Giving your kitchen cabinet a fresh coat of paint might be the best renovation decision, especially if your cabinet is solid and looking a bit dark, rusty and dated. If you have never done this before, consider hiring a pro to spray-paint your cabinets for you, it is a less messy and cost effective alternative in the long run.
Talking of cost, hiring a local painter within your area is relatively affordable as compared to using farfetched experts. If you live in Mississauga for example, you may want to search for professional kitchen cabinet painters in Mississauga and its environs, for convenience and efficiency.
Different kitchen cabinet painters may employ a little varying approaches and techniques in their project. The following are however general steps and tips on how to paint kitchen cabinets.
1. Buy the Right Kitchen Cabinet Paint
You will be required to choose between alkyd and acrylic enamel paint. Acrylic, also called water-base, are low-fume and easy to clean up with water. On the other hand, oil base, or alkyd, contains solvents that may be a little irritating, and therefore need good ventilation.
2. Remove doors, shelves and drawers
Removing cabinet drawers and doors gives you an easy time when painting cabinets. Painting over hardware such as hinges is never a good idea; this will affect how these parts will function. Consider using Screwdrivers or cordless drills in removing hinges and hardware.
3. Prep the Surface
All the surfaces that are to be painted should be cleaned using a grease and dirt removing products such as trisodium phosphate. These include boxes, shelves, drawers and both sides of the door. It is advisable to wear protective gloves and goggles while at that. Fill any dents or nicks with a wood filler or spackling compound once you have cleaned and dried your cabinets. You may also want to sand the surface to smooth dawn any imperfections and dull the surface a little.
4. Painting your first coat
Paint each drawer and door front with primer using a roller, sprayer or brush. Sprayers will however work best for this job, in fact, most experienced kitchen cabinet painters in Mississauga prefer using sprayers for their first and efficient execution. If you stick to using a brush, make sure that you paint with even, smooth and long motions to make sure that brushstrokes are not visible. Turn the doors and apply to the unfinished sides. Allow the primer to dry.
5. Apply a second coat
The second coat should be applied after the primer coat has completely dried, and it should also be left to dry. For a supper-smooth finish, consider working close with professional painters. If you are around areas of Toronto and Mississauga for example, consider calling in renowned kitchen cabinet painters in Mississauga. Alternatively, you can send your kitchen cabinet drawers and doors to professional cabinetmakers or paint shops.
6. Putting It Back Together
When the paint finish has completely dried, it is time to screw the hinges back to the door, attach drawer pulls, and install the doors back onto the cabinetry box.