Painting Over Painted Cabinets To Modernize Your Kitchen
Transforming the look of your kitchen by painting over existing cabinetry can be an affordable, satisfying DIY project. With some preparation and effort, a fresh coat of paint allows you to update the style without the cost of full replacement. We'll walk through everything you need to know to refresh your space by painting over previously painted cabinets.
Determine If Your Cabinets Can Be Painted
Not all cabinet materials are suitable for painting. Wood, MDF, and thermofoil cabinets can typically handle paint, while laminate may not adhere properly. Assess the condition as well - excessively worn cabinets with broken joints or water damage should be replaced instead.
Identify Cabinet Materials
Examine cabinet boxes and doors to identify the construction material. Solid wood, plywood, MDF, and thermofoil compositions generally paint well. If you see peeling laminate or remnants of glue from prior laminate, painting likely won't work.
Assess Cabinet Condition
Look at each cabinet door and box carefully. Damage like splitting wood, detached joints, holes, gouges, or prior water exposure indicates replacement may be better than attempting to paint. Touch sticking or misaligned doors and drawers to check function.
Deal with Grease and Grime
Kitchen cabinets endure plenty of use over time. Areas around the stove and countertops collect greasy buildup requiring thorough cleaning prior to painting. Check under and the backside of cabinet fronts for sticky residue or dirt.
Prep Your Kitchen Cabinets For Painting
Proper prep work leads to better paint adhesion and smoother finish results. Allow at least 2 full days for the following essential steps.
Clean Cabinets Thoroughly
Wash cabinet exteriors, including doors, boxes, drawers, and frames, with an ammonia-based degreasing solution or TSP substitute. This removes layers of dirt, oil, and grease so the new paint can adhere.
Sand Cabinet Surfaces
Lightly scuff exterior cabinet surfaces using 150-220 grit sandpaper. This allows paint to grip better. Don't sand completely through the finish. Just focus on providing some tooth for the new paint.
Fill Holes and Imperfections
Examine cabinets closely and use wood filler to patch small holes from old hardware. Seal any scratches, gouges or exposed wood with filler for best results.
Remove Doors and Hardware
Take off cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware like hinges and pulls prior to painting. Number pieces with painters tape to reinstall after painting. Also remove adjustable shelves.
Choose Your Cabinet Paint
The right paint plays a crucial role in achieving an updated, quality look with your kitchen cabinet painting project. Consider sheen, colors, and specialty cabinet paints in your selection.
Consider Paint Types
- Oil-based paints provide excellent adhesion and a durable finish. However, clean-up requires solvents, and they have more odor.
- Latex paints clean up easily with water. They dry faster but don't adhere quite as tightly.
- Enamel paints designed specifically for cabinets provide maximum toughness and durability.
Determine Paint Finish
Choose eggshell or semi-gloss sheens for cabinet paint. The subtle gloss provides wipeable finishes. Matte paint adheres well but shows marks easily. Glossy paint makes surface imperfections like dents obvious.
Calculate Amount of Paint Needed
Measure cabinet dimensions to determine the square footage. Multiply by 1.2 to allow 2 coats and overage. For example, 50 square feet of cabinets x 1.2 = you'll need approximately 60 square feet of paint.
Prepare Your Kitchen For Painting
Protecting kitchen surfaces not intended for new paint prevents making more work for yourself. Allow 1 day for prep.
Cover Floors, Countertops and Backsplashes
Lay down drop cloths to shield floors, using painters tape to secure edges. Completely cover countertops and backsplash areas with plastic sheeting.
Tape Off Edges
Use painters tape along cabinets, walls, ceilings, windows and trimwork edges. Prevent paint bleeding with careful taping.
Ventilate the Kitchen
Ensure good airflow by opening windows even if using low-odor paint. Run ceiling fans to encourage paint fumes to exit faster too.
Apply Primer
Priming ensures paint bonds tightly to cabinet surfaces. Allow at least 5-6 hours for careful priming once cabinets are fully prepped and protected.
Brush On Evenly
Use a high-quality primer designed for wood furniture and cabinetry. Carefully brush primer onto all exterior cabinet surfaces using a 2-3 inch angled paintbrush. Work methodically to coat all edges and recessed areas.
Allow Proper Dry Time
Give primer a full 24 hours drying time before painting. Cool temperatures or high humidity can extend dry times. Test readiness by touching - primer should feel smooth and dry.
Paint Cabinets
With primer fully cured, you're ready for painting. Allow several days for careful application of two finish coats.
Follow Paint Manufacturer Directions
Closely follow recommendations from the paint company, including dry times between coats, preferred applicators, and any special instructions.
Use Smooth Strokes
Gently brush or roll paint onto cabinets. Work top to bottom, smoothing it across surfaces. Avoid excessive brushing in any one area to prevent drips or uneven layers.
Allow Paint to Dry Between Coats
Give the first coat ample drying time before adding another, usually 24 hours. Cooler temperatures may require longer dry times. Lightly sand glossy areas between coats for better adhesion.
Reinstall Doors and Hardware
With painted cabinets fully cured, place doors and hardware back onto cabinet frames. Attach pieces carefully to avoid damage.
Ensure Paint is Fully Cured
Test paint hardness by gently pressing a fingernail into an inconspicuous area - properly cured paint shouldn't dent or leave a mark. Wait at least 3 days after final coat to reattach items.
Reattach Hinges and Pulls
Refer to numbering system to correctly reinstall doors, handles, and hinges onto corresponding boxes and frames. Be gentle securing hardware to avoid scraping paint.
Clean Up After Painting
With fresh paint applied, the final step is removing protective materials and cleaning up the workspace.
Wipe Spills Right Away
Quickly wipe drips or spills on floors or countertops to minimize staining. Avoid abrasives.
Wash Brushes Thoroughly
Clean paintbrushes, rollers and other tools thoroughly to reuse. Allow mineral spirits for oil-based paints or water for latex/acrylic paints to remove residue.
Remove Floor and Counter Protection
Carefully take off all plastic sheeting, masking tape and drop cloths. Check for stray paint drips or spills beneath protected layers.
Cure and Care For Newly Painted Cabinets
Allow sufficient curing time for the paint to fully set before regular kitchen use resumes.
Allow Several Days to Fully Cure
Most cabinet paints take 14-30 days to completely harden and cure. Avoid opening/closing doors frequently right away.
Clean Gently While Curing
Use soft cloths dampened with water to gently wipe painted cabinet exteriors if needed during the curing period. Don't rub forcefully or use cleaners yet.
Avoid Rubbing or Abrasion at First
Carefully open/close doors and drawers for the first 2 weeks. New paint is softer and more prone to chipping/scratching until fully cured.
Troubleshoot Common Paint Issues
Despite careful surface prep and paint application methods, minor problems can still pop up. Touch up imperfections right away.
Fix Chipping or Scratching
Lightly sand any damaged paint edges. Wipe away dust and reapply paint using thin coats. Allow to dry completely between layers.
Touch Up Paint Imperfections
Fix paint drips or uneven coverage as soon as possible. Wait until the paint area is completely dry first. Then carefully smooth or fill as needed.
Repair Any Paint Drips or Sags
Let dripped paint areas dry first before gently sanding to smooth them flush with surrounding surfaces. Vacuum dust then touch up with matching paint.
Painting over your existing kitchen cabinets allows big style changes without the price tag or hassle of full replacement. Follow vital preparation steps like thorough cleaning/sanding, applying suitable primer and using quality paint designed for high-traffic cabinet areas. Pay attention to details as you brush or roll on paint. Quickly fix any problem spots with light sanding and touch-ups. Gradually resume regular kitchen use as the paint cures completely. In a couple weeks, enjoy your fresh, updated look!