now use latex paint, citing the improvements to the formula and the as-good-as finish they can get on most surfaces. We actually prefer a third type of paint for cabinets, the hybrid enamel.

How do you paint cabinet doors like a pro?

Let's get to work!
  1. Step 1: Remove Cabinet Doors & Hardware from Cabinets/Remove Drawers. ...
  2. Step 2: Sand the Cabinet Doors & Drawer Fronts. ...
  3. Step 3: Wipe Down Sanded Surfaces. ...
  4. Step 4: Start Priming! ...
  5. Step 5: Ready to Paint! ...
  6. Step 6: Reattach Cabinet Hardware. ...
  7. Step 7: Reattach Cabinet Doors to Cabinets & Place Drawers.

How do you get the perfect finish on kitchen cabinets?

How To Get A Smooth Finish When Painting Kitchen Cabinets
  1. Do Your Prep Work. ...
  2. Use A Good Primer. ...
  3. Use A Paint Sprayer. ...
  4. Choose Lacquer Paint. ...
  5. Purchase A High-Quality Paintbrush And Foam Roller. ...
  6. Apply With A Brush And Finish With A Roller. ...
  7. Layer Several Thin, Even Coats. ...
  8. Sand Lightly Between Coats.

Is it better to roll or brush paint cabinets?

For wood, brushing is fine, but you may want to hire a professional for a good finish. Using a roller to paint cabinets is a lot faster than brush painting, however, the fabric on the roller will create a 'bobbly' texture on the surface. The texture a roller puts on cabinets makes it unsuitable for gloss paint.

How To Paint Kitchen Cabinets Like a Pro

How do you prevent brush strokes when painting cabinets?

PAINTING CABINETS – when painting kitchen or bathroom cabinets, we suggest that you use a lint free roller to paint the flat surface areas on the cabinets. This helps to reduce any potential for brush strokes.

How do you paint wood cabinets?

Steps for Painting Cabinets
  1. Prep the room. ...
  2. Remove the doors, drawers, and shelves. ...
  3. Clean all the surfaces. ...
  4. Prep the boxes. ...
  5. Prime the cabinet boxes. ...
  6. Sand, caulk, and fill. ...
  7. Paint the cabinet boxes. ...
  8. Prep, prime, and paint the doors, drawers, and shelves.

What is a cabinet Jack?

The Stand-In cabinet jack easily and quickly adjusts level and plumb of a kitchen cabinet with a tap of your foot so you are able to install kitchen cabinets at the precise height.

What is a cabinet screw?

Cabinet screws, which can go by different names like washer-head screws, or button-head screws, are made for the purpose of securing kitchen wall cabinets to the wall. The larger head on a cabinet screw bears down on the cabinet's hanging strip/rail which ensures a sturdy installation.

Is it better to sand or Degloss cabinets?

Deglosser focuses on dulling an old finish. If the older finish is irregular, rough, pitted or scratched, deglosser won't smooth it. Only sandpaper can repair bad surfaces, smoothing them with its abrasive qualities. If your previous finish needs smoothing in any way, sanding is the only way to accomplish it.

Is there a difference between cabinet paint and regular paint?

Is Cabinet Paint Different From Wall Paint? Oil-based paint and latex-based paint differ primarily in the final texture and drying time of kitchen cabinets. Additionally, latex paint with a low or no VOC will have a significantly less offensive odor as it cures, so you won't have to worry about it.

Can you paint cabinets yourself?

Size Up the Job. Wood, wood-laminate and metal cabinets usually can be repainted without difficulty. Plastic laminate cabinets might not accept a topcoat of paint — those that can be refinished often require special paints and techniques, and results can vary.

How much does it cost to professionally paint cabinets?

Professional Kitchen Cabinet Painting Cost

The average cost to paint cabinets is $3 to $10 per square foot or $30 to $60 per linear foot for all materials and professional labor. Painting contractors typically charge $50 to $100 per door, $120 to $170 per cabinet, and $20 to $30 per drawer.

Is it better to spray paint or hand paint kitchen cabinets?

Ideally, spray painting cabinets is the most sought after method today. The quality of finish you get from using a spray gun is second to none, and it's by far a faster and more efficient method.

Do you need to prime cabinets before painting?

While priming never hurts, whether it's necessary or not is determined by the type of paint (oil or latex) currently on your cabinets and the type you plan to use for repainting. If you're changing the type of paint or painting over natural wood cabinets, then it's important to prime the cabinets first.

Do you hang upper or lower cabinets first?

Always install the upper cabinets before the lower cabinets. This way you won't have to awkwardly work over the lower cabinets, risking damaging them in the process. Once you've assembled the cabinets according to the manufacturer's instructions, remove the doors if attached and set them out of harm's way.

At what height do you mount upper kitchen cabinets?

The standard height for upper cabinets from the counter is 18 inches, or 1 foot and 6 inches. They shouldn't be less than 15 inches away or more than 20 inches away. This also means the height to where the bottom of your upper cabinets starts. This gives enough space to put things like toaster ovens and blenders.

What happens if you don't sand cabinets before painting?

If you don't clean before sanding, contaminates (like cooking grease) will be pressed down into the wood. Contaminates will keep the soon be applied paint for sticking. You can remove the doors here in the process or wait until after you wash them down. It is totally up to you and situational dependent.

Can you paint over cabinets without sanding?

Yes, it is possible to paint cabinets without sanding.

What type of paint is best for cabinets?

While oil-based paints make a case for themselves with their reputation for easy application and a long-lasting finish that can be scrubbed and cleaned regularly, latex paint is widely regarded as the best choice for most kitchen cabinets, since it offers lower levels of VOCs and is quicker to dry.

How do I get a smooth finish when painting cabinet doors?

Using a paint sprayer is one of the easiest ways to get a super smooth finish on your cabinets. By their very nature, paint sprayers eliminate brush strokes and roller marks completely. And painting with a paint sprayer is almost always faster than using a paint roller and paint brush.

What paint roller gives the smoothest finish on cabinets?

Foam rollers, which have a firm sponge-like texture, are ideal for painting cabinets because they provide the smoothest finish. They work best with latex or water-based paint because that type of paint is thinner and more easily absorbed by the sponge-like quality of the foam roller.

What is the best paint brush for a smooth finish?

If you are painting a smooth surface with oil-based paint, a natural White Bristle paint brush is your best choice because it is soft and supple. When painting a textured surface, a natural Black Bristle paint brush will work better, because it is stiffer and has superior abrasion wear.

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