Repainting cabinets adds a lot of freshness to the faded look of the room. Read this piece to get a brief idea on the technique.
The cabinets in your kitchen and bathroom tend to look dull and faded in a matter of time. This is because they are exposed to lots of moisture, dirt and grime. Painting the kitchen and bathroom cabinets in pearly white not only allows it to appear bright and airy but also ensures your home gets a uplift every few years.
Some basic tools that you need for this task are screw driver, brushes of different thickness, sandpaper, multipurpose cleaner, clean rugs, primer and paint.
Step 1
Unscrew all hardware including knobs, handles, latches, pulls from these parts. Then separate the cabinet doors, drawers and hinges from the main frame.
Ensure you keep these items in a handy place easy to locate when you have to reassemble everything. Number each wood piece so you won't be confused while attaching them back.
Step 2
Wipe the surface with a bit of soapy water to get rid of the grime and dirt. A solution of tri-sodium phosphate and water can be used to thoroughly clean the surface. Rinse and allow it to dry.
Step 3
Sand the doors, frames and sides with the help of a medium grade sandpaper.
Do not forget that you have to sand both the inner as well as the outer surface of the cabinet. Wipe the surface with an old rag cloth to get rid of debris and dust.
Step 4
Fill any holes and cracks with a wood filling agent. Ensure the surface area is level and smooth. Cover the inner sides of the doors and frames with masking tape if you do not wish to give them a layer of paint.
Step 5
Apply a coat of wood primer to the boards. While painting oak cabinets white, you have to use a shellac-based primer. You have to apply two coats of primer. The second coat should be applied only when the first one has dried properly.
If you are painting stained cabinets white, then you have to use a lacquer undercoat instead of a primer so that the coarse grain of the stained surface get covered up.
Step 6
Start by painting the inner edges of the frames and the outer sides of cabinet drawers. Always paint in thin, light and even coats. Allow the first coat to dry for a couple of hours before giving it a second coat.
Step 7
Lightly sand the first layer once dry, wipe away the sanding dust with a clean rag. Apply an even coat of color over the first. If needed, sand the second layer lightly before applying a third coat. You can use an acrylic finish for the last layer to easily wipe away grime and dirt that will show up in future.
Step 8
Allow the surface to dry thoroughly before taking off the masking tape from the surface. Apply a thin coat of wood polish to keep the wood from moisture.
Step 9
Let the paint and wood polish dry thoroughly before reinstalling them to their assigned spaces. Start with the hinges and the doors, finally, put on the knobs and pulls on the doors.
Clean the cabinet with water and mild detergent regularly. However, do not use any abrasive cleaner as it can badly affect the paint finish.