How To Paint Kitchen Cupboards: Step-By-Step, With Video!

Provides Wanted To Paint Cupboards

The supplies you’ll want to color your kitchen cupboards aren’t a lot completely different from different portray tasks. So you might have many of those provides already available.

You may use a paint sprayer for this undertaking, however we don’t really feel it’s crucial. For those who already personal a paint sprayer and are comfy utilizing it, go for it. It will probably save time. However we’ve by no means regretted portray by hand as an alternative.

What paint ought to I take advantage of to color my cupboards?

Water-based, latex paints formulated for cupboards or trim are finest for portray kitchen cupboards. Oil-based paints was really helpful, however will not be crucial or sensible for a DIYer. They’re smelly, troublesome to wash up, and may yellow over time. Additionally, water-based paints have come a good distance and supply a equally clean and sturdy end. Our favourite cupboard paints are Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel and Benjamin Moore Advance. For those who want a unique model, seek the advice of the paint desk knowledgeable for the very best components to your job. Purchase the best high quality paint your funds permits.

Step 1: Take away cupboard doorways & {hardware}

Rigorously unscrew all cupboard doorways from the frames utilizing an electrical driver. Take away present hinges, knobs, pulls, or different {hardware}. In case you are reusing this {hardware}, you should definitely acquire it in a bag or field for later. You might also wish to label every door with painter’s tape (I.e. “decrease left range cupboard”) to assist keep away from confusion throughout reassambly.

Additionally, you will want to slip out any drawers from the frames. If attainable, unscrew the drawer entrance from the field. You might also have to empty some drawers and cupboards. We don’t usually paint the within of the cupboards, so most issues can keep in place whilst you work. However take care to cowl or briefly transfer gadgets whilst you sand, to maintain them from getting dusty.

Step 2: Patch cracks and holes (optionally available)

You possibly can skip this step in case your cupboards are in good situation and also you’re reusing the present {hardware} placement. For our cupboards, nonetheless, we deliberate to swap the present single-hole knobs for two-hole pulls. The present gap was within the flawed place, so we used wooden filler to patch the entire present {hardware} holes earlier than continuing. We had been additionally modifications the hinges, so we patches the holes for these too on each the doorways and frames.

To use the wooden filler, use a putty knife to push it into the opening and clean it. As soon as dried, sand off the surplus. Chances are you’ll have to do a second coat, since it could shrink barely because it dries.

Step 3: Calmly sand all surfaces

Prepping your wooden cupboards for paint is the MOST IMPORTANT step if you’d like a long-lasting, sturdy consequence. Skipping the subsequent few steps places your paint job vulnerable to scratching or rubbing off, particularly in high-traffic areas. So whereas this half might be probably the most labor-intensive, please don’t shortchange it! We even have extra element in a devoted publish about prepping cupboards for paint. Right here is an summary:

Use an electrical sander and medium-grit sandpaper (like 120) to calmly sand each floor you can be portray. This implies doorways, drawer fronts, faces of cupboards, sides of cupboards, and so forth. You do NOT have to take away the entire present end. The objective is NOT to get it again to uncooked wooden (though that it’s okay). The objective is solely to tough up the floor sufficient to assist primer and paint bond to it. Chances are you’ll want handy sand small corners and nooks.

This course of will likely be dusty, so attempt to do it outdoors or in a well-ventilated house (we did most of ours in our sunroom, above). When it comes time to sand the frames in place, cowl gadgets in your kitchen as wanted to maintain sanding mud from getting all over the place. After you’re finished sanding, wipe your cupboards clear utilizing a tack material.

Step 4: Apply a Liquid Deglosser

Liquid deglosser (typically known as “liquid sandpaper”) helps etch the floor of your cupboards & frames, serving to guarantee a robust bond with the paint. Krud Kutter Gloss Off is our most popular deglosser. The one pictured under is troublesome to seek out.

Some folks use a liquid deglosser instead of sanding, however for wooden cupboards we suggest doing each to be secure. It additionally helps take away any built-up grease or oil residue you might have missed whereas sanding, particularly in nooks and crannies. You might also have heard of utilizing a chemical known as TSP (trisodium phosphate) as an alternative. Nevertheless, TSP is extra of a cleaner than a deglosser, so we don’t suggest it.

You possibly can apply it with a rag or paper towel or put it in a sprig bottle. It doesn’t must be rinsed or wiped off. Simply give it a couple of minutes to soak in. We typically do two purposes to be secure.

Step 5: Prime One Coat

The final prep step earlier than portray is priming! Primer is a crucial factor to good protection and a long-lasting end. Don’t skip it! We like a Zinsser all-surface primer. It may be used off-the-shelf if you’re portray your cupboards white or one other mild coloration. For darker or extra saturated paints, contemplate having your primer tinted to match.

As you possibly can see above, you’re not going for excellent protection. Primer will likely be splotchy because it dries. That is okay. The principle objective is to get a skinny, clean, and even coat. To do that, we suggest (1) utilizing an angled paintbrush to get into edges or corners, then (2) utilizing a small foam curler to take away brush strokes and coat the massive, flat surfaces. Go sluggish and look ahead to drips alongside edges!

We advise propping your doorways off the bottom with painter stands to make priming and portray simpler. And for those who’re portray each side of your doorways (which we expect it’s best to!) we’ve developed a selected order that helps decrease marks or dings in your freshly painted doorways. It requires a little bit of endurance as you watch for one aspect to completely dry earlier than flipping it over to do the opposite.

Don’t neglect to do your cupboard frames and packing containers too! Chances are you’ll wish to use painter’s tape and drop cloths to guard partitions, flooring, home equipment, and counter tops.

Step 5: Paint Two Coats

As soon as your primer coat has absolutely dried and cured (see the producer’s directions on the can for particular occasions), it’s possible you’ll repeat this course of together with your chosen paint. We used the colour Benjamin Moore Cloud Cowl. Once more, use a mix of a brush and foam rollers to get a clean end. The paint could look barely textured from the froth curler, however it should even out because it dries. Simply keep in mind: your important objective is skinny & even coats with out drips!

As a rule of thumb, we do two coats of paint for any portray undertaking. However it’s particularly vital with portray cupboards. Extra skinny layers is stronger and fewer liable to scratches than one thick layer. Simply you should definitely permit sufficient dry time between coats earlier than touching or recoating.

This half needs to be tremendous satisfying. You’re lastly seeing your laborious work repay and your imaginative and prescient come to life!

Step 7: Rehang cupboard doorways

As soon as every little thing has absolutely dried, you possibly can reassemble your kitchen. Screw hinges again on. Slide drawers again in place. You possibly can even put issues again in your cupboards.

Issues would possibly get banged round on this course of, so we frequently like to offer our paint an additional day to treatment earlier than starting. You’d hate to scuff up or scratch off the recent paint straight away!

Step 8: Reinstall cupboard {hardware}

On the identical time, you possibly can all reattached your cupboard knobs or pulls. Nevertheless, this will likely be a bit extra contain for those who – like us – crammed the entire outdated holes and have to make new ones.

We now have a complete publish – with video! – devoted to how you can set up cupboard {hardware} that may enable you to do that with precision and velocity. However as you possibly can see above, we extremely suggest buying a {hardware} template for this step.

How lengthy does it take to color kitchen cupboards?

Portray these kitchen cupboards took us 15 days to finish. A variety of that point, nonetheless, was ready for issues to dry and treatment. They weren’t 15 days of straight work! So whereas this isn’t a undertaking it’s best to anticipate to knock out in a weekend, it’s additionally not one thing you want to take 2 weeks off of labor to finish. It will probably simply be finished on nights and weekends, like we did. We even had a toddler on the time!

How a lot does portray cupboards price?

Portray kitchen cupboards your self could be very inexpensive, particularly in comparison with the choice of hiring it out OR changing your cupboards solely. We accomplished this undertaking in 2012 for simply $300 and half was for brand new hinges and pulls. So if you’re reusing your {hardware}, you possibly can anticipate to spend even much less. Here’s a tough estimate of what you would possibly spend to color kitchen cupboards.

• Sandpaper: $10
• Liquid deglosser: $10
• Primer, 1 gallon: $30
• Paint, 1 gallon: $80 – $120
• Paint provides (curler, brush, trays, and so forth): $40 – $60
• TOTAL COST: $170 – $230

For those who don’t already personal an electrical sander or drill, these could price you about $50 every. You possibly can full these duties by hand to maintain your funds down, however it should considerably improve your effort and time.

Different Cupboard Portray FAQs

Listed below are another often requested questions on portray kitchen cupboards:

Do I want to use a sealer or topcoat?

No, you do not want to use a sealer, varnish, or polyurethane to your painted cupboards. Paints, particularly these formulated for cupboards or trim, don’t require a protecting topcoat. The truth is, making use of one might trigger your coloration to yellow.

What end paint ought to I take advantage of on cupboards?

We suggest utilizing a satin or semi-gloss paint for a tough, wipeable end on cupboards. Gloss or high-gloss paint can supply a smooth, trendy look with excessive shine, however needs to be utilized professionally with a paint sprayer to keep away from brush or curler strokes. Matte, flat, or eggshell finishes will likely be more durable to wipe clear.

What coloration ought to I paint my cupboards?

There is no such thing as a restrict to the colours you possibly can paint kitchen cupboards! We love basic white cupboards, however colourful cupboards have additionally been trending recently – like our present cupboards (Artsy Pink by Sherwin-Williams) or our buddies’ painted cupboards under (Halcyon Inexperienced by Sherwin-Williams).

We all the time suggest testing any coloration earlier than continuing. Colours typically seem brighter or extra saturated than they appear on a small swatch. Whites can also seem stark or chilly, so we suggest one thing with delicate yellow or grey. Any of those knowledgeable’s favourite white paints work effectively on cupboards.