If you’re going to take on a DIY project like this, good for you! But before you do, take these tips and tricks from your friends at HGTV Magazine, so your cabinets end up looking like you paid a professional! (And you don’t end up with a giant mess on your hands.)
DO figure out what kind of kitchen cabinets you have.
Wood and MDF can be painted without much drama. The hardest part is removing the stain or the finish with a deglosser (also known as liquid sander). Plastic laminate cabinets are tougher, sometimes impossible, to paint successfully. Discuss with a paint consultant at a home improvement store before attempting these yourself.
DO take off the cabinet doors, pull out the drawers, and remove the hardware.
But make sure you label everything as you go! It will make reassembly so much faster and easier.
DON’T speed through the cleaning.
Kitchen cabinets are magnets for grease and food splatters. Get rid of gunk with a heavy-duty cleaner like phosphate-free TSP before you prime and paint.
DO consider an alkyd paint.
This specialty paint, popular with pros, is like a hybrid of oil and latex paints: It gives cabinets a super-durable finish that can withstand lots of use — and abuse — dries to a glossy sheen, and is resistant to moisture and humidity.
DON’T think you can rush through this project.
With all the prepping, cleaning and painting, you’ll probably need a minimum of two weekends to finish everything, so plan (and pace yourself) accordingly.
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