subject: How To Start A Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing And Painting Project. [print this page] Waxes, spray polishes, oil, dirt and grease get embedded in the varnish or lacquer surface of the cabinets which can't be easily removed with washing alone. Leaving the stained kitchen cabinets looking dull and outdated over the years. This can be a eye sore but help is on the way.
Some steps to get your kitchen cabinets to a better look is painting the often dark cabinets, bringing a new life look can also brighten a kitchen image.
I've found an easy way to remove the cabinet doors to assure the doors go back in the right place. By numbering the doors where the hinges were once and placing a piece of tape over the number as to not paint the number. Applying same number on the inside of the cabinet frame if needed or just counting left to right. Write the numbers for top section cabinets and letters for bottom section of cabinets will also be easier to identify.
By taking the cabinet doors outside in an open area to sand is a better option because this will produce a lot of dust. A palm sander tool with 50 grit sandpaper will bring the cabinet door to the bare wood faster, this saving time. The oil base primer will bond better also. For a workable surface area to work on, use some sawhorses then lay the cabinet door on top of plywood. Please use a dust mask when sanding.
Since you might think of having the added challenge of sanding inside the kitchen, try using a chemical solution called liquid sandpaper to avoid the sanding dust. This will slightly melt the varnish and clean the surface too. Producing a area that is clean so the oil base primer can bond.
Apply two coats of oil-based primer to the doors and drawer fronts. Spraying a lacquer oil based primer is more efficient as the drying time is typically 15 minutes between primer coats - lots less time waiting as compared with oil based primers. Sand between coats. Since lacquer primer does not raise the wood grain, sanding will be easier. Allow at least 24 hours before applying finish coats of paint. Then spray two oil-based finish coats. Spraying creates a much smoother finish.
Consider using the brushing method for the kitchen cabinet frames and applying coats of primer and finish and sanding between coats.
Finally, a word of advice. Painting requires a great amount of skill, patience, and attention to detail that can only be learned through experience. The kitchen is important focus point of the home interior. You want a factory finish, not just a coat of paint. Painting kitchen cabinets is a craft. Hiring a real craftsman to handle the project is a much less expensive option compared with purchasing and installing a new set of kitchen cabinets.
