Cabinet Painting Sacramento is a great way to upgrade the look of your kitchen. But it isn’t always easy. Many DIY projects go awry, and amateur work often has subpar results. Professional services offer consistent outcomes and can help you add value to your home.
For cabinet paints, choose a high-quality oil-based alkyd or water-based latex that’s moisture and stain-resistant. You’ll also want to use a deglosser and sand between coats for smooth finishes.
Before any coating can be applied, the surface must be properly prepared. This step ensures that the new coat will adhere and provide a durable finish. It is very common for homeowners to attempt this project themselves, but it takes years of practice to be able to achieve a professional quality finish that will last for many years. In fact, about 20-25% of calls received by professional industrial coatings companies are for problems related to poor surface preparation.
The surface must be cleaned and degreased using a solvent such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, or d-limonene. It must also be sanded or ground to create an even surface and roughen it slightly, which helps the primer and paint adhere. This is done by hand or using power tools, such as a handheld or walk-behind grinder with a variety of grinding discs. This is the most time consuming part of the process, but is necessary to ensure that all areas are free of contaminants and are smooth.
A final step in this preparation is sanding with a range of grits from 100-150 grit, followed by a light scrubbing with a degreaser or cleaner to remove all the dirt that has been loosened by the sanding. All areas should then be wiped down with a damp rag or cloth to remove any remaining dust.
After all surfaces are clean and sanded, they should be primed with a commercial oil-based primer. This undercoat is vital to the longevity of the cabinet painting job, as it provides a strong bond to the existing coatings and seals in any stain or polyurethane finish. A good quality primer will also help to protect the wood and reduce future moisture stains.
It is important that the surface is allowed to dry thoroughly before painting. Moisture trapped under wet coatings can cause flash corrosion. This is a very severe problem that can affect the integrity of the coating and could lead to holes in the finished product. Several factors influence the drying time of coatings, including environmental conditions and temperature.
Primer
Painting cabinet doors and drawers is a significant home improvement project that can have a big impact on your kitchen. It can also raise your home value significantly if done well. The key to getting a beautiful, long-lasting finish is good surface prep and proper priming. If you skip this step, your paint job may fail within a year or two, leaving your kitchen cabinets looking worse than they did when they were originally painted.
Cabinets see a lot of wear and tear, from opening and closing, spills, and moisture changes. This can lead to dings and scratches. Even if you sand the cabinet surfaces to smooth them, there is still likely to be some minor surface damage. Primer fills in these small imperfections, creating a smooth base for your final coat of paint.
The best primer for painting cabinets is an oil-based product that dries hard and prevents stains from bleeding through the new paint. We use KILZ 3 premium primer for its adhesion and mildew-resistance, both important in a damp area like the kitchen.
Before you apply the primer, you must clean the cabinet surfaces thoroughly to remove dirt and grease. Grease and oils will seep through a topcoat of paint, causing it to peel, chip, or crack early. We usually use degreasers such as trisodium phosphate (TSP) or liquid deglosser to make the surfaces clean and ready for priming.
After the cabinet surfaces are dry, sand them lightly with medium-grit sandpaper. This is especially necessary for the areas above the stove and sink, which tend to have the most grease on them. If you have a power sander, this is much faster and more effective than sanding manually.
Once you’ve sanded the surfaces, vacuum them to remove any dust and wipe them down with a damp cloth to be sure they are clean and debris-free. Then, let the primer dry completely for 24 hours. When the primer is completely dry, sand it again with very fine grit sandpaper. This will smooth the surfaces so your next coat of paint goes on smoothly.
Paint
Cabinet painting is not the same as wall paint, and it takes a lot of practice to get right. It is one of the most challenging DIY projects homeowners can undertake. This is why it is a good idea to hire a professional.
It’s important to choose the right color and finish for your cabinets, as this will have a big impact on their appearance. There are several options available, including flat, eggshell, semi-gloss, and gloss. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s best to consult an expert before deciding.
Another factor to consider is the type of paint used. It’s essential to use a high-quality oil-based or alkyd paint. These are more durable than regular wall paints and will last much longer. You’ll want to avoid water-based paints, as they are more likely to smudge and yellow over time.
Choosing the right primer is also crucial. You’ll need a quality Cabinets primer, and it should be tinted to match your desired color. We recommend a Zinsser all-surface primer. Cabinets primer is thicker than wall paint, and it can take a while to dry. It’s worth the wait, though, as it will help your paint job last longer.
After priming, you can begin painting! It’s a good idea to apply at least two coats of paint. This will help protect your cabinets and make them look better. Ensure that the first coat dries completely before applying the second. It’s also a good idea to wait at least two weeks between coats.
When you’re done, you can reinstall your cabinet doors and drawers. If you removed the hardware, be sure to label it so that you can reattach it correctly. It’s a great feeling to see your new cabinet paint come to life!
Painting your cabinets can be a challenging project, but it’s definitely worth the effort. It can have a huge impact on your kitchen’s look and feel, and it’s a great way to add value to your home. However, it’s important to remember that a bad paint job can make your kitchen look worse than it did before.
Finish
Once the cabinet painting is complete, it’s time to add a protective finish. A polyurethane is a good choice, as it will keep the paint from chipping and staining over time. There are many options to choose from, but we recommend a **water-based** polyurethane specifically formulated for painted surfaces. It dries clear and won’t yellow over time. Look for a spray option or use a synthetic brush or foam roller for an ultra-smooth finish.
For a quick upgrade to your kitchen, you can also replace the hardware. This small change can make a big impact on the overall look of your kitchen. To create a cohesive look, you can match the color of the new hardware with your newly-painted cabinets.
When choosing a paint, look for a product designed to meet the challenges of the kitchen environment. N-Hance primers, paints and topcoats are formulated to resist damage from cooking oils, grease, moisture and high heat to ensure that your finish holds up over time.
Before you begin the cabinet painting process, you should thoroughly clean the surfaces. Especially those located above the stove or sink, as these can accumulate the most dirt and debris. If your surface is particularly dirty, you may need to strip the old paint to scuff it up and prepare for a smooth coat of primer and paint. Stripping is a messy and time-consuming task, so we recommend trying to avoid it as much as possible.
Then, sand the entire surface with medium grit sandpaper and a palm sander. This will remove any glossy lacquer that is on the surface, and it will also help to ensure a smooth finish when you paint. If you prefer not to strip, you can also use a deglosser or liquid deglosser to clean the surface and get it ready for primer and paint.
After all of the surfaces have been cleaned and sanded, you can begin the painting process. Use a roller for the majority of the surfaces, and use a smaller brush for the corners and other hard-to-reach areas. Be sure to apply even coats of paint and let the previous layer dry completely before applying another. It’s also important to overlap the edges of your paint coats before they dry, to prevent lines and lap marks.