My bathroom cabinets are a very dark veneer. What is the best way to repaint them?

Question

They seem to have a very thick coating of some ugly varnish. Should I sand first? Last time I tried to sand it left scratch marks in the ugly veneer.

Answer 1

if it's a glossy finish you should sand. but you don't need to sand so hard as to leave marks, there just needs to be tiny tiny scufs for the paint to adhear to. use like a 120-180 grit sand paper. you'll feel like there is no difference, but the paint will have something to 'grip' to.
then get a good primer paint, kilz or whatever, and do 2-3 coats depending on the lightness of the new color you want to do.
then make sure that the paint you get is made for kitchens and bathrooms, they are mold resistant and usually glossy. we have always had good luck with pitsburg or dutch boy.

Answer 2

Old varnishes are relatively unstable. Often even water left on old varnish will cause if to discolor. The doors and hardware should be removed. Then all surfaces that need to be painted should be wiped down with rags wetted with minerial spirits. Make sure that the room is has good ventalation and that there are no open flames or sparing devices in or near the room during this step of the project (pilot flames, toasters, etc.). The mineral spirits will reduce the varnish and allow the stick layer to come off. As this is a kitchen there may be cooking grease and grease from your fingers that is also on the cabinets and the the minerial spirits will wipe this away also. At this point you want to use a sand paper to rough up the surface. I would use either 120 or 100 grit sand paper and would try to use a orbital sander as this will allow you to get it done without loosing steam. You should be careful on any of the sharp edges not to sand to hard. Sanding puts tiny grooves in the surface of the cabinent that will alow for the primer to stick and form a good base for your top coats. The primer should be an oil based primer and I would recommend using Kilz(TM) primer sealer. Ventalation requirements above should also be observed. Now you are ready for the top coat. This also should be an oil base paint as water base paint will not hold up to the abuse that cabinets have to endure. When you are done you should put the hardware and doors back on and enjoy. To do this project right it is a lot of work. You may find new cabinets more expensive but a whole lot less frustrating. God Bless.

Answer 3

I would try getting a paint stripper first and seeing if that will work. If it does, do that, then sand them down after you get the veneer off. Go to www.hgtv.com, they usually have some great ideas for that kind of thing. Good luck!!

Answer 4

I would just paint a coat of primer right over the varnish, then repaint.

Answer 5

sand first or the paint will come off. use a sand paper with a finer grain. use a good primer before you paint. good lucK!

Answer 6

if you give them a light sanding with fine sandpaper then wash them with white spirit.give them a coat of oilbased undercoat then after it has dried give them a coat of gloss paint in your chosen colour,

Answer 7

go over with very fine sandpaper, dust, put on primer coat, then paint and yaahoooo you are done lol