A guide on painting kitchen cupboard yourself, any protentional problems you might face and how much it costs to hire a painter and decorator.
This article will detail the work needed to refurbish kitchen cupboards by applying a good layer of paint to freshen them up. This is usually a much cheaper method of making a kitchen look a lot newer and cared for and is an acceptable alternative to spending out on new cupboards.
Below is a list of average prices for professional painting a variety of different kitchen cupboards:
In order to do the best job of this, you will need to clear out the cupboards of all food and equipment, removing the cupboards from the wall, removing all of the knobs, hinges and other hardware, washing and cleaning them thoroughly, preparing the surface if required, and painting the units. You will then need to refit the parts that you removed and fit the units to the wall.
If you are removing the units from the wall, you may want to inspect the condition of the walls and update them as necessary. This is also a great time to change handles and hinges for new or different ones.
You will need to empty everything out of your cupboards reduce weight for when you remove them. You should remove the units from the walls before you consider painting them so first you need to have a look at the units and determine the best way to actually remove them. You may need help to actually remove them as cupboards tend to be both heavy and awkward. You should take this opportunity to remove the doors and other removable parts to lighten the load. Stow these away safely to prevent them from getting damaged.
A lot of people choose to DIY painting kitchen cupboards. If you want a more professional finish, though, hire a trader.
Cupboards are usually fixed to the wall with a large screw and wall plug in each corner, though there may be more fittings than this, so you need to determine where the fittings are before you start to remove them. The screws may be either slotted or cross-head, and you will need to select the right screwdriver to be able to remove them. With someone helping you hold the cupboard, first remove the bottom screws completely, then loosen and start to remove the top screws. You can then remove the unit from the wall and place it on the ground on a dust sheet so that you can move on to the next step.
Next, you need to wash your cabinets down all over with sugar soap or a strong detergent solution. This will remove grease and most stains and create a smooth for you to paint onto. Wipe off any soap residue with a damp cloth and dry the units off with a soft cloth. If there are parts that you don’t want to paint such as cut-outs for deep-seated hinges – use masking tape to prevent these being painted over.
Once the cabinets are dry, sand them down with fine paper, though you can miss this stage if you have melamine or high-gloss surfaces. Fill any flaws with a high-quality ready mixed filler and then sand again. A multi-purpose filler is great for filling in holes on kitchen cabinets and cupboards as it's simple to sand, dries white, and won't shrink or split.
Next, apply a wood or melamine primer depending on the surface using a small roller on doors for a smooth finish. Try to use water-based paint, as it’s quick-drying and won’t smell during painting. The finish will be a slight sheen that’s easy to keep clean and touch-up. If using a brush, ensure it has synthetic bristles to avoid brush scratches.
Apply at least two coats of your selected colour. After the first coat is totally dry, sand again with a fine paper to create a smooth, expert finish. Remember to wipe away any dust with a wet cloth before applying the following coat. When the second coat is entirely dry, carefully give it a good wipe over with a damp cloth and leave to dry again. Carefully remove any masking tape, put the doorknobs and handles back on, and marvel at your shiny new cabinets. If you want even more of a modification, mix up your hardware and change your old handles and doorknobs with new ones. You can look at the stock that any home improvement centre has and find a design that suits your colouring and kitchen design.
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Here is a list of commonly asked questions regarding painting kitchen cupboards.
Normally, it is best to use one coat of primer, followed by two or three light coats of your chosen paint. You may find it best to give the whole cupboard two good coats of paint, and then put a third coat on high use parts such as doors to help protect them more.
Usually not. If you select the right finish paint, you will have a hard surface that will not easily fade or turn yellow. If you treat the cupboard surface in the right way and apply a good primer, then when it comes to topcoats, you will not have any problems with either the ability of the surface to withstand knocks and bangs nor with it yellowing. A clear coat will not help with discolouring at all.
That depends on how many cupboards you want painting, but generally, with a fast-drying paint primer and paint, you can expect to have a cupboard completed in a couple of hours. Obviously, if you have more than one cupboard you can take units down while the paint is drying on other previously removed, and you can paint multiple units at the same time, but the task will take at least a day and possibly as long as three days. Once you have finished painting a unit, you need to let it really dry off overnight.
It’s not real wood, but yes. You will have to ensure that you use an appropriate primer, but generally, these laminate ends can be painted too. If you treat them in the same way as you treat the rest of the cupboard, you shouldn’t have any problems.
Yes, it is possible. It is possible to get some putties and fillers that will do the job, but it is very costly. Generally, most people want to paint their cabinets because it is a cost-effective way of upgrading them without replacing them. If you try to fill the grain and make them smooth, it will cost you as much as if you replaced the doors. If you want to remove the grain marks, you might consider replacing the doors completely.
