Cabinets can be painted to have a smooth, factory-like finish or to look hand-painted with prominent brush strokes. The latter requires a steady hand and patience but can look very nice.
To achieve a smooth finish, you must prep the surface before painting. This includes sanding, vacuuming and tack-ragging the cabinets. Contact Cabinet Refinishing San Jose CA for more details.
Preparation
The pantry is a space many of us use frequently, but it often becomes a chaotic jumble of expired condiments, mystery bags of flour, and other miscellaneous food. When it comes to organizing the pantry, a well-planned system can reduce stress and make kitchen work more efficient. A few simple steps can turn a cluttered mess into an organized pantry cabinet that’s easy to use.
Begin with a decluttering session to get rid of any items that you haven’t used in a while, and to inspect expiration dates for items nearing their end. Throw away any items that have gone bad, and transfer the rest to new storage containers.
Once everything is out of the pantry, it’s a good time to line the shelves with an acrylic shelf liner, such as Clear Classic(r) EasyLiner(r). This will protect the cabinets from stains, scratches and water damage, and keep things looking uniform.
Next, you’ll want to wash the cabinets to remove any residue or debris that has built up over time. Use a scrub brush and synthetic steel wool, or a non-toxic cleaner such as trisodium phosphate (TSP), mixed with soap and water. TSP emulsifies grease, making it much easier to remove than with soap alone. It’s important to clean the entire cabinet, including the back and inside of the cabinets where dust tends to accumulate.
Finally, consider installing over-the-door organizers to take advantage of unused space in the pantry cabinet door. These simple yet effective organizational solutions can hold a wide range of items, from snacks and cereals to canned goods and cleaning products.
Pantry cabinet organization also involves grouping similar items together and designating specific zones for each type of food. For example, you may want to create a zone for grains and pastas, another for canned vegetables, beans and soups, and a third for beverages like juice and tea. Creating these designated zones can help you find what you’re looking for and avoid the risk of overstocking or purchasing duplicate items. It can also help prevent the buildup of odors.
Primer
A good primer provides a surface for paint to stick to, which is especially important on surfaces that see constant use like cabinets. Primer also covers porous surfaces, blocks stains and evens out texture. For kitchen cabinetry, choose a mold- and mildew-resistant product designed for high humidity environments like KILZ Mold & Mildew Primer. Apply a thin coat and allow to dry thoroughly before sanding.
Painting is a cost-effective way to transform dated pantry cabinets. Lightening dark cabinetry brightens the entire space and creates a crisp, clean aesthetic that elevates your kitchen design. To ensure your new light color looks true and vibrant, start with a premium-quality primer, such as KILZ 3 Premium Primer. This fast-drying, low-odor primer is formulated to promote adhesion and hide previous dark tones.
All surfaces have pores, but the surface of your cabinets are especially porous, which is why it’s crucial to sand before priming. This process scuffs up the surface so your new paint can adhere to it. After sanding, vacuum the surfaces to remove any dust particles and wipe with a damp cloth to remove remaining traces of dirt or oils.
Regardless of the color you’re choosing, a primer is essential for any cabinet refinishing project. Primer creates a smooth, well-prepared surface that will make your topcoat of paint look professional. It also helps reduce the number of coats you need to achieve a rich and vibrant finish.
If you’re changing from a light color to a darker shade, be sure to prime. This will help the new color to last by blocking stains and evening out texture. It’s best to use a latex or no-VOC primer to minimize the amount of VOCs in your kitchen, but oil-based products are also suitable for certain surface types.
Paint
Choosing the right paint is one of the most important steps in the cabinet refinishing process. The ideal paint offers both durability and beauty, balancing the practical with the aesthetic. Pantry shelves undergo heavy use, so the right paint will resist moisture, fading and scratching for long-lasting performance. There are also washable paint options that make it easier to wipe away spills and smudges. Choose low- or zero-VOC formulas if you value sustainability and want to contribute to a healthier indoor environment.
Before beginning the painting process, it’s a good idea to label doors and hardware. This will help you reassemble them in the correct spots once they’re dry. You should also clean all surfaces thoroughly to ensure they’re free from dust, grease and other debris that may interfere with adhesion. Then, sand surfaces that are bare or have existing paint to smooth them and promote even absorption of the topcoat.
Acrylic paint is an excellent choice for softwood cabinets, as it’s easy to work with and dries quickly. It also offers resistance to mold and mildew, making it an optimal choice for high-touch surfaces that require frequent wiping down. Unlike some other types of paint, however, acrylic paint can discolor with age, so it’s best to apply several thin coats for an even finish.
Oil-based paint provides superior adhesion to sanded wood and offers durability and a smooth coating that’s resistant to wear and tear. This type of paint dries quickly and requires more coats than latex, but it’s an excellent choice for kitchen cabinetry that will see high amounts of traffic.
High-gloss, or alkyd, paint is a standout option for pantry cabinets, as it creates a high-shine finish that reflects light and brightens the space. It is also easy to clean and has a great moisture-resistance, making it ideal for busy kitchens. Because alkyd paint has a strong odor, it requires more time to dry than other types of paint and may require more coats for an even finish. However, its exceptional longevity makes it worth the effort. It’s important to test any new paint on a small, inconspicuous area of your cabinets before applying it to ensure it adheres well and won’t chip or flake easily.
Finish
After repairing, priming, and sanding the cabinets it is time to apply the finish. This is done using a brush and mini roller. This leaves minor brush marks which helps achieve a smooth finish. Typically it takes 3-4 hours for the first coat to dry. Depending on the material used for the original finish, a second coat may be needed.
While you are painting the cabinets you may want to consider adding new hardware. This is a great opportunity to add your personal touch and style. Matching pulls and knobs can work well with traditional or modern styles. Nonmatching hardware can be more casual and eclectic, and works great in a more relaxed or informal environment.
If you are stripping the cabinet doors or drawers make sure to use a product that does not contain Tri-sodium phosphate. This can cause bonding issues later on in the project and is not recommended. It is also important to mask off the surrounding areas and any internal areas with tape, plastic or paper. This will prevent splatter and other unwanted marks that could require additional cleanup.