Cabinet Painting Sacramento in a kitchen is one of the best ways to upgrade your home, yielding an ROI that surpasses many other projects. However, it’s a complex and time-consuming project that requires careful preparation, high-quality products, and years of practice to get right.
Sanding is essential for a smooth finish. Use medium grit sandpaper and an electric sander.
Preparation
Cabinet Painting isn’t as simple as just brushing on your favorite color. There are a few key things you should do to ensure that the paint you’re using will adhere properly and last.
1. Surface Preparation
Whether you’re installing new cabinets or refinishing existing ones, it is important to prepare the surface of the cabinets before you begin. This includes cleaning the cabinets, sanding and priming. Make sure to use a high-quality primer, such as rust-oleum’s Cabinet Magic or PPG’s Breakthrough. These products are designed to help your paint stick and have a long-lasting life.
2. Sanding
Once your surfaces are clean, sand them down with a sander or by hand. Start with a coarse grit and work your way up to finer sandpaper, making sure that you have gone through the entire wood surface. Then, use a tack cloth to remove any dust.
3. Patch and Repair
If your cabinets have dents, scratches, or holes, fill them in with wood filler and sand until they are smooth. This will give your cabinets a clean finish and will prevent them from chipping or peeling later on.
4. Remove Cabinet Hardware
Before you start painting, remove the hardware from your cabinets and place them in a plastic bag or other container for safekeeping. This will make it much easier to reinstall them when the project is finished. Also, make sure to label each screw or hardware piece so that you know which door or drawer it goes back on.
5. Clean
After sanding, wipe everything down with a tack cloth or lightly damp rag. This will remove any dirt, grease or build up from the surfaces and make it easier to see where you need to do additional sanding or priming.
Primer
A quality primer provides a foundation on which paint can adhere and helps hide imperfections. It can also reduce the amount of paint required for a smooth, even appearance. It can also help prevent peeling and chipping. Choosing the right primer will depend on the condition of your cabinets and your desired outcome.
For example, if your cabinets are in poor condition with deep scratches, pores, or water damage, you’ll need a stain-blocking primer like Zinsser BIN Shellac Primer. This primer can seal stains, prevent them from bleeding into the topcoat, and is compatible with a variety of other finishes. It is also suitable for raw wood and works well with smoke, nicotine, and water stains.
Cabinets are exposed to a lot of wear and tear, so it’s important that the primer you choose is durable. This is especially true if you plan to apply a high-quality latex or oil-based topcoat over the primer. Durability is measured in terms of its ability to stand up to heavy traffic and exposure to the elements.
Besides durability, you’ll want to consider the ease of application and odor levels of the product you’re considering. Water-based primers are popular for their low odor and VOC (volatile organic compound) content, which makes them safer for indoor use. However, they may not be as durable as other types of primers.
There are many different types of paints, primers, and topcoats on the market. Be sure to do your research and consult a professional to make the best decision for your project. You can also ask a professional for advice on the best cabinet painting techniques to achieve the look you’re going for.
The process of painting your cabinetry can be a rewarding DIY project that transforms your kitchen’s look. After completing the cabinet painting, you can reinstall your doors and hardware for a finished look. This can be a time-consuming part of the project, but it’s important to ensure everything is aligned correctly for a smooth, professional finish. To make the job go more smoothly, I recommend using KILZ 3 PREMIUM Cabinetry and Furniture Paint to create a smooth surface that’s easy to clean.
Paint
Cabinet painting is one of the most rewarding DIY projects for your home and it can make a big difference in how your kitchen looks. But picking the right paint makes all the difference in your results. There are many considerations when choosing a cabinet paint like coverage, smoothness, durability and cost.
There are two types of paints for cabinet painting – water-based and oil-based. Oil-based paints are durable, easy to clean and hard to scratch and ding. They also have good gloss levels and settle well for a smooth finish. But they have some drawbacks including long dry times, strong odors and yellowing over time.
In recent years hybrids have come on the market often called alkyd paints that bridge the gap between acrylic and oil-based paint. These paints go on easily like acrylic paint with low VOCs and fast drying times. But they have the durability of oil-based paints and resist chips, dents and scratches better than latex.
When deciding which type of paint to use for your cabinets, think about how they are used and if you need a high-gloss or semi-gloss finish. If you plan to use your cabinets for food prep, a semi-gloss is recommended as it is more resistant to moisture and stains.
Before applying any paint, it’s important to sand the cabinet doors and boxes. Sanding removes glossy lacquer and exposes bare wood to ensure the primer and paint adhere well. Start by scuffing with medium grit sandpaper and then switch to fine grit to get a smooth surface. An electric sander makes this job much faster.
After sanding, wipe down your cabinet surfaces with tack cloths and vacuum again. Primer is essential for cabinet painting as it provides a surface that the paint can stick to, and covers any imperfections on your cabinets. Use an oil-based or latex primer.
When you are ready to begin painting, apply your first coat of cabinet paint with a brush on the trim and roller on the flat areas. Let this coat dry before sanding again with 220 grit.
Finish
A smooth cabinet finish is vital to the overall quality of a finished product. There are many ways to achieve the desired finish for cabinets, including sanding and priming before applying multiple coats of paint. Choosing the right sheen is also important for durability and cleaning. For example, a satin sheen is easy to wipe clean and provides a slightly glossy look for a fresh appearance. The key is to ensure your chosen finish is durable enough for a high traffic area, while still providing a pleasing aesthetic.
The best choice is an interior latex paint that is low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Unlike exterior paints, which are made to withstand the elements, interior latex paints are safe for indoor use and contain less VOCs. They dries to a factory-smooth surface, and can be used with a roller or brush. A sprayer is typically preferred, as it allows for faster application and creates a smoother finish.
To prep the surface for painting, sanding is required to remove any bumps or dents in the wood and smooth the surface. Afterward, a light dusting is recommended to remove any remaining grit from the sanding process. This step is crucial, as it helps the wood “grip” the finishing products better for a long-lasting and uniform result.
Another essential step is priming, which prepares the surface for painting and helps the paint adhere to the cabinetry. There are several types of primers to choose from, based on the type of finish you’re using and your specific needs. For example, an oil-based primer may be needed if you’re using an alkyd paint, and a mildew resistant formula is available for moisture-prone areas like kitchens.
When you hire professional painters, you’ll receive expert results and a durable finish that will stand up to the test of time. However, DIY projects aren’t without their risks, and you could run into problems if the proper steps aren’t taken to prepare your kitchen for painting, such as removing doors, sanding, repairing damage, priming and painting. If you’re ready for a beautiful new kitchen or bathroom, contact the pros at Walla Painting to have your cabinets professionally painted.