How to Repaint Kitchen Cupboards

If you want to change the look of your kitchen cupboards, try repainting them. It is an easy and inexpensive way to revitalize your kitchen. Repainting kitchen cupboards is much less expensive than replacing them with new cupboards and will provide your kitchen with a modern, updated look. If you follow some simple guidelines, painting your cupboards is a project you can accomplish in just one or two days.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ladder
• Drop cloths or old sheets
• Sponges
• Scouring pads
• Rags
• Bucket
• Ammonia
• Fine-grade sandpaper
• Brush
• Paint primer
• Latex paint
• Screw driver
• Painter's tape

1. Clean the cupboards. Use a screwdriver to remove all of the hardware from the cupboards and drawers, including hinges and door and drawer pulls. Remove the cabinet doors. Use a heavy-duty cleaner such as ammonia to clean the cabinets. Apply with a soft cotton cloth, rinse and let dry.

2. After the cupboard doors and drawer fronts have dried, sand them lightly with fine-grade sandpaper. Wipe off the surface; remove any dust with a clean, dry cloth.

3. Tape off any areas near the kitchen cupboards that you do not want to paint. This can include walls, trim or the ceiling. Apply a white primer to cover the entire surface of the cabinets. This includes painting the back portion of the cabinets, as well as those surfaces you have removed, including the drawer fronts and doors. A water-based primer is recommended, as you can paint over it easily with latex paint. Allow to dry completely before the next step.

4. Apply the latex paint over the primer using a synthetic 2-inch to 3-inch brush. Let this first coat dry completely, then lightly sand with fine-grade sandpaper to rough up the surface a bit. Remove excess dust and debris with a clean cloth. Apply a second coat of latex paint and let dry thoroughly. You can add another coat of paint if desired; however, it is not necessary if you have used a good primer.

5. Once all surfaces have dried completely, remove all traces of painter's tape and re-attach the hardware, putting the cupboard door fronts and drawer fronts back in place.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you paint in a well-ventilated area: it might be most convenient to do the bulk of this project in a garage or carport.

[tamby2112]

on 11/17/2009 I am saving this for when I am ready to paint mine! Tanks for all of the great tips!

[amysmarts]

on 10/12/2009 Great article on how to repaint kitchen cupboards. This is all great advice, and I will have to keep this in mind. Thanks.