If you ever plan on remodeling down the road, the best type of kitchen cabinets to buy are those that can be painted over, including RTA kitchen cabinets. This allows for the most customization options after your purchase.
Today, we’ll go over the basics of painting kitchen cabinets, including the cost. We’ll even explore how to go about painting kitchen cabinets without leaving brush marks, so you won’t need to hire a professional.
There are a few things to consider when talking about the cost of repainting cabinets. If you’re having professionals do the job for you, you’ll need to pay for their time and labor. If you’re doing it on your own, you’ll just have to cover supplies.
In most 175-square-foot kitchens, it could cost between $525 and $1,750 to have your cabinets professionally painted. In larger kitchens, you could see the cost skyrocket to around $6,500; some sources say you should expect to pay between $3 and $10 per square foot.
What If I Do It Myself?
If you’re painting your cabinets yourself, you’re likely to spend between $200 and $600 on supplies, depending on what you already have. The cost will also depend on the quality of materials you get. Don’t skimp on the paint–higher quality paints look better on cabinets!
How to Repaint Kitchen Cabinets
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Make Sure Your Cabinets Can Be Painted
Plastic laminate and thermofoil don’t hold paint well because these surfaces are glossy. Surfaces with moldings and small details can also be hard to paint over. Before you begin, paint a test patch to make sure the paint sticks.
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Collect Supplies
Be sure you have the following:
- Paint
- Painter’s tape
- Brush
- Roller
- Primer
- Sandpaper
- Paint trays
- Degreasing agent
- Drop cloths
- Ladder
- Sponges
- Drill or screwdriver
- Shop vac
- Putty knife
- Wood filler
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Remove the Doors and Drawers
Take the doors and drawers out of your cabinets before you paint them. You should also remove whatever is inside of them. Some people think it’s a good idea to paint their cabinets without removing these parts, but this can cause the hardware to wear down quickly.
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Degrease Your Cabinets
If you skip this step, your paint might not stick. First, use a degreaser to remove the grease from your cabinets. Then, use sandpaper to remove the shine from them.
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Prime Your Cabinets
Next, it’s time to prime your cabinets. First, sand down your cabinets once more to help with paint adhesion. Then, grab your primer and apply it to the cabinets. It’s best if you do this outside or in a well-ventilated space.
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Paint the Cabinets
Lastly, paint your cabinets. Before you reach for the cabinets themselves, it’s a good idea to test your color on a spare piece of wood to check that the color is really the best fit for your kitchen. Once you’ve decided that it is, start by painting the backsides of the doors and drawers. Wait twenty-four hours before applying the next coat.
To paint your cabinets without leaving brush marks on them, make sure you’re using 300-to-400-grit sandpaper before you apply your final coat. You should also make sure your brush is clean before using it, and that it has smooth bristles.
Can All Kitchen Cabinets Be Repainted?
Some kitchen cabinets are better off being replaced, especially if they’re damaged. They may be hard to paint, hard to get the paint to stick to, or may look bad with paint on them.
Plastic laminate cabinets should be replaced instead of painted because the paint might not stick to them. If you’re insistent on painting them, test out a small area first to see if the paint will take to it. It’s possible to paint these kinds of cabinets, but it’s much harder than painting wood or wood laminate.
Repainting cabinets is a time-consuming task that’s worth it in the end. You’ll be left with a brand new look in your kitchen that you’ll be rushing to show off. If painting your cabinets sounds like a hassle, or if you have cabinets that wo;; be tough to paint over, it may be time to replace them instead.
27EStore carries kitchen cabinets and other home improvement supplies for your upcoming renovation. Shop our selection today to find your perfect kitchen upgrade!
