After sharing our son’s bathroom makeover, we received so many requests for a paint tutorial. When you are done with the two coats of the latex paints, you have to be patient as most advises tells that three days are required before you rehang or use again the doors and drawers. Measure and cut plywood panels to fit the exposed ends of the cabinet. You can sand and paint or stain old doors. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. If needed, replace with new drawer slides. Work the paint onto the surface from top to bottom in even strokes. Once any old paint has been taken off the cabinets, they can be primed and filled. The trade-off is, oil-based paint is more durable and the sheen makes cleaning up spills a snap; little more than a damp rag is usually required. This will help the latex paint to adhere to the surface of the cabinets. If you are transitioning from a dark color to a lighter color or vice versa, you will need to prime before rolling on the paint. Reassemble the Cabinets And now we’re back to the roller again. And smelly. Kimberley McGee is an award-winning journalist with 20+ years of experience writing for a variety of clients, including The New York Times, Las Vegas Review-Journal Home section and other national publications. Remove the excess piece of top veneer from the rail, then lift up the edge of the rail veneer. ", Internal hardware in good condition - drawer tracks, shelves, internal storage structures. When I rehung, a couple of the doors hit wood and will not close. Gather rollers, pans and paint brushes in various thicknesses to be prepared to get into small spaces. It is not suited for cabinets coated with water-based flat, eggshell or satin latex paint. Which was messy. Rent tools and trucks for any project at The Home Depot. The ultimate test of milk paint, you could say. ", Step 4: 1. i can’t wait to finish this project up, i think it will make a huge difference. http://lotzremodeling.com/blog/how-to-rehang-a-door/ Learn how to rehang a door. Wear gloves and clean the sides and faces of the cabinets with a cleaner formulated to remove grease and oils. I took this picture after 3 coats of the milk paint. You need to clean the frames carefully, paint them, and wait for 24 hours to get dry. Repeat the process with the adjacent stile. It is a very long and tedious job to paint cabinets but so worth the look after. I was covering my 1960’s orange oak cabinets with Snow White General Finishes milk paint. You may even be having trouble closing the doors completely. This should create a neat join. Use a drill to create screw holes in the door, then affix the hinges with wood screws. When I started painting my cabinets, I did not sand and I did not use primer. When using a white latex paint for kitchens, choose a latex paint that won’t yellow over time. How long it takes to cure depends on the type of paint: Oil-based paints - about 7 days. if you apply a solvent-based polyurethane over a water-based finish, potential adhesion problems could lead to flaking. In case you missed it, the concept is pretty simple: another blogger and I go head to head each week… which basically keeps me in line and on task. Rails are the horizontal faces of the cabinets; stiles are the vertical pieces. Additional Tips This will lower the number of coats of latex paint that the cabinet will need to finish the job. This will require more sanding and prep work, but if the wood is gorgeous, it is worth the time and effort. Rehanging them is easier if you have the exact same hardware and have marked each door (which I carefully did and then forgot to remark them after the paint dried–before we picked them up from their pretty little orderly setup- grrr). It’s a tall order. Use a gentle grease remover… Apply the veneer to the rails of the cabinet so that it overlaps the stiles on both sides. Use water-based polyurethane as a final protective coating on the cabinet surfaces. With the correct tools and products in place, you can turn drab and shabby into crisp, clean and modern. They look lovely when they are clean but they are constantly dirty and extremely difficult to get clean without harming the paint – expecially the lower cabinets and the one above the stove. Cabinet refacing basically replaces the veneer on the visible surfaces of the cabinet while leaving the structural aspects intact. Latex satin finish is preferred over oil paints, which can clump and dribble down the cabinet in thick strands. It’s also a lot less expensive. Mark the screw hole locations on the door. Let It Dry! Typically, a light sanding gives the primer something to grip. Allow them to dry thoroughly before applying a second coat. If you purchase something through the link, I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. However, you have to be sure that your cabinets are in the right shape to be refaced rather than replaced. A kitchen cabinet makeover is a great way to refresh the space without the expense and disruption of a full kitchen remodel.. Solvent-based polyurethane is suited for cabinets coated with oil-based paint. Roll on a layer of paint onto the shaker frame front. Next, using the same hand screwdriver, adjust the screw that’s facing … Wipe down cabinets to remove any chunks of dirt or cobwebs. What Happened When I Didn’t Sand. You can still get a little bit of sticking, which is the difference between dry to the touch vs. cure time. The longer the paint dries, the more durable its finish will be, and the less likely it will stick … The first step is to use your screwdriver or drill (with a driver bit) to … Use a piece of scrap wood to create a jig and use it to create the holes in the cabinet for the hinges. Is there an easy way to find which hinges should be moved where? Sand the surfaces and wipe down with a tack cloth. © 2000-2020 Home Depot Product Authority, LLC. It seals the surface of the cabinet so that odors, oil or grease don't seep through the paint and into the cabinet’s surface material, marring the paint job. For a paint to be considered dry, enough solvents must evaporate so it feels dry to the touch. ", Step 5: Doors, drawer fronts and hardware are also usually upgraded in cabinet refacing projects, although if these elements are in good shape, they can easily be reused after cleaning and applying a new coat of wood stain. I presume it means a hinge is slightly bent? If the internal hardware can be reused, install the old drawer slides onto the drawer boxes. ", Step 2: Take the first piece and align it so that it slightly overhangs all the edges of the stile. By the time we’re out of your house, you can go ahead and hang pictures up. A before of the after the first time I painted our builder grade kitchen cabinets. A stain can also be placed on top of a painted kitchen cabinet. Peel one corner of the backing away and then press it into place. Fill in any holes with wood filler. Wash the cabinets with warm water mixed with a mild soap to get rid of any grease or dust. Next step is to re-sand the cabinet after you prime it in ensuring that the cabinets are slick already. Hanging the doors involves attaching the hinges to the door, determining how the door fits on the cabinet, and aligning the door evenly on the cabinet. Before removing hardware, scrub all cabinets with a grease-cutting cleaner and scrubbing sponge. This post and the photos within it may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. September 8, 2016 at 12:15 pm. Today I am breaking down the entire process and taking you through a step by step guide on how to paint thermofoil cabinets. The one to the right is two, and so on. Evaluate Your Kitchen Cabinets After repainting my kitchen cabinets, I had to re-hang the doors. Orient the doors so that all the patterns run in the same direction. Flip over the cabinet doors and drawers to paint the backsides. Water-based dries fast and is odor-free, making it easy to work with. Ladies after my own heart. A small brush can quickly deal with clumps of paint that tend to gather around the panel depressions, beveled corners and recesses. After the first coat of paint has dried, it is time to apply the second coat of paint. Continue to peel away the backing and press the adhesive side down as you go. Paint the edges all the way around being careful not to let the paint glob up. Rehang all cabinet doors and reinstall all cabinet drawers. Have a small paint brush on hand to take care of any drips or globs and to smooth out recesses or beveled edges. That’s one. Complete the first coat and allow it to dry. After the layer of paint … PAINTING WITH CHALK PAINT: The painting step is the fun part and I think it’s pretty hard to mess it up, though I know from experience that not everyone can paint (LOL! Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. Kitchen cabinet refacing is experiencing a surge of popularity because it saves money over a full remodel, and it is a green solution. You know who you are)! Remove from hinges and take off all hardware. Whether you opt for brand new cabinets or refinishing your existing cabinets, you can save a lot of money by installing them yourself. Painting the cabinet frame is not so different than that. Allow time to dry thoroughly. Latex paint carries a faint odor, is easy to clean up after and dries fast. In addition, there are refacing options for just about any style, and while it can be tackled as a DIY project, refacing can also be requested from professional installers. Apply in a thin layer, brushing in the direction of the wood grain or pattern, in even single strokes. That is the only way to make your cabinets look fresh once again. And took forever to dry before I could rehang the doors and reinstall the drawers. Remove all cabinet doors & number them. If the color doesn’t work with your decor or simply doesn’t convey the style of which you dream, then painting over them is a good option. It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time for another Dueling DIY update! I had my cabinet doors and drawers painted on Friday , the painter is to paint the boxes on tuesday and wants to hang the doors back on Thursday . Before you begin, the surfaces of the cabinets need to be roughed up. Allow time to dry, then lightly sand for a smooth, uniform surface. Number each cabinet front and drawer that you remove. Reply. Kitchen cabinets that are already painted with latex can be prepped and painted over with new paint. Her full bio and clips can be viewed at www.vegaswriter.com. If you aren’t sure what style you desire, look for repainting kitchen cabinets before and after photos for ideas. Need Help? Using a utility knife and a ruler or straightedge as guide, trim the excess veneer from all the edges of the stiles. 5 Mistakes to Avoid While Painting Cabinets. How to Get the Dirt Out of Beadboard Cabinets, Glidden: Repainting Kitchen Cabinets in a Few Easy Steps, This Old House: Painting Kitchen Cabinets, How to Tone Down Glossy Painted Kitchen Cabinets, How to Make Oak Cabinets Look Like French Country, How to Get the Antique White Distressed Look on Cabinets. Learn how to paint cabinet doors in the best way — the way that means you only have to do it ONCE — from Meredith (and don’t forget to link up your door projects and then make us laugh for a chance to win $25). and seeing your before and after (well, before and temp. Remove the doors and work with each one individually to get a better finished project. This will help the latex paint to adhere to the surface of the cabinets. Next, apply the veneer to the rails so that it overlaps the stiles on either side. Always allow the surfaces sufficient time to dry before flipping or handling. Slide drawers into place. Let’s start this how to paint builder grade cabinets post with a reminder of the before. A good pair of gloves that aren’t too thick and allow your fingers to move freely will help you get around the crevices and corners of cabinets. Adjust Hinges to Level Doors. While the actual priming and painting only took three days (can you say marathon painting? A resin-based primer does double duty. In chocolate brown. I had new white cabinets in my last house and after seven years many had discolored. The process reuses the standing cabinet structure, keeping the old cabinet boxes from clogging up a waste facility. January 8, 2015 by Cori George 42 Comments. On the inside of each cabinet door, label its placement to make it easy to rehang after painting. Repeat these steps to apply a second and third coat of polyurethane. Why would you need to re-hang a door? It may be less expensive in the long run to invest in replacement cabinets. Measure all of the rails and stiles and record the measurement of each. Apply Protective Coating Latex paints - about 30 days. Refacing kitchen cabinets is a popular project for homeowners looking for a straightforward renovation option. 8. I plan on sealing mine and am glad to know about the sealer you used. Painted cabinets look lovely, but they aren't going to look totally … Use a carpenter square to line up the join between the two pieces of veneer, then run your utility knife along the guideline, slicing through both pieces of veneer. Clean the cabinet doors and drawer fronts. The current selection of latex paint products on the market makes it much more user friendly to refurbish wood or laminate cabinets. in Journalism from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. great tutorial! Always begin applying veneer with the stiles, or vertical lengths. If the cabinets you are repainting are glossy, bright white or a dark color, then they will need to be primed. Prepare to Work on the Cabinets 7. Lightly sand all the surfaces with fine-grit sandpaper, then wipe away any sanding dust with a tack cloth. So here we go, step-by-step. Each strip should be 1/2-inch wider and 2 inches longer than the corresponding rail or stile. Refresh old cabinets that look tired and dated with a slick of latex paint to completely change the look and feel of the kitchen. If the plan calls for a filler strip at a particular location, clamp it to the face frame and attach it as … Some painting contractors, however, like to paint before the kitchen cabinets go in, as this eliminates the work of masking off all the cabinets and painting around them. You have unrealistic expectations. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. Before you begin, the surfaces of the cabinets need to be roughed up. Remove all the contents of your drawers and cabinets and store them safely in another room. Prepare the Doors and Drawers Apply the first coat of polyurethane with a paintbrush recommended for the finish you've chosen. Refacing kitchen cabinets is a popular project for homeowners looking for a straightforward renovation option. Stain the cabinet doors and drawer fronts to match the new veneer. Number all of your upper cabinets and then start numbering the lower drawers and cabinets. Use a utility knife and ruler or straightedge to cut the veneer into strips with the wood grain or pattern running lengthwise. Check the cabinets for dents and deep scratches and fill them with caulking or wood filler. How to Paint Cabinet Doors — The Right Way Remove all cabinet doors, drawers and drawer fronts. All Rights Reserved. Then on your diagram, assign each door and drawer a number. ), reviving your kitchen cabinets will also require at least one solid day for prep, and at least one additional day to put everything back together. Wash all of the surfaces after sanding. i’m currently on step 5 in my kitchen, glad to see that i’ve been doing things correctly. Apply the Veneer Start at the top, left cabinet. Use a paintbrush to fill in any detail areas. That time around I used an oil-based paint. Remove all doors and drawers. Reinstall all the hardware and hinges. The first rule of cabinet repainting: Make sure the cabinets and doors are clean and dry. Kitchen cabinets set the tone of the room. Install the door hinges, positioning each hinge one hinge-length from the top and from the bottom of the door. Prior to removing the cabinet doors, I sketched a rough plan of the kitchen (pic 2), numbering each door as I removed it, so I knew where it would be refitted at the end. Not sure if this is the category I should use, but I have removed my cabinet doors and hinges to paint. A kitchen cabinet makeover is a great way to refresh the space without the expense and disruption of a full kitchen remodel. A painted cabinet door looks best when it has a glassy, smooth surface. Apply carpenter glue and affix the plywood panel to the cabinet. Very timely as I am in the process of painting my kitchen cabinets. Evaluate the condition of your cabinets by looking at these elements: If any of these elements are not present, your current cabinets may not take well to refacing. Thank you for the update. Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts), Step 1: Painting over painted cabinets requires good prep work. Tip: Be sure to change the knife blade after every few cuts to ensure that the cuts stay clean. ", Step 6: This means that the paint also has to cure. I love that so many of you are wanting to jump into your own project. Once the strip is in place, take a small wood block and firmly press down the length of the strip to force out any air bubbles and ensure the glue adheres firmly and smoothly. Attach the drawer fronts to the boxes and then install the drawer pulls. The painter used a Sherwin Williams paint made for doing cabinets and said it would be okay to rehang them so … Cecilia says. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. Allow them to dry thoroughly. Those globs will drip and look uneven and unprofessional when the doors dry. Continue finishing all the cabinet facing. She earned a B.A. Remove all the hardware from the cabinets and drawers. My current house had white painted cabinets when we moved in. Use a sanding sponge and go over every surface, corner and groove of the cabinet fronts. Oil-based paint carries a stronger odor, must be cleaned up with mineral spirits and takes much longer to dry. Thanks for an honest update! The painter just needs to be willing to come in and do some touchups after the installation if this is the case. Order your refacing materials and any new hardware. Lay down a tarp and paint the front of each piece. Turns out hanging cabinet doors is trickier than it looks. Paint doesn’t cure, or reach maximum hardness, until days after the paint is dry. Remove the cut piece of stile veneer from underneath. Prime, Fill and Sand. ", Step 3: Painting over painted cabinets requires good prep work. Most of the paints we use are a water-based or latex paint so those typically dry to the touch within 30 minutes. Press in place, then secure with 2d finish nails. In this installment of Dueling DIY, I show you a nifty trick for how I did it!. #ShutTheFrontDoorDIY couldn’t be complete without addressing the most numerous doors in your house: cabinet doors! If you wish to redo your kitchen cabinets with paint, consider your choices carefully. Prep cabinets. Step by step guide to painting kitchen cabinets 1. Then smooth the edge of the rail veneer back into place. As a professional writer she has researched, interviewed sources and written about home improvement, interior design and related business trends. 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