Cabinet Painting Sacramento is a big job and requires some serious time commitment. Professional painters who do this on the regular have a system down. They take the doors and drawer faces off and bring them to a warehouse where they can work on them without worrying about getting paint on their hardware or the kitchen floor.
A good cabinet painting job takes at least a few days to complete. You will need to do the prep work, paint, and then let it dry. If you have a busy lifestyle, this may not be the right project for you to tackle on your own. If you’re single, retired, or hoping to take up a new hobby, then the DIY route could be a great option for you. But you need to be prepared for the amount of time this will take away from your family, work, or other hobbies.
The most common mistake people make when trying to paint their own cabinets is not preparing properly. This can cause your paint to chip and not adhere. The first step is cleaning thoroughly. A degreaser, like Krud Kutter or TSP, should be used to remove any grease and grime that has built up over time. This will ensure that your paint will stick to the surface and last.
Next, you will need to sand the surfaces to roughen them up for primer adhesion. This will help the primer adhere to the surface and ensure that your top coat will not crack or peel. This also helps to hide any scratches or blemishes in the wood. It’s important to follow the grain of the wood when sanding. If you don’t, the sanding will show through your final paint job and ruin the look of your cabinets.
Lastly, you will need to tape off the cabinets, counters, and other areas that you don’t want to get paint on. This will protect these areas from getting messy as you work and ensure that your paint job looks flawless once it’s finished.
Before you start painting, be sure to label your doors and drawer fronts. This will make reassembly much easier when it’s time to put them back in place. It’s also a good idea to draw a diagram of the cabinet or label each piece of hardware with a number so you know where they go when it comes time to reinstall them.
Primer
The primer used for cabinet painting is very important to the overall project. It is the layer that provides an adhesion layer that the top coats of paint will bond to. Without a good bond, your new finish will not last. The primer can also hide some stains and other imperfections in the surface that will be revealed by a fresh coat of paint.
There are many different kinds of primers, with each having their own pros and cons. Water-based acrylic or latex primers are the DIY favorite, as they are easy to work with and dry quickly. They also clean up easily with soap and water. However, these products do not provide as strong of an adhesion layer as some oil-based options.
Oil-based primers are high in VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and can have a strong odor. They offer the best stain blocking and adhesion, but they can be messy and require special cleaning solutions to remove.
Shellac-based primers are similar to oil-based primers, but they do not contain any VOCs. These products typically have a light shellac scent and are available in white or gray. They can be used on a variety of surfaces, including wood and manufactured composites.
Odor-blocking primers are great for hiding pre-existing odors and preventing them from bleeding through your new finish. These types of primers are recommended for cabinets in kitchens or other areas where odors may be present, such as a smoking room.
Adhesion primers are designed to bond well with slick surfaces like laminate or glossy paint, ensuring that the new finish won’t peel or chip. They can be used on most surfaces, but they do not hide stains as well as other primers.
The biggest mistake DIY painters make is not priming their cabinets properly. They must thoroughly clean the cabinet surfaces with a product like Krud Kutter or TSP before they can start applying primer. Any dust, bacon grease, or other gunk that is left behind will prevent a proper bond between the primer and the cabinet surface.
It is also important to sand all of the existing surfaces down with 120 grit sandpaper before you apply your primer. This will ensure that your new surface will stick to the cabinets, and it will also help to smooth out any bumps or scratches in the surface. Finally, you should always follow the grain when priming wooden cabinet surfaces.
Paint
Whether your cabinets are made of solid wood, particle board, or manufactured veneers, they will need the right paint to withstand the daily wear and tear. There are a wide variety of paints available, so it is important to select the right one for your project. While oil paints are traditionally recommended for cabinet painting, modern water-based options can give you a smooth finish that lasts just as long. If you choose to go with an alkyd or oil-based paint, be sure to use a degreaser or clean with a damp cloth before priming.
For the best results, professional cabinet painters recommend using a semi-gloss or gloss paint that is durable and easy to wipe down. A glossy sheen also helps brighten up the kitchen. If you prefer a more distressed look, consider a chalk paint that will allow the brush strokes to show through for a shabby chic appearance. Once the chalk paint is dry, you can top it with a clear sealing wax that will protect it from moisture and stains.
When choosing a color, keep in mind that darker colors can make your kitchen feel smaller and may even make the walls seem too dark. A lighter color can open up the room and make the ceiling appear higher. It is also a good idea to test the color in your home before applying it to your cabinets.
Before applying the final coat of paint, it is a good idea to let your work sit overnight and, if possible, for two nights. This will give the paint time to cure properly and help prevent future chipping. Once you have given the paint the proper time to dry, reinstall your doors and drawers. Be sure to label where the hardware goes, so you can re-attach it correctly.
If you are painting your own cabinets, make sure to use a foam roller for large flat surfaces and a soft-bristled brush to get into corners and tight spots. It is also important to follow the product directions for drying times. Keeping the air moving and using fans can speed up the drying process as well.
Finish
When painting cabinets, the most important part of the project is the surface preparation. If the wood or other material isn’t prepared properly, the paint will chip and peel. The first step is sanding the surface of your cabinetry to remove any glossy lacquer and expose the bare wood beneath. You can do this by hand, but it’s much easier to use an electric sander, especially when working on multiple surfaces at once. After sanding, vacuum the sanding dust from all the surfaces you plan to paint and use a tack cloth to clean any areas where dust remains.
Once the sanding is complete, you can apply a primer to your cabinetry. This is a crucial step in any cabinet painting job because it will help the paint adhere and will reduce the chances of visible flaws once the finished coat of paint is applied. After applying the primer, sand once again using 220-grit sandpaper. This will give you a smooth, even finish that’s easy to keep looking great.
After the primer is dry, you can start painting your cabinetry. Whether you choose oil-based or water-based paint, it’s essential to follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions for application and drying time. You’ll want to wait the recommended time between each coat of paint to make sure the final product is strong and durable.
Depending on the look you’re going for, you can choose between gloss, satin, or semi-gloss cabinet enamels. Gloss paint will provide a high-shine that is easily cleaned and resistant to stains. This is a great choice for busy families that use their kitchens frequently.
Satin and semi-gloss finishes are also durable and easy to maintain. They’re not as shiny as gloss, but they still reflect light and hide imperfections well. They’re a good option for families with children, as they can easily be wiped down without showing fingerprints or smudges.
Staining your cabinetry is another option, but it requires more work than painting and can be messy. Staining is a more cost-effective option, but it’s less durable and may require touch-ups more often than painted cabinets. Before you stain your cabinets, you should remove any hardware and place each item in a plastic bag. Label each bag so you know where to reinstall it later. It’s also a good idea to cover any surfaces you don’t want to get paint on, like counters and appliances, with tarps or brown paper.
