San Jose Cabinet Refinishing your cabinets is an investment, and the right finish can enhance style and durability. The best finishes withstand daily use and stand up to moisture, heat, and dust.
The first step is meticulous surface preparation. Using a degreaser helps remove grease and grime, and scuff sanding improves paint adhesion. Be sure to label cabinet doors and hardware before reassembly.
Preparation
If your cabinets are in good shape but have a dark finish, lightening them with a fresh coat of paint will brighten your kitchen. However, before you get started painting, it’s important to properly prepare the surfaces so the new finish adheres well and looks flawless.
Start by removing the cabinet doors and hardware from their hinges, and setting them aside. Label each door front with a piece of tape and a number so you can return them to the right place when you’re done.
Next, you’ll want to clean the cabinets using a degreaser like Simple Green (which we sell in our store) or a commercial product to remove any food residue and other dirt from the surfaces. This will ensure your new finish adheres to the cabinets and helps it last longer.
Once the surfaces are clean, it’s time to sand them lightly. A medium-grit sanding sponge or a random orbital sander will help you scuff up the existing finish, giving it some “tooth” for better adhesion to your primer and later paint. Once you’re finished sanding, vacuum and tack-rag the area to remove any remaining dust particles and ensure the surfaces are completely clean and ready for the SVT process.
Before you apply a new coat of paint, it’s a good idea to caulk any cracks around the cabinet edges and crown molding. This will prevent water from seeping into the cabinet box and causing problems down the road.
When you’re ready to begin priming, use a high-quality acrylic primer like KILZ 3(r) PREMIUM Primer. It offers superior adhesion to protect your paint job from chipping and peeling, plus it has mildew resistance for moisture-prone areas like the kitchen. Make sure the primer dries completely before you continue.
Primer
Painting kitchen cabinets is not a small or inexpensive project, so you’ll want to make sure your first coat of primer is high-quality. A great primer will ensure excellent adhesion and can be tinted to match the shade of your cabinet paint for a perfect color transition.
If your existing cabinets are painted, it’s important to sand them before priming. If you don’t, the second layer of paint may not adhere well to the surface and can chip or peel over time. For the best results, use a light-weight grit sandpaper, such as 220-grit, to get rid of any bumps or dips. You should also wipe down the surface with a damp cloth to remove any dust, grease or other debris.
A quick tip for the primer step: if you’re making a dramatic color change, it is best to tint your primer to match your cabinet paint rather than using an exact shade. This will help you achieve a much more even color on your cabinet doors and drawer fronts.
For a timeless look, pairing natural wood tones with vibrant painted cabinets can create an elegant and sophisticated aesthetic. If you decide to go this route, start with a good quality primer that promotes adhesion and is formulated for use under oil-based topcoats, such as BIN Shellac Primer. This product is compatible with both water-based and oil-based paints, so you can choose the type of finish that is right for your space.
One of the biggest mistakes DIYers make is skipping this step and applying paint directly over existing cabinets without a proper primer. This can lead to bubbling, cracking and other issues over time. To avoid this problem, use a degreasing cleaner such as Krud Kutter or TSP to thoroughly clean your cabinets before you apply the primer.
A final tip for this stage of the process is to number each cabinet door or drawer front before you remove them from the frame. This will ensure that you know which piece goes where when it’s time to reassemble them. This system is especially helpful if you’re working with older cabinets that might have some chips or other imperfections in the wood surface.
Paint
Whether your cabinets are dark or dingy, a fresh coat of paint can brighten and transform your kitchen. While refinishing can be a DIY project, you may prefer to hire a professional for a complete cabinet makeover. If your cabinets are in good structural condition, a new finish can refresh the look of the entire room for less than the cost of buying new furniture.
Before you start painting, remove all hardware and label each piece to ensure you can reinstall it once the cabinet doors are back in place. Set aside the screws, hinges and other small parts in a safe spot where you can find them again later. Also, remember to cover countertops and appliances so they don’t get dirty throughout the refinishing process.
Clean the cabinets thoroughly before applying any primer or paint. A degreaser works well to cut through grease build-up and create a smooth, clean surface for the products you’re using. If you’re refinishing cabinets mounted on the wall, use a gel or semi-paste stripper to remove the existing finish. This type of product works better for vertical surfaces and won’t drip as much as a liquid stripper.
Once the cabinet surfaces are clean, lightly scuff sand the surfaces to promote paint adhesion and remove sheen from the wood. Vacuum and tack-rag the areas to remove any dust and residue. After the sanding, it’s a good idea to caulk any cracks where the cabinet meets the walls or crown molding. Allow any caulk to dry completely before proceeding to the next step.
Before refinishing your cabinets, decide on the color and finish that you’d like. If you’re going with a light, airy style, white and ivory paints are popular options for cabinets. If you want something more colorful, try a soft blue or green shade to brighten the space.
Once the cabinet paint has dried, it’s time to reinstall the cabinet doors and drawer fronts. Reattach the hinges and screws with hand tools instead of power drills to prevent stripping. If you’re replacing the cabinet hardware, this is a great time to shop for a new style. Matching knobs and pulls can give your cabinets a sleek, polished look. Or, opt for non-matching or unique hardware to add some personality to your new kitchen.
Finish
It’s important to take this step carefully and to do it right. Removing your cabinet doors and drawer fronts is key to making this a successful project (and avoiding the mess of sanded kitchen cabinets in piles on your living room floor). It’s also the only way you’re going to be able to effectively paint both sides of the door and all of its edges. This may seem like a huge pain, but trust us, the end result will be worth it.
Once your surfaces are clean and dry, apply a primer that’s suitable for cabinet paint such as Sherwin Williams’ Extreme Bond Primer. This primer is formulated with superior adhesion and provides a smooth base for your final paint application.
As with the sanding step, it’s crucial to follow the directions on your primer and to work in a well-ventilated area. When you’re ready to begin painting, use a high-quality foam brush or a paint roller for the flat surfaces and a small paintbrush for any edges you need to tackle.
It’s best to work in smaller sections if you have multiple cabinets to paint, so as not to get your hands messy and to be able to finish each section before moving on. Let each coat of paint dry at least overnight, but two or more days is better. Once everything is completely dry, you’re ready to reinstall your cabinet doors and drawer fronts.
