How to Paint & Whitewash Kitchen Cabinets
Let's face it: updating kitchen cabinets can cost a small fortune. In a tough economy, it is it difficult to come up with money for everyday expenses, let alone superfluous cosmetic upgrades. But it is possible to give your kitchen cabinets a fresh new look---inexpensively. A coat of paint and a decorative whitewash can help make the old look new again.
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Things You'll Need
- Degreaser/cleaner
- Water-based interior paint (white)
- Water-based interior paint (accent color of your choice)
- Ziploc bag
- Screwdriver
- Paint brushes
- Rags
- Denatured alcohol
Instructions
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1
Clean the outside surface of your kitchen cabinets with a cleaner that is able to lift dirt, grime and grease. If the cabinets are not clean, the paint will not adhere properly and will begin to peel and chip. Allow the cabinets to dry thoroughly before painting.
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2
Purchase a can of white, water-based interior paint which will be used as a base for the whitewash. Purchase a second can of water-based interior paint to be used as the accent color. You may want to choose an accent color that will enhance other items in the kitchen. Pale shades such as powder blue, mint green and blush work well for whitewashing.
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3
Remove the cabinet doors and all of the hardware. Place the hardware in a Ziploc bag so you will know where it is later on when you want to re-hang the cabinet doors. Place the cabinet doors in an out-of-the-way area such as a workbench or table where they can be painted and left to dry.
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Begin the whitewash process by painting the cabinet bases and the doors with a coat of fresh white paint. Use a clean brush and make sure that the paint is applied evenly. The drying time will depend on the type of paint that you have chosen and the manufacturer. There are some paints that require a full 24 hours to dry, and there are some that dry within two hours. Check the paint label for approximate drying times. Make sure the paint is completely dry before going on the next step.
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Apply a coat of your accent color evenly to the cabinet bases and the doors, just as you applied the white paint. Allow this second layer of paint to dry thoroughly.
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Apply a final coat of white paint. The final coat of white should also be applied evenly, making sure to cover all areas of the cabinet bases and doors so that the accent color does not show through. Wait a full 24 hours before moving on to the next step, just to be sure that all three layers of paint are dry before proceeding.
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Pour some of the denatured alcohol onto a rag and rub the damp cloth over the surface of the cabinet bases and doors. The denatured alcohol will remove some of the white paint and allow the accent color to show through. How much of the accent color you want to show through is up to you. It is completely dependent on how hard you rub and how much of the denatured alcohol you use. Keep rubbing until you get your desired look. When you are finished, re-attach the cabinet doors using the hardware that you have stored away in the Ziploc bag.
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Tips & Warnings
Whitewashing can also be achieved using paint and stain, which can give your kitchen cabinets an antique finish.
Denatured alcohol is highly toxic and can cause serious harm if ingested. Be sure to keep the denatured alcohol, cleaning items and paint out of the reach of children at all times.
