How to Paint Cabinets in a Bathroom

Painting your own cabinets can save you money.

When redoing a bathroom, you may want to change the color of your cabinets. Paint on cabinets also can become chipped and cracked through the years. Repainting cabinets is a simple way to make your bathroom look nicer. If your cabinets are wood, doing the project yourself is relatively easy and can save you money.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Drop cloth
• Painter's tape
• Trisodium phosphate
• 150-grit open-coat and 220-grit wet/dry sandpaper
• Paint
• Brushes
• Paint rollers

Instructions

1. Remove all of the contents from the cabinets and put them in a safe place.

2. Unscrew the cabinet door hinges and remove the knobs or handles from the cabinets. This will make the cabinets easier to paint and prevent paint from getting on the handles. You may want to keep each set of hinges and handles separate so that you can easily rematch them to the cabinets after you are finished.

3. Set aside the doors and remove any drawers. Each will be easier to paint separately. If there are several similar doors or drawers, note where each belongs by marking or numbering them.

4. Cover the floors, countertop and any other nearby surfaces with a drop cloth to protect them from paint. Use painter's tape along the outside edges of the cabinets to prevent paint from getting on the wall.

5. Clean the surfaces you are going to paint with trisodium phosphate. Once you are finished scrubbing the surfaces down, make sure to wash the chemical off with water.

6. Sand wood cabinets with 150-grit open-coat sandpaper to remove any existing finish they have. Clean up the dust before you start painting.

7. Apply your paint to the cabinet frame, doors and drawers with either a roller or a brush. Using long strokes will yield the cleanest finish. Thoroughly cover the cabinets, but do not apply the paint so thick it runs. Paint the frame first. While that dries, paint the inside of the doors. As the paint on the back side of the doors is drying, paint any drawers. You can then move on to the front sides of the doors. Be sure to cover every angle of the cabinets.

8. Wait several hours for the paint to dry. If a second coat of paint is necessary, sand the wood with 220-grit wet/dry sandpaper and apply a second coat of paint.

9. Reattach the hinges and knobs, reassemble the drawers, and clean up your space. Your cabinets should look neat and finished.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider applying a mildew-resistant primer before you paint.

• Wear rubber gloves, safety goggles and clothing to protect your skin when working with trisodium phosphate.

References

• Home Tips: How to Paint Cabinets
• House Painting Info: How To Paint A Bathroom Vanity Cabinet