Painting Kitchen Cabinets?

Question

I have those mobile home "wooden" cabinets. We have pulled off the gold trim used and I am going to be replacing the hinges and knobs, however what I need help with is finding the best way to paint over them. I want to paint them white and am not sure how to go about it since they aren't painted and aren't exactly wood.....Please help! Going to Lowe's this weekend.

Answer 1

Scrub them thoroughly with something like TSP that will clean and take off grease. Let them dry thoroughly. Fill in any holes from nails or screws from when you took the trim off.

Get a can of undercoating paint like KILZ and do the entire inside and outside letting ti dry as per the instructions.

Then get your favorite color of Kitchen Enamel. It is designed to resist moisture and scrubbing and can be tinted to the exact color you request. Apply two coats of paint letting them dry as per the instructions on the can.

Answer 2

I have painted more kitchens than I can count, and for a quality job, hire a painter. Having said this, you can do a decent job, just be prepared to get a little frustrated, and don't try for perfection if this your first attempt at painting cabinets. The first step is to mark each door and drawer in a manner that will let you know where they go. Next clean them thoroughly. Start with a degreasing cleaner, rinse, then T.S.P., rinse again. If these cabinets are "fake" wood, then most likely they have a laminate surface which feels like a hard plastic. If this is the case, then kilz will not work. You will need to use a bonding primer, which actually acts like a glue. These primers give off nasty fumes, so ventilation is a must. Once primed, you can use any quality paint, but I prefer not to use latex paint. I ALWAYS use oil based paint for several reasons. First of all oil based paint drys to a non-porous surface which will be much easier to clean, secondly, oil based paints dry much slower, allowing the brush and roller marks to flow out, thirdly, oil based paints dry harder than water based paints. No matter what type of paint you use, sand lightly between each coat, including the primer., and wipe down between coats, if water based, do not use a tack cloth, use a lint free rag. The disadvantage of using oil based paints, is that you have to wait one day between coats, and at least 2 days before re-assembly.
The best advise I can give you though, is to not go to Lowes or Home Depot, go to a paint store, where you get the best advise, and take one of your doors or drawers to get the best product for your needs.
Preparing the surface before painting is the most important step, so be thorough.

Answer 3

Before removing the hinges, stick numbered masking tape on the back side of each cabinet door and stick matching numbered tapes inside the corresponding cabinet body. This way, once you're done painting, you know which door attaches to which cabinet. To prep the surface, you have the choice of using either sandpaper or a deglossing product called liquid sandpaper. This gives a better grip. Apply one coat of good primer like Kilz2, then one or two coats of latex paint (oil-based paint yellows over time), following recommended drying time between coats. I recommend using a roller for that smooth finish. When paint is fully dry, then reattach cabinet doors with your new hinges and install your knobs. Enjoy your finished project!

Answer 4

Make sure that you primer them first with a primer like Kilz2. Then you will need to use 2 coats of paint with a good sheen so it is easy to clean. (i.e. semi gloss) But most importantly when your done painting it you will need to put a coat or two of polyurethane over top of the paint. This is so the paint won't peel or chip off. I painted a bathroom cabinet that was not real wood with primer and paint but I didn't know about putting poly on it. Now the paint comes off with your fingernails where my husband and I grab the knobs.
Tip: At Lowes they sell 4" and 6" rollers made of Velour that are great for painting cabinets so you don't get roller or brush marks. Use sponge brushes where rollers might not fit in tight corners.

Answer 5

what about a dark country red? You can try to take the varnish off but it's hard because it may be old. If you can strip it I recommend stripping it first. Then prime the cabinets with white primer. After that apply your paint color.

Answer 6

If you want to look at them & be happy.
I've seen a few homes with kitchen cabinets that have been brushed. BARF JOB !!
I recommend removing them & then spraying with primer then paint.
You can buy a $2 tarp, use cardboard even hang the doors using coat hangers or twine & the old knob or hinge when spray painting.

Answer 7

The last time I went to Lowe's they had some very cheap cans of white spray paint. I would remove the doors to an outdoor area, remove all hardware and spray paint them. If you have never done that before, practice on some cardboard until you can do it without causing the paint to drip or run. Because of the dark color of the wood (which is probably a paper covering laminated to particle board), you will have to apply a couple of coats. If you still have problem covering the dark color, use a paint called Killz. Ask the guy at the paint counter, he'll be able to help you. Best of luck.

Answer 8

Sounds exactly like my cabinets I painted! Prep them by washing them, if any of them have damage, patch them with a patching compound, Then use killz primer on them. I painted mine high gloss white, and they turned out nice! Good luck!

Answer 9

first thing is to clean the old ones, wipe them down with a good all propose cleaner . remove the doors, you might want to use a primer on them first, before painting,
gives the paint a grabbing base, wait at least 24 hrs before putting doors back on,

Answer 10

Use a paint brush and white paint.