Legacy Painting
5 Tips for Painting Cabinets
Painting kitchen cabinets can be a great way to breathe new life into the most used room in your home, but it’s not an ideal pursuit for the novice DIYer. Enthusiasm can’t make up for the preparation — and patience — it takes to get the job done right.
We called on Kevin Calmes, owner of Legacy Painting, to offer advice for those ready to tackle this often intimidating and taxing home update on their own.
What kind of preparation is involved?
Of course, doors should be removed and all hardware unscrewed and kept safe. Next up: cleaning and sanding. Sanding will remove gloss and dull the cabinet’s finish so primer can adhere. Then use a trisodium phosphate (TSP) cleaner to remove grease and other residue.
What kind of primer works best?
Looking to save money? Primer isn’t the place to skimp. Price is a good indicator of quality where primer is concerned, so grab the best primer you can find. Oil-based isn’t necessary. In fact, a quality, multi-surface waterborne primer will do the trick.
What do I need to know about buying paint?
If you’re looking to sell your home, a high-end paint weighing in around $80 a gallon is unnecessary. But, if you’re looking to enjoy your updated cabinetry, invest in paint that will look great and withstand years of use. Head to a store dedicated to paint, like Sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore, where experts can answer questions. Seek out water-based urethane paints that adhere well to primer, leaving you with a durable final coat that doesn’t yellow with age.
How should I approach painting the cabinets?
When it comes to the paint job, leave the paint sprayers to the professionals. While that equipment accomplishes a uniform finish, the learning curve for a newcomer is substantial. Stick to a brush for the trim and Whizz roller to eliminate brush strokes.
What’s my time commitment?
It might take three experts with paint sprayers 120-140 hours total in five days to tackle an average-size kitchen. Diving into this DIY project could cost a homeowner much of their free time until it’s finished. That’s nearly a month without functioning cabinets and disarray within the home, all while working meticulously on one project alone.
Cabinet projects aren’t for everyone, so you’re a do-it-yourselfer in doubt, you can always rely on Legacy Painting professionals to speed up the process and take the frustration out of this demanding yet rewarding home update.
LEGACY PAINTING
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405-286-5163
