How to Get Your Kitchen Wood Cabinets Ready for Painting (June 20, 2009)

Painting your kitchen cabinets can freshen up your kitchen. It's an inexpensive way to revitalize your wood cabinets and introduce new color to the room. But if you don't properly prepare your cabinets, your project may not go smoothly. Take the time to get your kitchen cabinets ready for painting, and your project will likely have a more positive impact on your kitchen.

How to Get Your Kitchen Wood Cabinets Ready for Painting



1. 
   
   Step 1
   
   

   Remove all foods, dish and glassware, and any other items you store in the cabinets. Wipe down the shelves and interior walls with a damp cloth to remove dust and dirt.

   
   
2. 
   
   Step 2
   
   

   Designate a workspace. This space should include an area to store the doors and hardware as you remove them, an area for sanding and an area for priming and painting.

   
   
3. 
   
   Step 3
   
   

   Count the number of doors you need to paint. Create a "tagged bag" for each door. Do this by writing a number on sandwich bags to correspond with each door. Door 1 will have a bag tagged with the No. 1. Door 2 will have a bag with No. 2 written on it and so on. These will be for the hardware and screws.

   
   
4. 
   
   Step 4
   
   

   Start at one end of the bank of cabinets. Remove the first cabinet door. Do this by removing first the bottom screw of the bottom hinge attached to the frame. Remove the bottom screw of the top hinge. Put the screws in the bag marked No. 1.

   
   
5. 
   
   Step 5
   
   

   Remove the top screw from the bottom hinge. Hold the door in place as you remove the top screw from the top hinge to prevent the door from falling. Remove the hinges on the door. Remove the handle and place all the hardware into the bag.

   
   
6. 
   
   Step 6
   
   

   Mark this door with a No. 1 on the side of the door that faces the frame. This ensures that the doors and hardware are installed in the correct order. Mark the interior of the frame with the No. 1 as well. Put the door and bag in the designated storage area.
   
   Repeat the process for each door, marking each one with the subsequent number.

   
   
7. 
   
   Step 7
   
   

   Prepare the cabinet frame for painting. Wipe the frame of your cabinets with a damp cloth. Use a degreaser if needed to clean the surface. Lightly sand the frame with fine grit sandpaper.

   
   
8. 
   
   Step 8
   
   

   Wipe the frame down with a damp cloth to remove dust, and dry with a cotton cloth. Use a small brush to prime the cabinet frame. The primer adds durability to the paint and prevents the paint from "bleeding" into the wood, creating a blotchy effect.

   
   
9. 
   
   Step 9
   
   

   Let the primer dry for 24 hours before painting. Allow the paint to dry for 24 hours before installing the doors.

   
   
10. 
    
    Step 10
    
    

    Proceed to prepare the doors while the primer and then the paint on the frame dries. Clean each door with the cleaning product of your choice. Dry with a cotton cloth.

    
    
11. 
    
    Step 11
    
    

    Move the first door you removed to the sanding area. Lightly sand with a fine grit sand paper. Wipe the door with a slightly damp cloth to remove the dust from sanding. Take the door to the prime and paint area.

    
    
12. 
    
    Step 12
    
    

    Apply a coat of primer. Since you will prime over the penciled number, you need to mark the door again. Use a small piece of painters tape and write the number on it. Stick the painters tape to the side of the door. Let the primer dry for 24 hours.

    
    
13. 
    
    Step 13
    
    

    Remove the piece of painters tape and paint the door with the paint color of your choice. Add a second coat if desired. Continue to identify the door with the piece of painters tape. Repeat for each door.

    
    
14. 
    
    Step 14
    
    

    Reinstall your doors in the same order, starting at the same end as you did to remove the doors.

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