The Spruce / Margot Cavin
Few homeowners would turn down an offer for newkitchen cabinets.
But when you consider thehigh cost of purchasing cabinets, rehabbing your existing cabinets begins to look enticing.
Why Use a Paint Sprayer?
The Spruce / Margot Cavin
Preparation
This project requires removing the cabinet doors, as well as the shelves, if possible.
It is difficult to control paint mist, no matter how well you sheet off the kitchen.
Plus, it’s easier to achieve asmooth, drip-free surfaceif you paint on horizontal surfaces.
The Spruce / Margot Cavin
Remove contact paper from shelves.
Begin by unscrewing cabinet doors and removing drawers from the cabinets.
Remove cabinet hardware and hinges on the doors and drawers.
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Place them in plastic bags.
Label the location on each bag with a Sharpie.
If you could remove the cabinet boxes, that’s great.
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If that’s the case, leave the cabinet boxes alone.
You’ll paint them right where they sit.
This might be a large workshop, a garage, or under a covered patio.
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In the kitchen,maskall areas (walls, countertops, flooring, appliances, etc.)
that you do not want to paint with sheet plastic and painter’s tape.
Acloth dropclothworks better for flooring than plastic sheeting because it is not as slippery.
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Tip
The key to a perfectly painted cabinet is preparing the surface.
Because kitchen surfaces are subjected to years of abuse from grease and other residues, they need major cleaning.
Cleaning and sanding your cabinets comprises a large part of this project.
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The goal is to bring down the sheen, not to remove all coatings and paint layers.
Be especially careful withThermofoil-coatedcabinets, as this micro-thin layer will shred off if you sand too hard.
Patch cracks and minor holes withwood putty.
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Sand down the wood putty after it has dried.
Clean the Surfaces
Kitchen cabinets, walls, and other surfaces easily attract grease and grime.
Using TSP can help cut through problem areas with ease.
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Areas near the stove and oven will be especially greasy and need more attention.
Use TSP according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Allow all areas to thoroughly dry.
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Apply Primer
Prepare the primer.
Most latex primers and paints need to bethinned with waterto be used in an HVLP paint sprayer.
Prepare and fill the sprayer according to the manufacturer’s directions for your particular sprayer.
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Move to your spray area.
Turn on a fan to help diffuse the fumes as you spray.
Spray the primer over the surfaces to be painted.
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verify to get paint evenly in the corners as well as the larger expanses.
Give the primer ample time to dry before moving to paint.
Why Prime?
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Priming is essential for cabinets because of the risk of paint peeling.
This gives your paint coating a richer, truer color register.
Use the fan to ventilate the area, just as you did when applying primer.
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Spray the first coat of paint on the cabinet doors.
Move to the cabinet boxes.
Give the boxes and stiles a coat of paint.
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Remember that vertical surfaces are more likely to allow drips, so keep the coats light.
Allow the paint to dry thoroughly, then apply a second coat and a third coat, if necessary.
A paint sprayer transforms paint into tiny particles.
Reassemble the Kitchen Cabinets
Let everything dry thoroughly before replacing the cabinet doors and drawers.
There is the possibility of imprinting finger marks on paint that looks dry but is still moist.
Allow for a full day of drying before you reassemble the kitchen.
Painters and Repairers Education Program.
Yale University School of Medicine.
