How to Repaint Apartment Kitchen Cupboards
In an apartment, you may not want to replace or be able to replace the kitchen cupboards, but with some imagination and paint you can turn your old cupboards into a beautiful new place to store your cups and dishes. The cost and process aren't prohibitive, and the results will be a brand-new look to your still usable cupboard space. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Liquid deglosser (optional)
- Sandpaper (optional)
- Painter's tape
- Paintbrushes and rollers
- Primer (optional)
- Acrylic enamel paint (your choice of color)
Instructions
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1
Extract each drawer from the kitchen cupboards and the hardware that held them in place such as screws, nails, clips and glide bars. Remove all knobs from the drawers before proceeding.
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2
Obtain a liquid deglosser that will clean and remove grease from the cupboards and drawers. The deglosser will leave a nice surface for the new paint to grab when repainting. In order for the paint to stick, the cupboards and drawers must be clear of all grease residue.
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3
Fill in scratches and holes with filler or joint compound and lightly sand before painting.
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4
Scrape fine-grade sandpaper, usually 120 grit, around the entire surface of the cupboards and drawers. This will give the paint a bonding surface to cling to when painted.
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5
Protect sections of the cupboards or other appliances by placing masking or painter's tape on or around stoves, refrigerators or items you want to protect from paint splatter.
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6
Experiment with paint in a small inconspicuous place in the cupboard to see if the paint will stick to the cupboard properly. If the paint does not bond you may need to use painting primer to ensure proper coating. Primer is applied the same way that paint is and is applied before the paint.
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Start the painting process by using a mini-roller or small brush to paint into each corner of the cupboards. From the corners you can paint the flat surfaces with the mini-roller to give a level coverage with the paint. Use a full-sized roller for the cupboard doors.
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You can paint the drawers and inside and outside cupboard frames with a small brush for corners and edges and a standard hand brush for the interior and exterior. Paint an extra coat if needed once first coat dries.
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Tips & Warnings
Remember to use dropcloths in your work area to minimize excess paint splatter and drops. Rags help with immediate accidents such as splashes that can be wiped clean.
Failing to receive permission from the landlord or complex manager to repaint the cupboards can lead to eviction and/or loss of all security deposit refunds. Please read your tenant lease agreement before consulting the lessor or management.
