Cabinets

Replacing your kitchen cabinets can be very costly.  If the cabinets themselves are in good shape, you could consider giving them a face-lift by painting them.  This is an inexpensive way to update the look of your kitchen.  Doing a proper job will ensure the paint looks great lasts a long time. 

Before deciding to paint, you need to evaluate the cabinets.  Painting them will not hide real flaws.  If the doors are warped or severely worn, you might want to consider replacing those.  Check for minor cosmetic repairs, such as chips or scratches.  Make a note of which cabinet doors these are on so that you don't forget about them after you remove the doors. 

Next, you want to choose what type of paint to use.  You can choose between on oil or latex based paint.  You also will want a gloss or semi gloss finish.  These are easier to wipe clean.  Whichever type you choose, pick one that is designed for use in the kitchen area.  These paints are usually treated to be mildew resistant and will hold up to wear and tear better.  The easiest way to paint is to remove the doors from the cabinets and take off all the hardware, including hinges.  Number each door so that you remember which ones go where when you are finished.  You can either do that in an inconspicuous place, or use a 'post it' note. 

Now you need to prepare the cabinet surface for painting.  Do not skip these steps and just apply paint.  Taking the time to prep and prime the cabinets will give you the best looking, long lasting results.  Clean the doors with a TSP cleaner (trisodium phosphate).  This cleaner will remove any dirt and grime and will also etch the surface of the cabinets, which will help the paint to adhere.  Rinse the doors with water to remove all traces of the cleaner.  Next, repair any deep scratches or chips with wood filler.  After the filler dries, sand the cabinets with a 150 grit sand paper.  Run your hands over the surface to make sure the filled areas are smooth. 

Now that the cabinets are ready to meet the brush, carefully check for any stains.  If there is old finish stain or grease spots, these can seep through your paint.  If you have uneven colorations like this, choose a primer that has a stain lock such as Kilz brand.  Use a natural bristle brush to get the smoothest coat.  One coat of primer is all you need.  Doing a light sanding of the primer coat will remove any imperfections. 

After priming, you are now ready for the top coats.  Depending on how dark your color is, one or two coats will be sufficient.  Let each coat dry according to the manufacturer's instructions.  While the paint coats are drying, you can contemplate new hardware for your cabinets or, you could paint the hardware with some sort of metallic finish if you like.  Once the doors are dry, rehang them.  This is when you will be thankful that you marked the doors with numbers!  Install the new hardware and you are ready to enjoy your freshly updated kitchen!