How to Refinish Kitchen Cabinets
Posted in Kitchen Tips on January 29, 2010
Though the handyman often will not hesitate when faced with the job of repainting walls and ceiling, many are reluctant to tackle the job of repainting kitchen cabinets. Contrary to popular opinion, a smooth professional looking job can be achieved by the home decorator — providing the right materials are used and techniques are followed.
How to Refinish Kitchen Cabinets
Since the kitchen cabinet doors are the most prominent part of any kitchen cabinet, these should obviously get the most attention. Most professionals agree that the best way to get a smooth, uniform finish is to take the doors down and remove all hardware before refinishing them. If the paint is to be applied by brush, then the doors can be laid flat so that the paint will flow out to a ripple-free coating. If the doors are to be sprayed, they can be propped up in the garage and then allowed to dry hard before rehanging.
By removing all hardware first the handyman will also find it simpler to sand the surface smooth, and he will be able to apply the new paint more easily with full length strokes. The extra time and effort required will be more than repaid in work saved when trying to “cut in” around hinges and knobs—and in wiping off paint smears.
If the existing finish is in fairly good condition, and if the new paint is approximately the same color as the old paint, than one coat of enamel will often be sufficient. However, if the old finish is badly worn or nicked, or if a considerable change of color is contemplated, then two coats will probably be required In this case, the handyman will find it best to apply a base coat of enamel undercoat ; sometimes called underbody) followed by a top coat of quick drying enamel. Though a high gloss enamel finish is usually preferred, a semi-gloss enamel can also be used— if a less glossy finish is desired.
To apply the paint, either a brush, a spray gun, a small mohair roller, or a mohair-faced applicator can be used. Rollers work well with the undercoat, and with the semi-gloss enamels. However, they will not give as smooth a finish when used with a high gloss enamel. Spray guns which do not require excessive thinning of the paint will give excellent results with all finishes—but some practice may be required to get a really good finish.
A soft bristled, fully stocked paint brush (2 or 3 inches wide is a good size) will give excellent results with all finishes, if properly handled. The brush should be dipped into the paint no more than one-third its bristle length, then tapped lightly against the inside rim of the can to remove the excess (never wipe off the excess by drawing the brush across the rim). Flow the paint on with light, parallel strokes, avoiding any tendency to “scrub” it on the kitchen cabinets. Brush across the width of the door while keeping the brush fully loaded at all times.
As each kitchen cabinet door is covered, the paint is cross-stroked without dipping the brush any more. The bristle tips are dragged lightly along the length of the door at right angles to the original strokes. These cross-strokes should be made in one motion, from one end of the cabinet door to the other while holding the brush at a forty-five degree angle to the surface. This tends to level out all brush marks left by the original strokes, and helps to smooth out any irregularities in the finish.
Mohair-faced applicator pads also do a remarkably effective job of spreading on a smooth coat of enamel. If handled with reasonable care, they will spread the paint on in a smooth uniform coating, and in less time than would normally be required by a conventional paint brush when refinishing kitchen cabinets.
Since no paint job can be any smoother than the surface beneath it, it is particularly important that the old surface be prepared properly before the first can of paint is opened. Paint cannot adhere satisfactorily over a surface which is dirty or greasy, so the first step is to scrub the cabinets thor-oughly with a powerful detergent solution. Allow this to dry completely, then sand with fine grit paper to smooth off scratches and nicks, and to dull down any gloss which remains. If preferred, a “liquid sandpaper” or “surface preparer” solution can be used. This liquid is simply wiped on to remove old wax, grease and dirt, and to dull down the gloss.
Bad nicks and deep scratches will require more vigorous sand¬ing with a coarser grit (medium) sandpaper first. A finer grit is then used to remove scratches left by the coarser paper. In extreme cases where the old finish is very rough or badly marred, complete removal of the old finish may be the best solution. Deep gouges, cracks or other depressions should be filled in with water-mixed wood putty, or with a ready-mixed wood plastic compound.
After the doors have been taken down and hardware re¬moved, and after all surfaces have been prepared as described above, the first coat of under- body is applied. This is allowed to dry for at least twenty-four hours, then sanded lightly with fine grit paper. Dust thoroughly to remove all grit left by the sanding in your kitchen cabinets, then apply the finish coat of enamel. If this finish coat is to be a definite color, then the handyman will find it easier to tint the undercoat (which only comes in white) before it is applied.
Source: Bernard Gladstone, New York Times
I like the layout of your blog and I’m going to do the same thing for mine. Do you have any tips? Please PM ME on yahoo @ AmandaLovesYou702
First of all, awesome article! I’ve got a little question nagging me, I really enjoy the layout of your site and tried to download the same theme on my WP blog. Yet, there is some kind of strange php error in the sidebar. Do you have any hints, what settings are you using? Please PM me on Twitter @FitnessHealthGuide or per e-mail.
Great information! I’ve been looking for something like this for a while now. Thanks! Roberto Justus
Great post as usual, thank you for posting so much informative stuff on a regular basis.
Hey just wanted to let you know that your content is very impressive, also You’re writing is wicked!, thanks again.
Have you noticed more visitors to your site lately? You’re all over Bing search! I really like your blog, thanks again.
Wonderful Site! I wanted to ask if I could quote a portion of your pages and use a handful of items for a school assignment. Please let me know through email whether or not that would be fine. Thanks
lol she is gorgeous!!
Hey i just thought I should leave a bit of feedback as i really likeyour site its so interesting, keep it up!
Let’s write history! you are challenged to make this painting worlds most exclusive. Forget van Gogh, Rembrandt because here you’ll truly find world’s most expensive painting. Good luck bidders and thank you press and world for your attention.
Cheers, remodelling my place and this is good information
I love Blogging. Keep up all the work. I too love to blog. Great Stuff Here.
It is nice that you wrote about this. I found you on google and I had been looking for info about this. Nice blog, thank you for the info.
Hi; Nice informations for me. Your post has good quality. I wish to has valuable posts like yours in my website. How do you write these posts? And you have a problem about your template.You should fix your caseabout your template … I recently came across your blog and have been visitingalong. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Very Nice blog. I will keep reading this blog very often.Good day…
To tell the truth, I’am speechless. The Shawshank Redemption is grand. I am not too old movie fanatic, as a matter of fact, this film is realised the same yearI was born, and consequently I am more used to movies with incredible special effects, edge-of-your-seat action, et cetera. This film has zero of that, and nonetheless, it appeals me very . Way Frank Darabont uses the story of Red to drive on the story, the beauty of the film music applied (note the harmonica used merely before Red getting the letter at the end). The entire film, from starting to closing, from actions to music, is a lighthouse of desire, assessment, and redemption. The cast is mastered, Morgan Freeman(Red) in reality brings about a fresh feel to the film, and that is exactly what the film is, what a movie should be. Highly recommended for every and everyone.
allright!
I like this article. This will be my First trip to this site. Thanks for sharing . I must subscribe to this website. I was a auto repairist for a long time. My do-it-yourself tip of the day is: Do not try a difficult repair solo. That can cost you additional money in the end. Thank you again…
Things i do not comprehend is how youre not really much more well-liked than you may be now. You are so smart. You realize so significantly relating to this topic, created me personally consider it through a lot of varied angles. Its like women and men are not interested unless it has some thing to accomplish with Rhianna! Your things great. Always maintain up!
Heya this is kinda of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding experience so I wanted to get guidance from someone with experience. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
One more important thing to consider when painting the cabinet doors is having as dust-free environment as possible for drying. I have seen doors that were painted out in the backyard and ended up being coated with dust. It makes for an even bigger job trying to re-do them.
I am very thankful to this topic because it really gives up to date information.
This is a very fascinating post, I was looking for this knowledge. Just so you know I discovered your web page when I was doing research for blogs like mine, so please check out my site sometime and leave me a comment to let me know what you think.
Thanks for the post! I had a terrible time in rearranging and remodelling my kitchen when we came to our new home. We went for a do-it-yourself video for our kitchen cabinet refacing which was quite affordable and we enjoyed doing the make over.
If you are painting your cabinets you may choose not to see your woodgrain anymore.In this case use car filler over the grain,allow to dry and sand then re-apply then coat with zinsser shellac to see if the grain has been removed.Done properly you can get stunning results.If possible spray enamel using an hvlp spraying but a decent one 2-3 stage turbine is preferred.The above article is great,explains the whole procedure very well but to get a factory finish use a sprayer.If you’re using a brush buy a purdy ox hair brush for a very fine finish.Compare the cost of a new kitchen and it’s worth spending a some money to get a high quality finish.Good luck.
I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your website. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme? It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same outdated rehashed material. Great read! We are looking for ideals for our new site. Thank You. Hardwood Flooring – Royal Flooring Center, 1515 Matheson Blvd. East, Unit B10, Mississauga, ON L4W 2P5 (905) 625-4344