Whether you’re needing a kitchen refresh or a bathroom update, adding a new color of paint to your cabinets can do the trick. If you’re wanting to renovate your kitchen or bathroom but don’t want to invest a lot of money, cabinet painting is a great way to do so. The professionals at TRICO PAINTING have painted their fair share of cabinets throughout the years, so here are our tips and tricks for a successful DIY cabinet painting project.
Prepare Your Cabinets
Properly preparing your cabinets is a crucial step to ensuring a successful paint job. By following these simple steps, you can be sure to have flawless-looking cabinets.
- Remove and Label Doors: First things first: remove all of the cabinet doors and any hardware that you don’t want getting ruined by paint. For your kitchen cabinets, you want to be sure to label the doors as you remove them, otherwise you’ll be spending extra time trying to match up the doors after you’ve painted. Depending on how many cabinets you have in your bathroom, you can probably get away with not labeling those doors.
- Wash the Doors: Both the kitchen and bathroom experience a lot of traffic. In the kitchen, food splatter and grease have probably built up over time. And in the bathroom, grime and scum have probably accumulated. Washing all of your cabinet doors and removing any buildup before you begin the painting process is a step you don’t want to forget.
- Sand the Doors: Before you begin applying primer and paint, you’ll need to lightly sand your cabinets. You don’t want to overdo it, but sand enough to provide a nice surface for the primer to adhere well.
- Prime and Paint: Once all of the cabinets have been properly prepared, you can apply a coat of primer. Once the primer is on, you can finally apply the new paint color.
Painting your cabinets can definitely be a process depending on how many doors you have; that’s why many consider professional cabinet painting when deciding to change up the color.
How Many Coats of Paint Are Needed?
Depending on what kind of primer you’re using and the state of the cabinets, you will need 1-2 coats of primer. For many cabinets, one coat is plenty, but if you’re uncertain, a second coat won’t hurt as long as it's not applied too thick.
When it comes to the actual paint, you will need at least two coats. For some cabinets, though, you may need a third coat. Knowing how many coats of paint to put on the cabinets will ensure a long-lasting paint job so that you don’t have to do touch-ups for several years.
Whether your cabinets had been previously painted before the new color and what kind of paint finish you’re using will determine if you need a third coat of paint or not. If you’re changing the color of the cabinets from a dark color to a light color, it will often require that third coat of paint as well.
Call the Experts for Your Cabinet Painting Needs
While painting your cabinets is certainly a great DIY project, others may not have the time to take on the task. Preparing your cabinets for painting is just as important as the painting itself, and knowing how many coats of paint to apply will determine the success of your project. Calling in a cabinet painting company, like the experts at TRICO PAINTING, will guarantee that your cabinets will look great and last long. If you’re wondering how much cabinet painting costs, contact us today for an interior painting estimate. We’re here to help give you the space you’ve been dreaming of.
FAQs
When it comes to applying paint on kitchen cabinets, multiple thin coats will produce superior results compared to fewer thick ones. Two coats are generally recommended as a minimum; however, three coats may be necessary depending on several factors: Light-coloured paints applied onto dark may require more coverage.
How many coats of paint should I put on my cabinets? ›
Depending on what kind of primer you're using and the state of the cabinets, you will need 1-2 coats of primer. For many cabinets, one coat is plenty, but if you're uncertain, a second coat won't hurt as long as it's not applied too thick. When it comes to the actual paint, you will need at least two coats.
Should you paint cabinets 2 or 3 coats? ›
Generally speaking, 2-3 coats total do the trick (primer first, then paint), so long as you keep in mind the quality of paint you're using, the condition of your cabinets, and how the color in question might interact with the existing color of your cabinets.
Is 3 coats of paint too much? ›
Is 3 coats of paint too much? Three coats of paint can be a little much, but it will depend on the colour and quality of your paint. Cheap paint generally is thinner and will need more coats, so three may be the right amount. High-quality paint is usually thicker and generally only needs two coats.
How long to wait between coats of paint on kitchen cabinets? ›
It is typically safe to apply a second coat after four hours for latex paint and 24 hours for oil-based paint. Latex paint is dry to the touch in about one hour, while oil-based paint is dry to the touch in about six to eight hours.
Should you sand between coats of paint on cabinets? ›
Pro tip: Sanding between coats of paint isn't always necessary, but is highly recommended when applying polyurethane over stain or raw wood.
How long does it take for paint to fully dry on cabinets? ›
Oil-based Paints– The oil-based paints dry within around 6 to 8 hours normally. Meanwhile, they take about a week to cure. To put a secondary coat, you got to wait for a whole day after applying the primary one. Latex Paints (Water-based)– Usually, latex paints take a low time of a couple of hours to completely dry.
Is it better to paint cabinets with a roller or brush? ›
Using a brush for cabinet painting ensures that you will get a smooth, even finish on your cabinets. A brush can also help get into all the nooks and crannies of your cabinets, which a roller might miss.
Will 3 coats of paint make it darker? ›
If you choose to use a single coat of paint to speed up the painting process or save some money, the chances are your paint shade won't look the same as you'd hoped, but the same also goes for too many coats. Using three or more coats of paint will probably make your shade look darker than expected.
Should you paint cabinets flat or gloss? ›
To sum up, a gloss finish will give your kitchen an expensive, sophisticated, and modern look. A matte finish is more subtle, soft, and cozy, and works well if your kitchen has a more traditional look. So, consider the style of your kitchen when deciding between gloss and matte cabinetry.
Could the patchyness actually be caused by you going over the paint too much as you are applying it - ie: overlapping too much onto the stuff you've just applied as it's beginning to dry? This can cause the paint to look patchy 'cos it ends up with a slightly different texture and therefore reflects light differently.
How many coats do professional painters do? ›
Using two coats of paint is our industry standard.
How many coats of paint do professional painters do? ›
Professional painters, like VanDerKolk Painting, recommend using at least two coats but sometimes suggest three depending on the color and thickness of the paint.
Can kitchen cabinets be painted in one day? ›
First of all, it's going to take a serious time commitment.
To paint your kitchen cabinets in a manner comparable to a professional paint job could require over two hours of time per cabinet door or drawer if you're going to do it right, and several more hours for your base cabinets.
What is the best paint for kitchen cabinets? ›
There are many types of paint to choose from, but the best paint for kitchen cabinets is semi-gloss, gloss or satin.
Do you sand after first coat of paint on cabinets? ›
Sanding after the primer is on allows you a chance to smooth any inconsistencies and drips before you start layering paint. You can also sand between the coats of paint. If you decide to include this step, use 220-grit sandpaper to get a perfect finish. Don't forget to always dust everything off after!
How long should cabinet paint dry before second coat? ›
It also affects how quickly you can add a second coat. If you are using a latex-based paint, it should dry to the touch within a couple of hours with normal ventilation in the room. Wait about four hours before putting a second coat onto the cabinets. The curing time for latex can be as long as 28 days.
Can you paint cabinets twice? ›
The answer is yes, you can paint over cabinet that are already painted. As always, in order for any paint to adhere properly, you must prepare the surface the right way. If the old paint is peeling, it must be scraped away where it has come "loose" from the wood.
How to get a smooth finish when painting kitchen cabinets? ›
If you want a super smooth finish painting kitchen cabinets ,thorough prep work is key. Using an electric sander is a must instead of sanding by hand. A random orbit sander sands surfaces evenly without leaving scratches like a folded piece of sandpaper can. Lacquer application is also key to obtaining smooth finishes.
How do you paint cabinets perfectly? ›
Directions
- Set up a painting station (ideally in an enclosed area to avoid dust/debris)
- Clean/prep your surface (sand first if using a pre-finished surface)
- Apply primer.
- Sand with a 220 grit (or finer) sanding sponge.
- Apply paint.
- Sand with 400-600 grit sanding sponge/paper.
- Apply second coat of paint.
