Paint Your Cabinets in Six Steps

How To Get Started

Step by Step

• I suggest emptying the cabinets before starting the refinishing process. Remove cabinet doors. Remove drawers and empty contents.
• Move cabinet contents back away from edge to allow for cleaning, sanding and painting.
• Remove the hardware, knobs, pulls and hinges. If you are going to reposition the hardware or install a different style, drill the new mounting holes and fill the old holes with heavy spackling paste by Zinsser or a wood filler.
• Inspect cabinet surfaces for any signs of mold or mildew. All mold or mildew must be removed with three parts water and one part bleach prior to surface cleaning. Rinse thoroughly.
• Mount new hinges and align doors for proper fit to the frame. This will eliminate the need for drilling and will help prevent any accidental scratches or other marring after painting. Once doors are fitted properly, remove the hinges and set aside.

Degreasing

Can you skip to Step 2?

1. Wipe the surface with a cloth dampened with mineral spirits. This removes grease and grime. Turn the cloth often to avoid reapplying the grime back to the surface.
2. Let the mineral spirits evaporate 5 minutes.
3. Examine the surface with your hand. If it feels sticky, wipe again with the mineral spirits. Let dry 5 minutes.

Mix the Cleaning Solution

Follow Label Directions Carefully

1. Mix the cleaning solution in one bucket. Fill the second bucket with a gallon of clean warm water.
2. Use a scrubbing sponge like SOS or equivalent. Apply the cleaning solution with the scrubber side of the sponge. Wash vigorously, especially in corners and on edges and around knob and pull areas.
3. Rinse sponge in clean water before applying cleaning solution to adjacent area.
4. Important step: Towel dry the surface before solution dries.
5. Repeat until all surfaces are clean.
6. Allow all surfaces to dry a minimum of one hour before proceeding.

SANDING IS A MUST!

Sand WITH the Grain

1. Sand lightly, but thoroughly.
2. Pay particular attention to edges and corners.
3. Make sure these surfaces are smooth and clean. Examine all surfaces before moving on to next step. Make sure that all surfaces to be painted are smooth.
4. When sanding is complete, vacuum all dust from the surfaces, crevices, corners etc.
5. Wipe the surfaces with a tack cloth followed by a cloth dampened with mineral spirits.
6. Let dry.
7. Vacuum the work area to pick up residual sanding dust from floors and appliances, etc.

Let's Brush On The Primer!

• Doors. Use a block of wood or empty boxes (shirt boxes work great) to elevate the doors off the worktable so you can paint the edges easily. Using the 2" brush apply primer to back sides of doors and edges. After 2 hours of drying time, turn door over and prime the front of the doors. Be sure all edges, lips, etc. are primed.
• Drawers. You may want to mask along the drawer box to maintain a clean, straight edge between the drawer box and drawer fronts. (You can leave this tape on until you're finished with the final painting) Apply primer to drawer fronts, edges and inside lip of drawer front. If you're good with a brush, go for it without masking it!
• Cabinet frame. Mask along bottom rail and cabinet box, top rail and headboard and other areas as required to maintain a clean straight edge. With the 1 ½" brush apply the primer to the inside edges of vertical stiles then to the face of vertical stiles. Prime horizontal rails starting with the inside edge then the face of the horizontal rails.
• Remove the masking tape before proceeding to the next step!
• End panels (returns). Use masking tape if needed. Prime end panels (returns) with 2" brush or small roller.
  
  Note : If you use a roller, a slight stipple pattern may appear on the surface when dry. If you want it smooth, use the brush only.
  
  
• Allow primer to dry for at least one hour.
• Remove the masking tape.
• For a super smooth surface, apply a second coat of primer and let dry overnight or 8 hours. (If you are using this step, you can remove masking tape after second coat of primer is brushed on.) After primer has dried for 8 hours, lightly sand the primed surfaces with #400 sandpaper. Sand as if you're buffing the surface, gently.

Painting

Find a place to layout the doors and drawer fronts.

1. A clean dust free environment is preferred.
2. Use a block of wood or empty boxes (shirt boxes work great) to elevate the doors off the table so you can paint the edges with the fronts.
3. Stir the paint slowly and thoroughly.
4. Pour one quart of the paint into the Handy Paint Pail or an empty gallon paint can.

Doors & Drawers

Notes:

1. DO NOT APPLY A HEAVY COAT. Two thin coats are much better than a heavy coat. Heavy coats will run or sag . Practice your brushing skills on a scrap piece to get the hang of it . Remember to paint doors with vertical brush strokes and drawers with horizontal brush strokes.
2. Using the 2" brush OR a 7 ¼" nap woven roller cover apply the first coat of your chosen acrylic enamel paint on the backside of door.
3. Dip 1/3 of the brush into the paint. Lightly tap the sides of the brush against the can or paint pail. Don't scrape off the paint! Do not "over brush" the paint; it will level to a smooth finish as it dries.
4. Begin brushing out the paint in 8" to 12" sections. Brush out to a uniform film maintaining a wet edge (paint from an unpainted area into the wet paint film).
5. Finish with brush strokes in one direction from end to end of door and move to next section.
6. After the required drying time (4 hours minimum) you can turn the door over and paint the front and any edges, lips, etc.

Cabinet Frame

1. Apply painter's masking tape as you did in " Step 4: Primer".
2. Using the 1 ½" brush apply a thin coat of paint to the inside edge of each vertical stile and then the face of the vertical stile. Brush it out 4 to 6 inches. Finish with brush stroke in one direction.
3. Paint inside edges of horizontal rails and then the face of horizontal rails. Brush it out 4 to 6 inches. Finish with brush stroke in one direction. Painting it this way will help avoid runs and drips at edges and corners.
4. Remove the masking tape before proceeding to next step.

End Panels (returns)

Use Masking Tape if Needed

1. Paint end panels (returns) with 2" brush or roller.
2. Remove the masking tape.
3. Allow paint to dry according to label instructions.
4. Apply second coat of paint in the same manner as the first coat.

A #220 to #240 grit sandpaper is used for this purpose.

1. Allow the first coat to dry for at least 8 hours.
2. Keeping the paper flat against the surface, very lightly "buff" the paint. Do not apply pressure!
3. After sanding, vacuum with a brush attachment and wipe clean with a tack cloth.
4. Apply second coat of paint in the same manner as the first coat.

Sealer Coat

This step is not required when using a high quality acrylic enamel.

Paint Recommendations

I have used these paints and achieved successful results

• Cabinet Coat by Insl-x
  
• Satin Impervo Waterborne by Benjamin Moore
  
• Pro Classic Satin Waterborne by Sherwin Williams
  
• You can also use Semi-gloss enamel if you like

Professional Brushes for Professional Results

Purchase and use the style of brush you are most comfortable with.

• Corona Brush:
  · Angle Sash - Cortez
  · Flat Brush - Tacoma
• Wooster Brand:
  · Angle Sash - Ultra Pro Soft Willow # 4167
  · Flat Brush - Ultra Pro Soft Mink # 4172
• Purdy Brand:
  · Glide Elite