Does your kitchen look like it discoed its way out of the ’70s, but you don’t have the resources to rip up that vinyl flooring? If you’re a DIYer, you may be asking yourself, “Can I paint kitchen cabinets?” Yes, you can! And, here’s a painting plus: It’s an easy and cost-effective solution to your retro remodel. Here’s what to know before you paint your kitchen cabinets:
How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets: DIY Style!
1. Pick the Right Paint
Though it’s easy to paint your cabinets, color choice can be a challenge. You don’t want to redo the job because the color wasn’t what you envisioned. Paint can be tricky–a small sample looks drastically different than a row of cabinets. Paint a jumbo poster board with tester colors. After that, hang up each poster in your kitchen to see which one you love best.
Pro-Tip: When it comes to paint for painting kitchen cabinets, you get what you pay for. Splurge for a high-quality gloss paint for a smooth finish.
2. Clean the Wood
Pieces of dust and lint can ruin any paint job. Make sure to clean your cabinet doors and drawers to avoid a gritty texture. And since you’ll be working with water-based paint, wipe down your doors with a grease remover. Otherwise, your paint may not stick!
3. Remove the Doors and Drawers
It’s important to remove the doors and drawers to ensure total color coverage when you paint your kitchen cabinets. Store hardware in small plastic bags and label with masking tape. This will make it easier to put your kitchen back together.
4. Sand Everything Down
If you don’t sand the doors, your kitchen cabinet paint won’t stick. Don’t sand too much—just enough to take off the top layer of gloss.
5. It’s Time to Paint!
Open nearby windows to increase airflow and reduce paint fumes. Use an easel or painter’s pyramid to prop up each door. This will ensure you reach all sides. Next, use a primer to ensure your paint job stays vibrant. Finally, follow your brush strokes with a foam roller to smooth out your paint job as much as possible.
6. Be Patient
Don’t put your kitchen cabinet doors back on right away after you paint. This can cause smudging and make a mess of your new kitchen. Wait until your cabinets are completely dry before putting them back together—at least 48 hours.
Now that you’ve painted everything but the kitchen sink, check out some of our other home improvement projects: