Kitchen cabinets - anyone painted theirs?

[DebMcDonald]

I painted ours several years ago. We had stained wood and I chose to go with white. I numbered all the doors, removed all the doors, sanded them all down, primed them, and then put on two coats of the final product. I think I went with a latex and it was a high gloss, which someone told me I would regret and I did not at all. They really really came out nice, it was a couple week project, but it was well worth it and completely changed the look of my kitchen. I did not change the hinges because I didn't know how, but I did change all the knobs and handles.

I didn't mention that I used a roller and not a brush.

 

[John Smith1]

I own a small paint company and fill requests to paint cabinets (now more than ever due to cost of replacement). If you follow these steps you should be ok.

1. spend the money on good tools.
2. use a high quality bonding/stainkill primer.
3. if at all possible use an oil base paint (yes it smells bad and takes a long time to dry but the difference compared to a latex paint is immeasurable!
4. apply paint in controlled THIN coats. (may take three)
5. sand lightly between coats with a high grit sand paper (180, 200)
6. patience will pay in spades.

Excellent points!

I've painted about 6 kitchens in the past ten years (doing my sister's next week) and agree with everything he said. The primer is essential!

Also make sure when and if you take the doors off the cabinets you mark them to make sure you put them back correctly. Don't ask me why I know...

 

[raysnkaysmom]

Was searching for a kitchen cabinet thread, hoping for pics...lol
but, if anyone has pics they want to share, please do!! I"m looking to paint my cabinets, preferrably a deep red color..

SO, just bumping and subscribing, nice to see the advice

 

[homedad]

when we bought our house in 03 the cabinets were recently painted, do not know how good there prep was but the cabinets need some love, we want to redo the kitchen this year anyway...ps we do have small children that bump into everything

 

[mdsouth]

Thanks for all the replies! They've been great!

One more question, did you paint the inside of the cabinets and the shelves? I'm assuming you would...

We have painted the kitchen cabinets at our previous house and in the house we are currently living. We painted the inside as well as the outside. Well, actually, I painted the inside of the cabinets and my DH painted the outside. He didn't trust my painting technique for the outside where it really mattered how they look.

They extra time and effort it too us to paint the inside really was worth the effort, it really makes the kitchen look new and up to date. In fact, it was our updated kitchen that sold our previous house. We sold it on our own in only eight days for our asking price!

 

[mdsouth]

For the cabinet painters. Did you have any damage to repair first? A small gouge, worn corners, or some wear/damage on the trim attached to the doors? I need to paint mine, maybe this summer. They are WHITE, which is not really practical, but I will use white again. I think I have to use white, as there are panels on the side that show that are formica-ish.

My DH fixed a few minor damaged areas prior to painting. I would have to ask him what he used to fix them though.

 

[irish_trip_mom]

I had posted back in Dec that we were getting an estimate for getting ours painted. Well, they finished today and I cannot say how much I LOVE them!!!!! Our contractor painted and glazed the doors, but they also added end panels to the outsides of the cabinets/island, and crown molding at the top and bottom. It looks beautiful, and there was not a night I was not able to cook a meal for my family (i.e. we were not without a kitchen AT ALL.) I had several quotes over the years, and his work was by far THE BEST for the price. He also built a gorgeous custom island for my neighbor. If someone can tell me how to post before/after pics, I will, or PM me with an email and I'll send them to you.

It just really updated our kitchen. We had an estimate a few years ago to redo our kitchen for $40-50K. I added it up today and we've done a pretty good job of doing it "on the cheap" for $12K (including appliances, granite countertops and backsplash.)

 

[WDWorBUST]

Bringing an old thread to life I see where people mention using "cabinet" paint. I have looked at both Home Depot and Lowes and am not finding "cabinet" paint. Can anyone tell me what is so special about it and where to find it? We have added a couple of new cabinets and rather than try and stain them to match I really would rather paint all our kitchen cabinets.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

Bringing an old thread to life I see where people mention using "cabinet" paint. I have looked at both Home Depot and Lowes and am not finding "cabinet" paint. Can anyone tell me what is so special about it and where to find it? We have added a couple of new cabinets and rather than try and stain them to match I really would rather paint all our kitchen cabinets.

I haven't heard of that....I have just heard to be sure to use a semi-gloss finish...

 

[extremesoccermom]

Glad I found this thread. We have a small galley style kitchen with no windows. We had looked at redoing the kitchen but due to new codes we would need to completely move everything including the stove, sink and fridge. The prices we got for the remodel did not fit our budget at all.
We were going to try and do it ourselves but now we can not really afford that either.
We were going back and forth on whether we should go with white cabinets to lighten up the dark room or whether is would get to dirty with 4 kids and 3 dogs. Now I think I will try painting our old cabinets that way I will know whether I want white or not and I can save up the money to do the kitchen correctly in about 5 years or so.
I do want to take my time and do it right since I will be freecycling or giving the old ones to Habitat for Humanity when we eventually take them out.
Our counter top right now is White but it is very stained and chipped. I am hoping to get new ones at a discount building supply by my house as well as new cabinet hardware.
Since my garden is on autopilot right now this may just have to be my new summer time project Thank you everyone for the practical advise.

 

[WDWorBUST]

My dh painted my kitchen cupboards white as a surprise for me and I really didn't like them at first but they have come to grow on me. The problem he had with ours is that the paint ran. Make sure that you buy cabinet paint and let the dry completely before rehanging the doors. Oh and if you have children do not let them help you paint them or you will have paint everywhere.

If you don't have shiny cabinets and don't need Anchor Bond, you will need to wash them well and give them a light sanding and wipe down for dust before painting.

I agree with making sure you use a cabinet paint too.

Mine were painted white when we first moved in and now 9 years later need a new coat of paint so I've been researching it.

I had never heard of "cabinet paint" before but after seeing two different people mention it I went looking for it. I'm still wanting to do this project, but I want to make sure I do it right. Any additional tips anyone has for someone repainting solid oak cabinets that have been stained and polyurethaned would be much appreciated.

 

[goofyisinphilly]

I am currently painting my kitchen cabinets. Unlike most of you folks I am painting my black. The kitchen is bright yellow with black and white accents. The cabinets don't have any hardware so we are going to add acrylic (looks like crystal) hardware for a retro look.

 

[DisTwix]

I had never heard of "cabinet paint" before but after seeing two different people mention it I went looking for it. I'm still wanting to do this project, but I want to make sure I do it right. Any additional tips anyone has for someone repainting solid oak cabinets that have been stained and polyurethaned would be much appreciated.

There really isn't any such thing as "cabinet paint".... basically, you should use the paint most suitable for your situation.

I've painted out two kitchens, in rentals, and here's what I've learned....

Take the doors off. It's SO much easier and cleaner. One kitchen I painted had been painted before --- over the hinges. I ended up finding hinges at our local Habitat ReUse place that worked (YAY!)....

Painting the inside is the worst part of the job! If the insides are in good shape, and the non-continuity won't bother you, I wouldn't paint them. This is the place that really gets the most wear and tear, and it's just a pain. If you DO have to do it, use those little foam rollers - brushing in the really tights spots.

If you have one, or can rent one, get a sprayer for the doors. This is what will give t hem a super-professional finish. Use the little roller for everything else, brushing the really tight spots.

As for paint - if you can't use oil (the fumes absolutely kill me), it's imperative to use a decent acrylic enamel (latex)--- minimum of semi-gloss. This will ensure the cleanability of the finish and will have it lasting longer.

Sand anything that shines, prime well and like others have said --- PATIENCE. It's not a job that you can rush.


ALSO --- for hardware, I've had GREAT luck on ebay getting knobs/handles for a fraction the cost. It's been a great resource for that stuff. Also, if you are truly broke, you can repaint hardware. Use a good spraypaint - mount the hardware to stiff cardboard and spray the heck outta them. Thin coats.

Good luck!