How to Paint Over Stained Kitchen Cabinets

If you are thinking about redoing your kitchen, but have qualms about the cost, here is a way to save a lot of money and still get the kitchen of your dreams. Rather than purchasing or building brand new kitchen cabinets, give the ones you have a face lift. With a few simple steps and a lot of determination, you can save thousands of dollars and update the overall look of your kitchen.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fine gauge sandpaper Paint Paintbrush Roller Cleaning supplies Painters tape Wood putty

1. Wash the fronts of all your kitchen cabinetry using a soap and water solution or an all-purpose cleaning product like Mr. Clean or Pine-Sol. Use hot water as it will help eliminate greasy build up that is typically found on stained kitchen cabinets. Allow the cabinets to dry. Remove all of the cabinetry hardware and place in a bucket of soapy water to be cleaned later.

2. Fill any cracks or dings in the wood with wood putty. Allow the putty to dry. Tape off the edges of the cabinetry that are adjacent to areas you don't want painted. Painter's tape is available in hardware and department stores and works better for this purpose than masking tape.

3. 
    
   Painted kitchen cabinets

   Sand the kitchen cabinets using a fine gauge sandpaper. Areas with staining will require a little extra sanding. Remove all of the residue from sanding with a clean paint brush. Wipe down the cabinets with a clean damp cloth and allow to dry.

4. Paint the surface of the cabinetry with a coat of primer. Allow to dry thoroughly. Depending on the extent of the staining, a second coat of primer may be necessary. Be sure to allow each coat to dry before applying another. Paint over the completely dry coat or coats of primer with a semi-gloss or glossy finish paint. Allow the first coat to dry before applying the second coat. Apply the second coat and allow it to dry overnight.

5. Scrub the cabinet hardware using an old toothbrush and soapy water, or an all-purpose cleaner. When it is dried thoroughly, replace the hardware and reinstall the cabinet doors. Treat your newly painted kitchen cabinets like you would any cabinetry. Semi-gloss or glossy paint will allow for easy wiping up of food, fingerprints or kitchen dirt like grease and food splatters.

Resources

• This Old House for more information about cabinetry