Cabinet Painting Sacramento is more than just choosing a color. It’s about what looks good, cleans easily, and lasts.
Before you start painting, it’s important to have all surfaces cleaned thoroughly to remove grease and grime. Greasy surfaces will cause paint to bond unevenly and result in a patchy finish.
We recommend using a degreasing cleaner like trisodium phosphate (TSP). This will ensure that your surface is ready for primer and paint.
Cabinet Painting is a big job, and there are lots of things that can go wrong. It is important to follow proper steps in order to get beautiful, long-lasting results. The best way to start is by properly preparing the surface. Cleaning and degreasing cabinets is a must before any paint or primer is applied. Paint does not bond well with greasy surfaces. Kitchen cabinets located above a stove and under the sink are the most likely to be contaminated with grease and food particles, so these should be cleaned thoroughly. This will help prevent paint failure due to poor adhesion.
It is important to use a good quality degreaser spray and a rag to clean all of the cabinet surfaces to be painted. This will help to remove any grease or oil that may interfere with the adhesion of the primer and the subsequent coats of paint. After the cabinets are cleaned, it is a good idea to sand them to remove any glossy lacquer and create a smooth surface for primer and paint to adhere to. It is also a good idea to repair any holes or imperfections in the cabinet doors and drawer fronts with spackle or wood filler before sanding. After sanding, all of the cabinet surfaces should be deglossed with a solvent like TSP to remove any contaminates and to create a surface that is ready for primer and paint.
Another very important step is to mask off any areas that will not be getting paint, such as countertops, backsplashes, or walls. This will ensure that you do not accidentally get paint where it is not supposed to be. A great tool for this is painter’s tape.
Lastly, it is important to choose the right paint and finish for your cabinets. There are many different types of cabinet paint available, ranging from latex to oil-based. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, so be sure to research each option before making a decision. Oil-based paint offers a superior durability, but it is slower to dry and can be more toxic than latex.
Primer
It’s important to use primer before you apply a top coat of paint for cabinet painting because it helps in many ways. Primer aids adhesion, stain blocking and paint coverage to give you a smooth professional finish that will last longer. It also helps to prevent bleed under the new color and covers imperfections that will show through the final coat of paint.
There are several types of primers to choose from when you’re painting cabinets. For wood and laminate, a water-based latex primer like KILZ 2 All-Purpose Latex Primer is a great choice because it’s low odor, fast drying and works on wood, MDF and more. If your cabinets are stained, Zinsser Cover Stain Oil-Based Primer is ideal because it provides superior stain blocking and adhesion to help prevent tannin bleed through. It’s great for oak and other porous woods and can be tinted to match your new cabinet paint.
Whatever type of primer you’re using, it’s always a good idea to sand it afterward to create a slightly rough surface that helps the paint bond and adhere. Make sure to sand the entire surface of your cabinets, paying special attention to corners, edges and any areas that might have heavy stains or dark pigment. Once the sanding is complete, wipe the cabinets down with a damp cloth to remove any dust or dirt that has accumulated.
It’s recommended to use a high-quality acrylic or polyurethane acrylic primer that’s compatible with your chosen topcoat of paint, whether it’s water-based or oil-based. Choosing the right primer will ensure that your paint job lasts and that it’s resistant to moisture, cooking oils, grease, and heat so it can withstand everyday use. N-Hance offers a wide variety of primers, finishes, and topcoats that are compatible with your cabinet paint.
Many DIYers decide to tint their primers to help them achieve the exact tone of their chosen cabinet paint. However, it’s important to be careful not to add too much, as this can cause the primer to lose its bonding strength and could lead to peeling or flaking paint down the road. If you’re going to tint your primer, try to stick with a shade that is about 50% lighter than the final cabinet color.
Paint
Cabinets need paint designed to produce a rock-hard surface that can resist the slamming of doors and scraping of dishes for years. Regular wall paint, which is typically made of acrylic latex, may work well in other areas of the house, but cabinets need a more durable paint. Oil-based paints provide good adhesion to bare wood, and can withstand the wear and tear of a busy kitchen. But they require more time to dry, and have a strong odor. Water-based latex is a better choice, as it can be applied to wood and other materials with ease and dry faster.
The type of sheen you choose for your cabinet paint is also an important consideration. Sheens range from flat (or matte finishes) to eggshell, satin, semi-gloss finish and gloss. The shinier or glossier the finish, the more durable it is. However, glossier finishes show imperfections more easily and tend to attract dirt, dust and smudges.
A primer is required for painting cabinets as it provides a base coat that bonds with the existing finish and prevents stain bleeding through the new paint. Many different types of primer are available, some of which are better at preventing stains than others.
For best results, the primer should be allowed to dry thoroughly before you begin painting. Then, you can use either a brush or roller to apply the first coat of paint. Let it dry for at least two hours, then apply a second coat. After that, you can start to reinstall your hardware.
There are several paints designed specifically for cabinetry, which offer excellent durability and sheen. Fusion Mineral Paint Ultra Guard, for example, is a top-tier product that is designed to hold up well in high-traffic areas. It dries to a satin finish and comes in a wide variety of colors. Another option is Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel, which is water-based and designed to withstand heavy traffic with minimal odor.
If you decide to spray your cabinetry, make sure to follow all the safety precautions that come with using an airless sprayer. This includes covering the floor and surrounding surfaces with a drop cloth to protect them from paint splatters, as well as opening a window to help circulate the air and minimize odor.
Finish
Unlike traditional paints, our cabinet finishes are formulated to resist damage from cooking oils, grease, moisture, and high heat. This means that your cabinets will look great longer, and they’ll be less likely to chip or degrade over time.
Before you begin painting, it’s important to make sure the area where you’re working is well-ventilated and free from dust and other debris that may get into wet paint. A garage or other clean, sheltered workspace is best. Also, if you’re planning to remove the doors and drawer fronts for easier access, consider emptying the contents of the cabinets so you don’t have to deal with any dust or grime inside.
Once the workspace is prepped, you’ll want to get started with the sanding process. Using a fine-grit sandpaper, you’ll gently roughen up the surface of the cabinet and create a better bond between the new finish and the original coating. This is critical for that flawless, long-lasting finish you’re aiming for.
Next, you’ll want to use a degreaser to wipe down all surfaces to be painted. It’s crucial to get them squeaky clean before you start, as any grease or grime will prevent the paint from adhering properly and could cause premature wear and tear or even peeling.
After sanding and cleaning, you can move on to priming. This is a step that can’t be skipped, and you should always opt for a high-quality primer designed specifically for cabinetry. Primer helps the new finish adhere and cover any stains or discolorations on the original surface.
Once the primer is dry, you can start the actual painting process. The best option for this is a paint sprayer, but if you don’t have one, you can still get an excellent finish with a foam roller. Whatever method you choose, it’s important to apply the paint in thin coats and allow it to dry between coats.
With the right preparation, planning, and quality products, cabinet painting can be a fast, cost-effective way to update your kitchen’s look. However, it’s important to keep in mind that repainting your cabinets will require more frequent touch-ups than refacing would.