Kitchen cabinet painting is one of the most expensive remodeling projects in a home. This is because they take up more space than your average refrigerator or sink and because they often need to support more weight than other areas of the home. Before you plan on painting your cabinets, it’s essential to get them out of storage so you can measure them and get a quote.
You may also be able to negotiate a discount if you ask for values based on specific criteria such as finish and color. Most cabinet paint jobs are made from high-quality paint that requires little or no maintenance after it dries. However, if you are hoping for a uniform look, you may have to opt for a different type of paint. For example, a kitchen cabinet coat could be made from a polyurethane laminate that requires painting and will require you to apply a primer before painting.
Other cabinet finishes such as stain and gloss have to be touched up after painting. However, you do not have to scrape and clean the doors after they dry. A professional painting company will offer door and window hangers, hinges, drawer fronts, door handles, and door trim. They may even come with a special applicator brush designed to clean your kitchen cabinets without damaging the finish.
Even with the help of a professional painter, you can still customize the look of your new cabinets by choosing new hinges, handles, and drawer fronts. Some hardware stores sell generic handles at a meager cost, and you can match them with glass or wood knobs. This allows you to save money on painting cabinets while still creating a custom look.
To give your painted cabinets a polished look, you can opt for an epoxy primer before painting them. Epoxy paints provide a high-gloss, durable finish that will help protect your painted cabinets from fingerprints. Before applying the primer:
- Clean your painted cabinets using a soft-bristled brush.
- Prepare the paint by heating the color in a small bowl until it is just starting to expand.
- Apply the primer to painted cabinets by dipping the brush into the paint and wiping the excess off the edges of the bowl.
If any repairs are necessary to the cabinets, such as pulls or hinges, you can make those changes while painting. Apply rough sandpaper to your sanded surfaces before applying the stain. Wipe the sandpaper across the surface to remove rough spots. To make an even more authentic effect, rub the doors and drawer fronts in the same direction to create a smooth, uniform appearance. After sanding, wipe down the doors and drawer fronts with a wet rag to remove any sand residue that may remain. You can then apply the primer and finish the project by painting your kitchen cabinets the color of your choice.
While most painting projects involve using only a single color, some assignments call for a wide variety of colors. If you want to try a more diverse range of colors, consider hiring a painter to do the work. Hiring a professional painter will mean that you’ll likely have better results because skilled painters have the skills and experience to produce a wide variety of colors. The downside is that you’ll probably pay more for the service because more colors are needed, and the painter will be responsible for sanding, polishing, and finishing the project. However, if you’re a DIY type, don’t hesitate to try different painting techniques. It’s sure to be more fun than staring at a computer screen all day trying to replicate every shade of kitchen cabinet paint available.
