Painting cabinets with doors still attached is a common DIY project. However, it’s less efficient than removing the doors and painting them flat. The results tend to have more drips and a rougher texture.
The solution is to use a deglosser and apply several coats of high-adhesion primer to prepare the surface for paint. This prep will improve your finish and prevent mildew growth in a moisture-prone area like the kitchen. Contact San Jose Cabinet Refinishing for more information.
Apply a Liquid Deglosser
Achieving a professional-looking finish on cabinet doors and drawer fronts requires thorough prep, including cleaning the surfaces to remove grease and oil. Sanding can be time-consuming and messy, but there are ways to skip this step and save both money and effort while achieving top-notch results. Using high-quality materials like deglosser and paint, as well as appropriate application techniques, makes it possible to paint cabinets without removing the doors.
If you don’t have access to a power sander, apply a liquid deglosser to your cabinets to break up the surface oils and give you a clean, smooth, primed canvas for painting. Put on your goggles and N95 mask for safety and follow the instructions on the label. Most deglossers need to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing off. After applying the deglosser, feel each cabinet surface to see if it feels greasy or oily. If it does, you’ll need to scrub the surface again with a green scouring pad and rinse before proceeding.
After scrubbing, allow the surface to dry completely before beginning your project. Once the cabinets are ready, tape off any surfaces you want to protect from paint drips and splatters. Protecting floors and countertops with drop cloths or plastic sheets is an important step, as is putting up painter’s tape to create crisp paint lines.
If your cabinets are knotted, a bonding primer is recommended to keep the knot color from bleeding into your new coat of paint. Once the bonding primer is dry, it’s ready to begin painting. Make sure to use a foam roller for flat cabinet faces and drawer fronts, and use smooth strokes to avoid visible lines or texture. Multiple thin coats are better than one thick layer, as this helps each coating dry faster and prevents drips. Once the paint is dry, you can reattach your cabinet doors and drawer fronts and screw the hardware back in place.
Scuff Sand the Surfaces
Scuff sanding the surfaces is an important step for prepping painted cabinets before applying a fresh coat. It dulls the glossy surface and improves paint adhesion, resulting in an even, long-lasting finish. Light sanding is also an excellent way to remove any imperfections, such as brush marks, from the existing surface. You can scuff sand using a hand-held sander or, for larger projects, a block sander.
When you’re ready to begin painting, apply a coat of high-adhesion primer to all surfaces. This will help your new coats of paint adhere properly and reduce the appearance of visible brush strokes for a professional result.
Keeping a small amount of paint on hand will allow you to touch up any chips or scratches that appear over time. This simple maintenance step can prolong the appearance and durability of your cabinets, preserving your investment in kitchen upgrades. It’s also a great way to address any minor cosmetic issues without the expense and hassle of hiring a professional for a complete kitchen overhaul.
Prime the Cabinets
Once the degreaser and scuff sanding are complete, apply a coat of high-adhesion primer to all surfaces to ensure a strong bond between the cabinets and the new paint. This is important to prevent stains or tannins from seeping through the new coat of paint and affecting the final look. Let the primer dry completely before proceeding with painting.
Select a high-quality water-based acrylic latex paint for kitchen cabinets. This type of paint is durable, easy to clean and resists moisture. It also dries quickly, allowing you to finish the project in a timely manner. A semi-gloss or satin finish is recommended for cabinet painting as it provides a balance of beauty and functionality.
Before applying the new paint, lightly scuff sand all surfaces to roughen up the existing sheen and improve adhesion. Wipe down all surfaces with a damp cloth to remove any dust particles that remain.
Once the new coat of paint has dried and cured, carefully reattach all doors, drawers, and hardware, adjusting hinges and handles as necessary for a smooth fit and a professional finish. Reinstalling the hardware is an excellent opportunity to update the look by switching out handles and knobs for a fresh style. Be sure to keep a supply of touch-up paint handy to address any future scratches or chips. This simple maintenance step will help preserve the beauty and integrity of your newly refinished kitchen cabinets for years to come.
Paint the Cabinets
Refinishing cabinets without removing them is an effective and cost-effective home improvement technique. It requires thorough surface prep and patience, but can save money compared to the expense of buying new cabinetry or hiring a professional for a full remodel. With careful planning, the entire process can be completed in a few days or less.
Before applying a fresh coat of paint, be sure to allow cabinetry to fully dry and cure before attaching hinges and hardware. This may take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the type of paint used and product curing times. This step is critical to ensure a durable finish and prevent moisture absorption that can cause cracking and warping.
When painting the cabinetry, work in thin layers to avoid drips and to achieve a smooth and even finish. Apply a light coat of primer first to help the paint adhere, and then follow with two or three thin coats of your chosen color. Opt for a high-quality, semi-gloss or satin paint to reduce visible brush and roller marks for a polished appearance.
It’s also a good idea to keep a small amount of leftover paint on hand for touch-ups later. Keeping this in reserve will make future maintenance much easier and will help maintain the integrity of your painted finishes.
Whether or not you decide to remove the doors and drawer fronts for painting, it’s important to mask them with painter’s tape to protect the frames and other surfaces from paint drips and splatter. This is particularly true for the doors themselves, which may stick to their frame if exposed to moisture while they’re wet. It’s also a good idea to tape off and cover any handles and hinges left in place, as well as any areas you don’t want painted.
Once the cabinetry is dry and cured, carefully reattach the doors and drawers and reinstall any hardware. Ensure that each piece is properly aligned and adjusted as needed, then test their functionality to ensure they open and close smoothly.