Cabinet Painting Sacramento is a large project that requires careful surface prep to ensure the paint job sticks. This includes cleaning, sanding, and priming to ensure that your paint job lasts.

The kitchen should be well-ventilated during the painting process, and countertops, appliances, and walls should be covered to prevent overspray or dust.

If you’re planning on painting your cabinets a bright, trendy hue, it’s important to use primer first. This essential step helps to ensure your paint job won’t chip, peel or flake. Primer is a type of paint that’s formulated to bond with the surface of a given material. Many materials require a primer to ensure the best possible results, including wood surfaces, concrete and metal. Primer is often tinted to match the desired color of your finished project. It’s also available in oil-based or water-based versions, which differ in the chemicals they contain and their resulting fumes.

Oil-based primers produce fumes that are more harmful than their water-based counterparts, so it’s best to work in an open area when using them. It’s also important to wear a mask to avoid breathing in these dangerous fumes. Before starting, prepare the cabinet surface by sanding it to create a rough finish that can hold primer and paint. After sanding, wipe down the surface with a damp cloth and allow it to dry completely before priming.

Many surfaces have stains or other previous paint jobs that can make it difficult to get an even, quality paint job. Priming the surface eliminates these stains or other finishes and allows the new layer of paint to adhere properly.

Primer is an inexpensive way to make sure your final product looks great and lasts a long time. It’s also a great way to prevent bleed-through of the original material and to protect it from moisture penetration, which can cause rot or mildew.

You can apply your primer using a brush or a sprayer, depending on the type of primer you choose and your preferred application method. A high-quality product like BIN Shellac Primer dries fast, so it can be applied quickly and efficiently to the cabinets. Once it’s dry, it can be lightly sanded for a smoother finish and then you’re ready to apply your topcoat of paint. Before you start, however, make sure the room is well ventilated. It’s best to open windows and use fans to keep the air flowing and minimize any potential fumes from the primer or paint.

Sanding

Cabinet sanding is an important step in prepping the cabinet surface for new paint and preventing future chips from occurring. A good quality sandpaper should be used to achieve the desired smoothness. There are many different sandpaper grits, each designed for specific purposes. Knowing which to use will help you avoid common mistakes when sanding, such as oversanding and damaging the wood.

It’s recommended to remove all the hardware from your cabinets before you begin sanding. This will make it easier to reach the corners and edges. It’s also a good idea to label the doors and drawers so you can reattach them correctly after you finish painting. Also, be sure to take care not to misplace any screws or hinges as you remove them.

If your cabinets are in a particularly grimy condition, it’s worth starting by cleaning them thoroughly with a degreaser. This will ensure the best results as your paint and sandpaper will be able to adhere to a clean surface.

Depending on your vision for the project, you may want to update your hardware. If so, BEHR ORIGINAL aerosol can be used to easily prime and spray your cabinet hardware.

Be sure to keep a dust mask handy throughout this process. Sanding creates a lot of dust that can be harmful to your health if inhaled. You can minimize the amount of dust by vacuuming frequently and striking the sandpaper on a hard surface. It’s also a good idea remove and replace your sandpaper occasionally, as it will become encrusted and less effective.

One of the most common mistakes that people make when sanding is using too coarse of a grit. This can damage the wood and cause problems with adhesion. You can avoid this problem by testing the sandpaper with a coarse grit before moving on to a finer sanding.

Once you have finished sanding, it’s a good idea to wipe the cabinet down with a damp cloth and let it dry completely. Then apply a coat of wood sealer to protect the surface. A high-quality product, such as KILZ 3(r) PREMIUM, can provide excellent protection from moisture and mildew growth in a moist kitchen environment.

Filling Holes

Wood filler is a key tool for any DIY-er. It is used to fill holes, dents and cracks on cabinetry to prepare them for painting or staining. It can be purchased at most hardware stores and comes in a variety of colors to match your cabinets.

To use wood filler, first clean the damaged area to ensure it is free of dust and debris. Then, mix the resin according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Once mixed, apply it to the hole or divot using a putty knife or spatula. Press firmly into the hole and overfill it slightly to account for shrinkage. Smooth the filler with a wet knife before it dries. It usually takes 1-2 hours to dry completely.

Before beginning this step, you should have a numbering system to keep track of the cabinet pieces as you remove them. This will save you time and frustration as you work to reassemble the cabinets. It will also help to have a small box or bag to place the hardware, such as hinges, screws and pulls in for safekeeping.

Once the wood filler has dried, you can sand it down with a fine-grit piece of sandpaper to create a smooth and even surface for painting or staining. It is important to sand carefully and take your time in this step to avoid damaging the surrounding surface or creating scratches.

After sanding, you can touch up the spot with a paint or stain pen in a matching color to blend it into the rest of the surface. This is a great way to make your cabinet painting project look professional and will prevent the filled hole from sticking out like a sore thumb! Be sure to allow the sanded spot to completely dry before proceeding to any finish steps. A good quality sanding sponge can be helpful for this task as it is easy to maneuver and will not damage the surface. Then, simply apply a light coat of the finish you have chosen and it will look great!

Painting

A good quality semi-gloss latex paint will provide a durable finish for your cabinets. To ensure a smooth application, use a brush to get into corners and edges, and apply two coats. Sand between coats for a really smooth surface. For a unique look, add a finishing glaze after the paint is dry. Depending on the type of glaze, it can offer a crackle, distressed or worn-in look to your kitchen cabinets.

Before you begin painting, clean the cabinet doors and drawer fronts with a degreaser spray or a solution of trisodium phosphate (TSP) mixed with water. This is essential, as oil and grime will prevent the paint from adhering properly. It’s also a good idea to clean the inside of the cabinets, especially those located above the stove or near the sink, as they can become very dirty from food spills and grease build-up.

It’s important to map out the cabinet boxes and doors before you begin painting. This will help you re-install the hardware later and will save you a lot of time. Put each door and drawer in a plastic bag and label them with the cabinet number they go into. This will make it easier to re-install them when the job is complete.

If you’re a skilled DIYer, you can strip the existing cabinet paint and stain to prep the wood for new coats of paint. However, stripping is a very messy and tedious process that should be avoided whenever possible.

An HVLP sprayer is the best tool to use when painting cabinets because it offers a lot of control over your application. This allows you to dial it down for a precise and targeted spray in hard-to-reach areas or open it up for a broader application. If you don’t have an HVLP, a good quality foam roller and a Purdy paint brush will work well too. When using a foam roller, be sure to use a high-quality one that won’t shed lint or leave behind a sticky residue. You’ll also want to wear a mask when applying primer and paint to avoid inhaling the dust and chemical fumes.