Prep Like a Pro: Essential Steps Before Painting Your Kitchen Cupboards

image 5 1 | Prep Like a Pro: Essential Steps Before Painting Your Kitchen Cupboards | A One Korean Painting

Kitchen cupboards are among the kitchen furniture that we use the most and take up space in the kitchen. If you’re planning to revamp your kitchen and repaint your kitchen cupboards, read this article and learn more!

Admit it, paint jobs can be very messy and time-consuming. Imagine painting parts of your home with children and pets running around or during a time where there are errands and some cooking that you need to do in the kitchen.

That is why it is important to take essential steps before painting your kitchen cupboards. Do it stress-free!

Step One: Get the Kitchen Ready

Clear Everything Out

If you have several kitchen cabinets to paint, you can paint one section or select a few cupboards first. Set the time frame for the paint job and see if you can manage to paint all the cupboards and dry them in time.

Clear out everything that’s in the cupboard to avoid damages to food and interference while you are working.

Safeguard Your Surfaces

Using a newspaper and some tape, shield the areas that do not need painting. Cover nearby furniture, counters and floors. You can use a drop cloth to conveniently shelter bigger areas and some newspapers to protect breakables.

Accordingly, make sure to choose between a roller and a paintbrush. Paint brushes will give you more precision when painting small areas and corners.

Establish a Painting Station

Choose a dedicated painting station before you start.

It will help streamline the procedure and assist you in maintaining organisation. Place a drop cloth on the floor and arrange your paint supplies on a table. Make sure there is adequate lighting and ventilation. To avoid mishaps, store your paints, brushes, rollers, and cleaners close to hand but out of the way of foot traffic.

Step Two: Disassemble Cabinets

Remove and Organise

Take out the shelves, drawers, and cabinet doors first. Gently remove the hinges with a screwdriver or drill. To help you remember where each part goes, mark each piece with a marker and masking tape. You’ll save time when reassembly goes this way. Organise the cabinets according to which ones will be painted with what colour.

Secure and Store Fixtures

After that, take off the pulls, knobs, and other hardware. If you intend to repurpose them, clean them. Otherwise, put them aside if you’re upgrading your hardware. Labelled bags should be used to store these items to avoid confusion or loss.

Step Three: Thorough Cleaning

Eliminate Grease and Grime

Grease and dirt buildup on kitchen cabinets over time needs to be cleaned off before doing the paintwork. To completely clean the surfaces, use a scrubbing pad and a degreasing chemical. After giving them a quick rinse with water, let them air dry.

Detailed Surface Cleaning

Pay close attention to any places where grease accumulates, such as around handles and corners. For detailed work and to get into nooks and crannies, use a tiny brush or an old toothbrush. It’s important to have a clean surface before applying the primer and paint for stronger paint adhesion. So clean every corner and remove even the slightest dirt.

Step Four: Surface Preparation

Apply Deglosser

If the finish on your cabinets is shiny, use a clean rag to apply a deglosser. It will improve the adhesion of the fresh paint. It will also help extend the lifespan of your paint and retain its paint quality. As advised by the manufacturer, wear gloves to safeguard your hands.

Fill Screw Holes

Wood filler should be used to seal any holes left by replacing hardware if the new components don’t fit the original ones. After the filler dries, sand it down to get a flat surface. It ensures you’ll have a smooth painted surface for a clean look and final product.

Sanding for a Smooth Base

Use fine-grit sandpaper to sand the cabinet boxes, doors, and drawers. Wood is not always smooth so an added smoothening and polishing will do wonders to the kitchen cabinet. It’ll also make your paint and primer adhere effectively by smoothing out any rough areas. Dust off the surfaces by wiping them down with a tack cloth.

Step Five: Apply Primer

Down to the fifth step, select a primer that works well with the kind of paint you’ll be utilising and the substance of your cabinets.

There are different kinds of primers to choose from in the market. Ask your local hardware representative for assistance in choosing the appropriate one for your project. Start by priming the backs of the doors and drawers using a brush or roller then allow it to dry.

Step Six: Final Touch-Ups

Smooth Out with Sanding

Sandpaper is the key when you feel like the wood is not smooth or there are areas that need to be evened out. Use fine-grit sandpaper on the surfaces once more after the primer has dried out. It’s a process that’ll produce a smooth base for the final paint job by eliminating any drips or flaws.

Seal and Smooth

Sometimes, when doing some cabinet repairs and replacing the knobs, it leaves some unwanted holes or unflattened areas. For this, seal any joints or spaces, and use spackle or wood filler to cover any residual flaws.

After they are dry, sand these areas smooth. Brush off or use a hair blower to remove unwanted debris once you are done with smoothing and sealing.

Conclusion

Although refinishing cabinets is a meticulous procedure, you could achieve a stunning, long-lasting finish with patience and diligence. Always remember to take your time, and don’t rush the drying processes. Your newly refinished cabinets will give your room a renewed, almost brand-new feel.

Follow this easy step-by-step pro guide on how to paint your kitchen cupboards to ensure you achieve the desired results!

If you require any additional information or need professional assistance, our A One Korean Painting team is at your prompt service wherever you are in Sydney. Call to one of our professional painters today for a FREE project quote!

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