How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets | THE RIGHT WAY

How to paint kitchen cabinets THE RIGHT WAY:

There are often many short cuts advertised for painting and upgrading your kitchen cabinets, but for the best quality, optimal finish and lasting look, you do not want to skip any steps with this type of project!  In my opinion, it is 100% worth it to spend $60 on a paint sprayer and an extra $30 on high quality paint.  Spending a little more time for prep & sanding will create paint that won’t chip, that has a factory looking finish, and you will get an amazing transformation that will outlast your kitchen!

For step by step videos: Visit my Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/updatingtoprettythings/ and watch saved highlight “Painting Cabinets”

What you’ll need:

• 120-220 grit sandpaper

• (Preferably an orbital sander, but not necessary)

• Tack cloths

• Bonding primer/Primer for hard to stick surfaces (either in a can or a spray can-spray can will be easier)

  • I recommended Zinsser Bull’s Eye 123 primer for a product in a spray can

• High quality trim enamel paint (color of choice)

  • I recommend Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel (more expensive but in the long long it will definitely pay off!)

• Paint sprayer-Not necessary, but recommended

• Brush and foam roller if you are not spraying primer & paint

• Foam brush for touch up

Steps:

1. Remove all kitchen cabinets and hardware

-Mark each door/drawer and hinge for easy reassemble (I marked my hinges with a sharpie on the back where it would be covered, and mark my doors in the circle where the hinge will cover)

1. Clean all surfaces (doors/drawers and remaining cabinets in the kitchen) 

-I used TSP cleaner from the paint section, but any degreaser or cleaner will work

Prepping Doors & Drawers:

1. Using an orbital sander (or hand sanding if you don’t have one) sand all flat surfaces and crevices with 120 grit sandpaper

-No need to sand all the way to the wood, just sand enough to get the topcoat glaze off the cabinets

1. (Optional) For a smoother surface, use 220 grit sandpaper and lightly sand all surfaces

2. Clean up: Vacuum all dust and use a tack cloth to clean surfaces 

3. Priming:  Lay doors/drawers on wood props/surfaces where you will paint (I recommend starting with the backs-you will make more mistakes early on)

4. Wipe surface with a tack cloth right before applying primer

   1. Spray in even strokes (if using spray primer) or cut in edges/crevices with a brush and then use a foam roller for the flat surfaces

5. Follow all the directions on the primer can for best results & for dry time.

   1. You always want to test a piece before flipping it over, if it still feels sticky to the touch, it is not dry enough (I recommend a day for dry time)

6. Once completely dry, flip doors/drawers to the front surface and prime. 

Painting:

1. Once front/backs are primed and completely dry, LIGHTLY sand all flat surface with 220 grit sandpaper

-Priming raises the grain and can leave a surface very rough (more rough than before priming), lightly sanding between coats will lead to a smoother finish 

1. Using your paint sprayer (or brush and roller) begin painting back surfaces of the cabinets and drawers

Paint sprayer tips:

• Thin paint to viscosity recommended in directions for your paint sprayer

• ALWAYS test on a scrap piece before painting cabinets

• Get comfortable with changing the spray tip for directions of spray (vertical spray tip is usually for spraying in a horizontal pattern, horizontal spray tip is usually for spraying in a vertical pattern)

• Practice with the dial that increases/decreases paint volume being sprayed (too much volume will create runs on the vertical edges)

• Keep same distance for the entire spray, start spraying before reaching the surface and stop after passing the top of your surface (keep wrist still and do not move sprayer at and diagonals)

• Keep a foam brush on hand and look for any drips on the edges (vertical surfaces)

• *For more details, visit my Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/updatingtoprettythings/ and watch the saved highlight “PAINT SPRAYER”

1. Let paint on that surface dry completely (once again read directions for the paint you are using)

2. LIGHTLY sand with 220 grit (or 320 grit) sandpaper (between coats)

3. Vacuum surface and wipe clean with a tack cloth right before applying the second coat

4. Apply second coat of paint to the backs of the doors/drawers 

   1. I recommend letting 12-24 hours past before flipping the doors/drawer and painting the fronts

5. Once paint is completely dry, perform the same steps on the fronts of the cabinets

   1. If you skipped sanding the primer and sanding between coats on the backs, I highly recommend sanding the fronts-most visible piece in your kitchen

   2. If you only sand one thing, sand the PRIMER on the front of your doors/drawers!

6. I recommend two coats of paint for the front and back (touch coat up as needed)

   1. Read paint directions for how long they recommend letting the paint sit and cure before reassembly

Painting cabinets in kitchen:

Prep:

1. Prepare similar to how you prepare the doors/drawers

-Clean all surfaces

-Using an orbital sander or hand sanding-sand all surfaces to get rough up the topcoat (I actually skipped this on the trim at the top of my cabinets, nothing will ever touch this area so I was not worried about paint adhesion)

1. Prime: Using a brush and foam roller, prime all surfaces (except inside your cabinets-I just primed & painted up to the lip right inside the doors)

-I recommended cutting in first with a brush then going over all flat surfaces with a foam roller

1. Once dry, lightly sand all primed surfaces with 220+ grit sandpaper

2. Vacuum & clean with a tack cloth before applying paint

3. Use the same method-brush & foam roller to paint all surfaces

-I recommend 2 coats, + touch up if needed

-Allow proper dry time between each coat

Reassembly:

• Allow proper cure time (read instructions on paint can) prior to assembly

• Reassemble doors/drawer & add new hardware if desired!

If you share a picture of your finished cabinets on Instagram, please tag me @updatingtoprettythings (I would LOVE to see your newly painting cabinets!)

For more details & step by step videos: Visit my Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/updatingtoprettythings/ and watch saved highlight “Painting Cabinets”

*If you have any questions, feel free to DM me on Instagram, Good luck & happy painting!