1. Set Aside the Time
Painting your cabinets will take time. Remember you will need to:
- buy the materials
- remove the hardware
- take off the doors
- degloss the cabinets
- empty cabinets and drawers
- paint both sides of each cabinet door
- paint all the cabinet boxes.
Many people have a hard time painting their cabinets in less than three or four days.
Unless your kitchen is very small, set aside at least three full days to work on nothing but cabinets. In addition, get help from multiple family members or friends. If no one can help you, this process will likely take much longer.
2. Plan Ahead Before Painting Your Cabinets
Painting cabinets typically requires you to remove the dishes and some of the food, which can make cooking in a kitchen when the cabinets are being painted difficult. Plan meals ahead of time to reduce stress and make the process easier. Buy food for sandwiches, make and freeze casserole dishes in advance, purchase frozen pizzas, or plan to eat takeout.
If you don’t have some at home already, purchase paper plates, disposable silverware, and disposable cups. This will save you the trouble of doing dishes at a time when your cabinets shouldn’t be exposed to water splatters from the sink.
3. Buy Your Materials for Painting Your Cabinets
Have all of the needed materials on hand before starting work. In addition to the paint, some other important materials include:
- Deglosser. This is a product designed to rough up the finish on existing cabinets so the paint will adhere properly.
- Garbage bags. Garbage bags are helpful for covering the contents of a drawer or cabinet that hasn’t been emptied fully.
- Painter’s tape. This can be attached to edges near where you’ll be painting, to protect it from paint splatters.
- Tarp. You’ll need a lot of these because your cabinet doors will need someplace to lay out and dry.
- Primer. Primer goes on the cabinets before paint to ensure the paint bonds properly with the cabinets.
In addition to the above materials, you’ll also need a table to set the drawers on while they’re being painted. If you don’t have a long rectangular table to use at home, purchase a long card table for this purpose.
4. Make Room for Drying Cabinet Doors
Before you start painting your cabinets, clear a few rooms that you don’t need to use for the next few days. This is where your cabinet drawers will dry while the project is taking place.
The drawers can also dry in a garage. If you wish to leave the doors and drawers to dry in your garage, take note of the temperature in the garage. Paint and primer will not dry properly in a room that is very cold or very hot, so plan accordingly.
If you have children or pets, clear a space in a room where your children and pets will not be spending time. Even a little poke, scratch or a stray hair that falls in the paint can mar the surface of your doors and drawers, making a lot more work for you.
Work with a Professional Painter
If you’re not up to the task of painting your cabinets, contact a painting contractor. A good painting contractor can paint your cabinets quickly and beautifully. At Rick’s Painting and Pressure Cleaning, we’re happy to answer any questions you might have about painting your cabinets. Call us today for more information.
