Kitchen Cabinet Painting
Why Is Cabinet Painting So Special
The main reason for this is, because one of our most intimate emotional relationships is with family and food. And for most of us, that is carried out in the kitchen areas. This is where we are striving for those sleek, clean looking cabinets that surround the walls. Clean-fresh finishes, with the proper colors will enhance the gathering instinct and make it a enjoyable family pastime.
Preparing the cabinets for painting is a serious job, you have to dismantle the doors, hinges and sand them using sandpaper for best results. After sanding, thoroughly clean the cabinets using a tack cloth and apply a wood conditioner.
Then you can begin priming your kitchen cabinets. Priming is usually done to raise the grain and allow the wood to accept finish coats of either latex or oil based paint. It's also imperative to use on composite materials to enhance the paint adhesion on the faux surfaces of the cabinet.
After priming has been achieved, use a fine sandpaper to sand again (without burning) and clean the dust off with a tack cloth before getting ready to apply paint. One of the most important factors many overlook is to have a dust & bug free environment. Many kitchen cabinet painting projects have been hindered by excess dust floating vicariously though the air or that pesky bug landing in your wet paint finish.
How To Apply Cabinet Paint
Now that we've got the cabinets prepared and positioned to paint, which method should we choose to actually paint our kitchen cabinets? Painting Contractors know, this is another imperative step that takes careful consideration.
Several methods are available to apply the finish coats to the kitchen cabinets. Spraying being the "go to" for the professional painter. Nothing rivals the smooth, sleek spray finish applied by a pro. One aspect is, spraying allows multiple coats to be applied without build up and promotes minimal texture visibility. Under the right conditions, a professional spray finish should be as sooth as glass!
If your not comfortable spraying kitchen cabinets or a paint sprayer is not readily available, there are roller naps especially designed for smooth surfaces. They will apply paint without excess roller stipple or texture if used correctly. Using a high-grade cabinet paint that "lays down" will help here as well.
Keep in mind a few key components will provide a professional edge; several medium coats are always better than trying to load up the cabinets in just 1 or 2 coats, the finish will lay down and pull tighter. It also may allow better drying conditions for your kitchen cabinets. We like to sand/clean lightly between coats if time allows.
Which Paint To Use
Although our favorite cabinet finish to apply is lacquer. This is not always a feasible option either due to costs or other factors. When using an acrylic, we like Cab Coat by Insl-X. This is a Urethane Acrylic resin based product. Insl-X is a trusted brand, well known for one of the best bonding primers out there; Stix.
Benjamin Moore Satin Impervo oil is an old trusted stand by as well. And some have mentioned Sherwin Williams Pro Classic as efficient cabinet paint as well. Whichever finish paint you choose, be sure to take all the necessary steps that get you to the finish point. Preparation is very important.