BACK TO KITCHEN

 

Can you Paint Any Type of Kitchen Cabinet or Cupboard?

Social media would have you believe that you can paint any type of kitchen cabinet or cupboard and you can, but there are pros and cons to every type of painting project.

27/07/2023

 

 

 

 

There is a lot of hype surrounding the painting of kitchen cupboards and cabinets and we are led to believe that you can paint any type regardless of the material used to manufacture these. You can browse through hundreds of sources that cite successful kitchen painting projects but few ever return in a year or two to let you know whether the project was ultimately a success or failure. And that is the problem, everyone makes it look so easy and are quick to show you the results, but was it?

 

 

 

Today's paints cover more surfaces than they used to but you still involve a fair amount of preparation beforehand and you need to be sure that you use the correct paint for the surface you are painting if you want a successful and long-lasting paint job. We dug a little deeper into this trend and its practicality and whether or not it is a good idea to paint kitchen cabinets for a temporary fix or long-term solution.

 

 

 

 

Why paint kitchen cabinets and cupboards?

The main reason that the majority of homeowners paint their kitchen cabinets and cupboards is due to the fact that ripping out an old kitchen and having a new kitchen installed is an expensive exercise, one that most cannot afford. Giving cupboards and cabinets a cosmetic facelift with paint and hardware is an affordable solution that offers homeowners the possibility of having a new-look kitchen without the cost associated with a kitchen installation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is it quick and easy to paint kitchen cabinets and cupboards?

Despite what social media shows you, painting an entire kitchen is not a quick and easy project. I would love to just whizz through the kitchen with a paintbrush and paint roller and transform my kitchen in a few days, but it doesn't happen like that. You need to have a mindset of being able to cope with the amount of preparation that goes into this type of project as well as the length of time you need to spend painting.

 

 

Can you paint all types of kitchen cabinets and cupboards?

The answer to this question is yes, but there is a caveat attached to this statement that not all materials will accept paint on a long-term basis and certain materials should be painted with the intention of it being a temporary solution until you can afford to have a new kitchen installed. So, what materials can be painted?

 

Paint Wood Kitchen Cabinets

  1. Before undertaking any painting projects on wood kitchen cabinets, first, assess the type of wood. Some species of wood have an open-grain and it is not recommended that you paint these as it does not leave a nice smooth finish.
  2. Sand the cabinets and frames with 120-grit sandpaper, by hand if there are detailed patterns, to remove any gloss varnish that was previously applied.
  3. After sanding, repair any areas that are damaged. Use wood filler for small cracks and Alcolin QuikWood where sections have been chipped or are missing. Sand the repaired areas before painting.
  4. Wipe down the cabinets with mineral turpentine to remove all traces of dust.
  5. Apply your choice of paint finish, be it acrylic paint, or spray paint. Try to stay clear of chalk paint if your goal is to have a long-lasting paint finish. This product is not recommended for any areas of high use, which includes kitchen cabinets and cupboards.

 

 

 

 

Paint Laminate or Melamine Kitchen Cabinets

When painting this type of cabinet a bit of extra help is required to ensure a lasting paint project. Assess any damage before painting as it might be in your best interests to replace the doors if damage has occurred to the laminate wrap. It is not possible to repair areas where the laminate is peeling or cracking.

For proper adhesion, sand down all areas to be painted with 120-grit sandpaper and follow up with 180-grit sandpaper. This will roughen up the surface and provide a better surface to paint on.

Apply Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Primer over all areas to be painted. This is a multi-surface primer that provides excellent bonding between surface and paint and will also aid in a longer-lasting paint finish.

Finish with your choice of paint, applying with a paintbrush and foam paint roller. Find more advice on painting kitchen cabinets and cupboards in our Kitchen Section.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paint MDF or SupaWood Kitchen Cabinets

  1. With the exception of SupaWood (MDF), it is not recommended that you paint cabinets or cupboards made using board products, vinyl, or any materials with an open grain. While you can paint laminate- or melamine-faced cabinets, do be sure to follow the preparation required for this type of material.
  2. Cabinets and cupboards should be sanded with 120-grit sandpaper if there is a glossy finish on the cabinets, or 180-grit if there is a satin or matt finish. It is essential to de-gloss the existing finish in preparation for painting. Wipe clean with a slightly damp cloth to remove all traces of dirt.
  3. Finish with your choice of paint, applying with a paintbrush and foam paint roller. Find more advice on painting kitchen cabinets and cupboards in our Kitchen Section.
  4. Using a spray gun is the preferred method for painting kitchen cabinets and cupboards. it leaves a silky-smooth finish that is free of brush strokes. Use glossy paint as this is easier to keep clean and we know how grubby kitchen cabinets can get.

 

 

 

 

Paint Steel Kitchen Cabinets:

  1. Take the time to assess the condition of the cabinets to determine areas that need repair prior to painting. This is usually areas that have rust or where the paint is peeling or flaking away. You should be able to fix small dents and dings by removing the doors, placing them on a flat surface and tapping the damaged area with a hammer until the dents are removed. For rust, you will need to use a rust treatment to remove as much rust as possible before painting. Areas where the paint has cracked and peeled can be fixed in the next step.
  2. Use a sanding block and a few sheets 120-grit sandpaper to sand the cabinet, doors, or drawers. If you want to cut down on the time spent sanding, you can use a multi-sander or sander that has a finger-attachment pads that lets you sand difficult or hard-to-reach places. After sanding and eliminating any uneven areas, sand again with 240-grit sandpaper.
  3. Use clean rags and thinners to wipe away all traces of dirt on doors, drawers, and face frames.
  4. Apply Bulls Eye 1-2-3 prime over all areas to be painted. This primer provides excellent adhesion between the steel surface and new paint and will extend the lifespan of the painted finish. Use a paintbrush to paint around all the edges and then go over this with a foam paint roller to remove any excess paint and leave a smooth finish on flat surfaces.
  5. Paint with Velvaglo water-based enamel for a lasting finish. Apply with a paintbrush and roller and avoid applying the paint too thick

 

 

 

 

Builders have an excellent video that shows you the procedure involved for painting steel kitchen cabinets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

back to top