Tricks to Use for Painting Older Cabinets

One of the smartest and simplest moves that you can make when it comes to giving your kitchen new life is repainting your old cabinets. Not only is it a more environmentally sound decision than purchasing brand-new ones, but it’s far easier on your wallet. And you might even end up enjoying the process.

This article features some tricks that you can keep in mind while preparing and repainting your old cabinets.

It’s Always Wise to Think Ahead

It is of the utmost importance to properly prepare your cabinets before tackling the actual pruning and painting part of this undertaking. Prep can be the most time-consuming part, if you really think about it. Preparation can also make or break the quality of your finished product.

The first step is creating a space and surface area for laying out all the cabinet drawers, doors, and shelves. Make sure to protect the space by putting tarps or towels on the floor and surface. You should also cover the parts of the wall near the cabinets and the floor around them.

Next, you can remove all the cabinet drawers, doors, and shelves, categorizing the hardware according to which piece it came from. Afterward, thoroughly scrub all the cabinet pieces, ridding them of any and all grime. If you have any blemishes or dents in your cabinets, you can use some wood filler to smooth these over.

Let the Dust Fly

Here is where things start to get a little messy. Start off by lightly sanding away the gloss finish on your cabinets with 100-grit sandpaper. Then wipe and vacuum out your cabinets and drawers well before using a roller and paint brush or sprayer to prime your cabinets with one side drying completely before priming the other side.

After they are dry, sand your cabinet pieces again with 220-grit sandpaper this time and repeat the cleaning process, vacuuming and wiping out any remaining debris with a damp cloth.

Now, it’s time to really paint.

Let the Paint Drip

Do some research about different paint options before settling on a type and color. Some people prefer latex-based paints while others like oil-based paints more. It all depends on what qualities are most important to you.

After you do have this figured out, you can begin. Apply your paint carefully, using a roller and brush or a sprayer, as with the primer. After it dries totally, sand the cabinet pieces one last time with the 220-grit sandpaper, and do a final cleaning before applying the second coat of paint. Remember to let each side dry for one or two days before flipping the piece to paint the opposite side.

Putting it All Back Together Again

After all the drawers, doors, and shelves are dry and look to your liking, you can reinstall everything. It took time, patience, and dedication, but the feel of your newly painted cabinets should reinforce your decision to avoid buying brand-new cabinets.