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Cabinets

If you’re looking to paint your cabinets, here’s what you need to know.

Painting cabinets is a long process lasting between 4 to 7 days, depending on the size or if there are multiple cabinets throughout your home, like your bathroom or a bar area. So be prepared to adjust your schedule around that. If you’re painting your kitchen cabinets, assume you won't be cooking for a while.

Here are the general steps:

All objects must be removed from drawers and cabinets beforehand. All hardware will be removed,
Cleaned with regular dish soap.
Mask all surrounding surfaces to prevent overspray.
Light sanding removes a top coat from stained cabinets, creating a porous surface for the paint and primer to adhere to.
Primer, usually a stain-blocking primer for previously stained cabinets and to penetrate any oil build-up that may have penetrated the original stain/paint.
Lightly sand between layers starting with primer and after each coat.
Reinstall all hardware and adjust.
Touch up as needed and clean all trash created from the painting and prepping process.
Homeowner and lead painter walkthrough

Example of how we cover surfaces not being painted. Using paper, plastic, and tape to fully cover anything not being painted.

Removing all hardware really means removing all hardware: handles, buttons, hinges, etc. We’ll place all pieces and screws into a container to secure them and keep them safe throughout the project. They will be reinstalled and doors will be realigned.

Cleaning will play a big role in the preparation. In areas like your kitchen, oils, grease, and grime tend to build up around handles or the tops and bottoms of doors. These build-ups will be noticeable once painted as yellowing, the paint will roll right off those spots, or streaks and drips will show through. You can take it upon yourself to clean them, but no bleach or citrus products may be used. These create a film over the surface, making it difficult for the paint to stick.

Masking is usually the most complicated and time-consuming part of the whole process. All cabinet openings from doors or drawers must be masked, usually with a couple of pieces of paper. If the kitchen isn't already in its separate room, then a room will be created around the kitchen. We'll use a few poles that extend to the ceiling and drape plastic over the poles. All flooring is masked closely and entirely. Following the masking of walls and ceilings, unless you have high ceilings, then about 3 ft from the top cabinets of the wall will be masked on all sides. Countertops will also be masked.

Un-Installed & Primed

Should a high build primer be applied to cabinets before painting? If you happen to see yellowing or weird stains coming through the paint, no matter how many layers you’ve already done, it's usually because the wrong primer was used or no primer at all. Primer will create the perfect surface for paint to adhere to and allow paint to stick to its actual color. Shellac or alcohol-based primers are the best to cover over stains. Of course, an oil primer may be used, but those usually take 24 hrs or more to dry before you can apply the first coat of paint. Be aware that both shellac/alcohol-based and oil primers have a strong smell that may cause discomfort in some.

Built in Living Room Cabinetry painted solid white.

Installed & Painted

What type of paint should be used? Look for paint with urethane or enamel, even better if they're together. And of course, you can use a cabinet-specific paint for the best results. These 2 ingredients allow the paint to stay longer and not chip through bangs or scratches. The paint hardens, unlike latex that stays ¨sticky¨, and is usually noticeable in areas with close contact between painted surfaces like cabinets.

Yes, you did see sanding twice in the process. The first sanding removes any top coat, usually a sealer for stained cabinets and creates a porous surface for the primer to adhere to. After the primer, lightly sand over the surface, and after each coat except for the final coat, to remove any rough surfaces created by dust in the air. This will create a smooth finish unachievable by brush and roll. Most projects will only require 2 coats but on special occasions, 3 or even 4 coats in extreme cases may be required.

Clean up all trash created during the painting and prepping process. A good painter does not leave their trash behind for you, the homeowner, to clean up. This includes paper, plastic, tape, drop clothes, and any trash that could've been dragged in under shoes. Now some homeowners do take cleaning into their own hands, but that should never include anything that’s outside of their usual cleaning habits such as mopping, sweeping, or vacuuming. Your painter might even offer to vacuum for you.

And finally, the walk-through. This will always be last. This is when the homeowner and the lead painter will walk together. This is where you can point out anything you see that might not look right. Maybe it's a touch-up or cleaning some paint drips. Once you're happy, you can give payment if the painter can take it. Sometimes their lead painter, or maybe the person you walked with, will be picking up payment.

Aftercare, once your painter is done, make sure to ask how long you should wait before returning your belongings to them. Usually, this takes 1-2 days. Avoid using any type of cleaning product for 2 weeks if you happen to need to use a degreaser, a month would be best and only use it where needed.

Don’t forget, if there’s something you want done, ask. If you don’t want something to be done, request it. It’s your home, workplace, business, or rental. A professional painter is there to help you make your vision come true.