Painting Kitchen Cabinets
| July 11, 2011 | Posted by Jessie under Before and After, Kitchen, Paint |
You can read 10 different blogs on how to paint kitchen cabinets and you will probably read 10 different tutorials. Water or oil based? Brush or roll? Sand or not sand? I think it’s all up to you. I’ll give you the steps on how I did mine and reasons why I made the choices I did, but I honestly think you can do whatever you want.
Step 1: take cabinets off. I’ve read on many different tutorials that you should take off your doors and label them so you know where to put them back. I didn’t do this. I painted one wall at a time {because I didn’t have room to do it all at once, and frankly, I work better when I have small victories along the way} so as I took them off, I laid them out in the garage on my drop cloth in the same order they go back up.
This made it easy to take down and put back up and eliminated the step of labeling everything.
Next, I lightly sanded all the doors.
This is a personal choice. I wanted to get rid of the graininess of the doors so I sanded it down a little. Personal preference.
I did paint the fronts and backs of the doors but I only sanded the fronts because the backs did not have the graininess on them.
Step 3: paint. I simplified here. I used Behr’s paint and primer-in-one in Pot o’ Cream. Isn’t that the perfect name for a kitchen color? Anyway, this eliminated the priming step and saved some money by not having to buy the primer. $30 for the whole kitchen! Pretty good, huh? I rolled most of the doors but had to brush in the creases. Tip: even though Pudge looks cute hanging out with me while I did this…
And was a great watch dog for all those pesky people walking by…
I wouldn’t recommend painting cabinets with your dog because he might just do this…
Seriously? I was literally painting the door as he walked right over it like I wasn’t even there. That’s my puppy.
Anyway, here they were after one coat:
And after the 2nd coat:
I did a third touch-up coat on all the cabinets as well so three coats total. As the doors were drying, I painted the cabinet fronts of the same wall. See the insides of my cabinets? I left those as-is. The inside is very light and pretty so I didn’t feel the need to paint them white also {once again, personal preference}.
I took the same steps with the fronts as I did with the doors. I lightly sanded them by hand and then painted three coats all over. For the drawers, I just pulled them out and painted the fronts by sitting them on the cabinets. Here they are all pretty and white and done.
I think it took me about 12 hours total but it was worth every minute. Pick a nice few days, sit outside with your cabinets and radio, and paint away. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. And if you thought the cabinets were good before, they are even better with our new counters:)
Next up on the kitchen how to’s: subway tile backsplash. I also have some fun accessory tutorials to share later this week so make sure you come back and see it all!
I’m kind of curious about how you attached the beadboard to the sides of the cabinets. We’re looking to do a very similar redo and was excited to see how you used the beadboard.
We bought tongue and groove beadboard {2 packages} for the cabinets. Mike cut them to size and then we attached them with liquid nails. Then we nailed them on all 4 corners for extra strength. We also bought some trim to put on the tops and bottoms of the beadboard which covered the nails. Good luck with your redo!
~Jessie
They look great! I love the color you picked, not too stark.
My dogs do the same thing! lol They managed to step on the ceiling medallion for the dining room and the crown moulding in one day.
They look just great! I would love to paint my cabinets someday too and it is nice to know what all will be involved! Can I borrow your faithful watch dog? He seems to be such a good helper; lol!!
Looks GREAT! Our cabinets look almost exactly like this, same color & woodgrain but the profile is square and not arched. Anyways, this post is PERFECT timing as we have been hesitant about painting since we couldn’t find any pics of cabinets with the pronounced grain like yours. It looks like the grain isn’t an issue at all when painted over.
Perhaps I misread, but did you removed the entire cabinet from the wall or just the doors? Also, did you paint after the counter or before the counter?
I just removed the doors from the cabinets. I painted the fronts of the cabinets in place. I painted the cabinets before we did the counters but you could probably just cover the counters if you aren’t putting in new counters. Good luck with yours!
I’ve been wanting to do this FOREVER. I’m curious though, do you have a lot of grain showing through from the oak? Thats why I’m hesitant to do my kitchen.
Hi Amy!
We did not have a lot of grain showing through. I lightly sanded it to start and it helped with that. In certain lights you can vaguely see some grains but not enough to bother me:)
Thanks for posting this! (And thanks to Apartment Therapy for bringing it to my attention). We’re moving in a couple of months and I have been contemplating painting the kitchen white so this is a good starting point for how to do it!
Will you come over and do my kitchen cabinets now!!!!!!!! Actually, I am going to attempt to do our bathroom cabinets, so come on over and help!
Good luck, Deana! If you need an extra hand, let me know:)
Looks very nice. Did you add a polyurethane for cleaning?
Thanks, Connie! I didn’t apply a poly and honestly still haven’t decided if I’m going to. Because of the semi-gloss finish I used, it wipes clean pretty well. I do have some poly sitting around though so I may do it some day!
My paint guy said it is best to NOT use poly on painted cabinets. Sometimes it yellows and can actually cause pull off. He said just use a good paint with the right sheen. He was right. I did my bathroom cabinets two years ago and i dont have one chip.
I read/heard somewhere that when painting in the kitchen it’s best to use satin finish because it’s highly cleanable. I want to say I heard it on “This Old House”. Has anyone else heard this or know first hand?
Not sure if this was asked…but did u use latex or oil base?
I just used latex, although I’ve heard others suggest oil based suggested also. We haven’t had any problems with chipping, scratching, etc. Hope that helps!
What were these cabinets made of? I have laminate type cabinets and I was told there was no way I could paint them…but these look the same as mine? Are they real wood? Just wondering! Thanks!
If you paint them first with Kilz brand oil base primer, then you can paint over them with latex paint. Works great.
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did our cabinets about 10 years ago..painted them a off white, now I wish I had left them like they were as they look terrible…would be a job to get those 3 coats of paint off and redo them….
You did a wonderful job on your cabinets! They look so fresh and clean. You make it look so easy. I would love to try this on my oak cabinets. Maybe one day…
Sherry @ A Happy Valentine
I want a dog like Pudge! What kind is he? Sooo cute!
He’s a goldendoodle…we kinda love him:)
My cabinets are already painted white and 9 years old. Now the edges are wearing through to the wood due to repeated cleaning. To repaint them, should I follow the same steps you used? Should I lightly sand the edges only before painting? I don’t know if they are latex or oil based? Can I go ahead and use latex?
What size roller did you use? and did the paint come out smooth and not bumpy with the roller? vs painting via aerosol style?
Thanks so much!!
So I just did the same project - but I noticed they are hard to keep clean - did you put a clear layer of paint to avoid chipping when cleaning?
I haven’t really had any problems with paint chipping. I have been able to wipe mine down pretty easily. You could probably put a clear coat of poly over top to help with the chipping. It would give it an extra coat of defense:) Sorry I’m not much help!
They look great! Thanks for the info!
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If you are planning to use a poly or sealer for extra protection please use a latex poly like Minwax poly. I used the oilbased and now they have a yellow tinge. Latex does not yellow. So, now I need to repaint and reseal with the latex.
I love how your cabinets came out. I have the same oak cabinets and HATE them! Have thought of painting them but have been very hesitant. Your posting might be just the inspiration and motivation I need. Thanks! Enjoy your new kitchen!
Hi there, Your kitchen cabinets look great. It’s been about a year since you painted and I’m wondering how they’re are holding up? We’re painting my daughter’s cabinets this weekend and are considering using the Rustoleum Cabinet Transformation kit. That would cost more than your gallon or so of paint, but I’d gladly pay the difference if it means the finish will hold up better.
Thanks!
Hi Sue!
They are holding up great! I haven’t any issues with chipping or peeling or anything. They still look just as fresh as they did a year ago and wipe down very easily!
Jessie
Thanks so much for your reply! I’ve made several new cabinets to fill in the spaces in her old, old, tiny kitchen. Those, hopefully, will go up tomorrow and then the painting can begin. I’m hoping that they have a “brand new” kitchen to enjoy soon!
Very exciting!!! Good luck!
I have these yucky oak cabinets and want to paint them white. I cleaned all the cabinets with STP, then used a deglosser, then lightly sanded. I did a sample on the inside of one of my cabinets and it really hasn’t covered well.
Any thoughts?
Wow, I love this! Always wanted to do it and I will now. Thanks for the inspiration. p.s. I love your dog, too!
There is actually an additive for paint that makes the paint smooth itself out and have a perfect finish after you paint. A professional painter told me about it, any paint store will have it. Then you wont have brush marks. Just a suggestion
Favorite painting tutorial yet!
Did you just do 3 coats of Behr’s paint and primer-in-one in Pot o’ Cream?? Did you have to put anything on top of it after the 3 coats? Thanks!! They look beautiful!
Yes, just the three coats and I didn’t put any top coats on them.
I have one more question…if you were to do this again is there anything you would have done differently? Are they holding up good as far as chipping goes?? Thanks so much!! I am getting ready to do my kitchen. Love this tutorial!!
I probably just would have been more precise in some areas. I had a couple of drip marks that I have since gone back and sanded off and reapinted in that area. We haven’t had any chipping, staining, scratching, etc. Good luck with your kitchen!
Wow! Your kitchen looks stunning! I have those laminate kind cabs and I’m not sure if I can ever repaint them.. Any advice?
So I saw this and want to do this to my cabinets. Mine are the original 1964 flat front stained wood cabinets.How do you suggest I start this project. I was this to be as easy as possible but, want results that will give us a couple of years use and look desent in the process. Should I degloss or completely sand before I start. I’m afraid the paint won’t adhere to them the way they are. Please help…
I would sand to rough them up. They don’t need to be completely bare, but sand them so the shiny surface is roughed up for the paint to adhere. Good luck!
DId you use Satin,Eggshell or Semi Gloss paint?
Thanks
I used a satin finish, but you can use a semi-gloss or high gloss also. Just depends on what finish you want. The shinier, the easier it is to clean!
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What type sand paper did you use? By hand or machine to sand and how much pressure to use?
Love the look of painted cabinets. I found lots of great cabinet hardware choices at Look in the Attic & Company!
http://www.lookintheattic.com
Love this! My kitchen cabinets are on my to do list this summer.
I just found your post on Pinterest and I love the way you broke down the areas and made it not so overwhelming! Have put off painting mine for two years because I was intimidated and burnt out on projects….
Since it has been a while since you have painted, how are they holding up?
Again, thank you they look great!
Your cabinets look great! I’m definitely going to try this! One question - after you sanded, did you wipe the dust off before painting? And if so, what did you use? I’ve seen mineral spirits used on other websites. Thanks!
Did you paint both sides of the doors or just the outside?
I painted both.
What about the drawers. You rarely find postings about painting the drawer fronts. Did you remove completely? How many hours total did this take you? I’m nervous about time commitment with a toddler in my life!
I just did the faces of the drawers. I did it over the course of a couple days. I would suggest doing a section at a time-it makes it less daunting:)