How to Paint Exisiting Bathroom Cabinets
Bathrooms in most homes have a high volume of usage and constant exposure to water, humidity, cleaners and an assortment of personal hygiene, makeup and hair products. Over time, bathroom cabinets begin to show the wear of usage. The surface of the cabinet grows dull or the paint begins to peel. Replacing the cabinet is certainly an option, but not the least expensive. A well-constructed bathroom cabinet can benefit from a makeover. Painting existing bathroom cabinets is an inexpensive way to give an old vanity a new look. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Putty knife
- Fine grit sandpaper
- Electric palm sander
- Damp cloth
- Masking tape
- Primer
- Paint
- Roller or sponge brush
Instructions
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1
Remove the doors and drawers from the cabinets.
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2
Remove all cabinet hardware that is installed on a surface to be painted.
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3
Scrape loose paint off all the cabinet components with a putty knife.
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4
Sand all of the cabinet components with fine-grit sandpaper. An electric palm sander is the most efficient way to sand the cabinets. Make sure the surface is smooth but has no shiny or lacquer-type finishes remaining, or the paint will not adhere as well to the surface.
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5
Wipe the cabinet components with a damp cloth to remove dust from the surface.
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6
Tape the walls, mirrors or other areas surrounding the cabinets with masking tape to protect them from the paint.
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7
Paint the cabinet components with primer developed for use on wood that was previously painted. Your local home improvement store can recommend the best product for the task based on the type of finish initially used on your cabinets. You may need to apply two coats of primer in order to get complete coverage. Allow the primer to dry completely before painting.
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Paint the cabinet components with your choice of paint. Use a roller or sponge brush if you want to avoid visible brush strokes on the finished product. Allow the paint to dry completely, then apply a second coat.
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9
Wait at least 24 hours before installing the hardware on the cabinet doors and drawers, or installing the doors and drawers back on the cabinets.
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Tips & Warnings
Select a paint for bathroom cabinets that is resistant to mold and mildew and easy to wipe clean. Consider changing the vanity hardware for an even bigger remodeling impact.
Always wear safety glasses when using power tools. Wear a mask when sanding and painting to avoid dust and fumes.
