Time For Something New
One of the best investments a homeowner can make into their home is to paint. When you look at the return that you get from the work you put into it and the money you spend, it is really good. Of course, a bad paint job is not going to be as appealing as a good one, so it is important that you don’t cut any corners. The first step to a good paint job starts when you are shopping for supplies. You should make sure that you have a sufficient budget for the job at hand. While a paint job can be a cheap investment, this doesn't mean that the dollar store paint and brushes are going to be a good investment. Instead, you should make sure to do some research to find out where you can get the best supplies.
Getting Supplies
When you are picking what paint you are using, you should also be aware of what type of material your cabinets are made from, but either way, do not cheap out on the paint. A high-quality paint will also produce high-quality results. There are some types of paints that are easier to deal with, and you can also find special paint for cabinets. This type of paint is made to create a nicer finish, but it is by no means necessary for a good final result.
You should also make sure that you get quality brushes and rollers since a poor tool is going to make your job much harder. It is also important that the type of brush matches the type of paint that you are using since it could have a huge impact on the result.
Surface Preparation
Your next step is equally important - preparing the surface of the cabinets. Any shortcuts you take in the preparation work will clearly show on the final product. It is a good idea to remove all the hardware (hinges and knobs) to make the job easier. You should also take the time to refresh or even replace the hardware. After all, why spend all that time painting your cabinets if you are going to have ugly hardware ruining the impression.
If there is old paint on the cabinets and it is in bad shape, you will need to remove it before applying new paint. Painting over flaking and peeling paint is not going to look good, so spending the time on this is going to be well worth it. You also need to sand all surfaces that you are going to paint to make sure that the paint will be applied correctly. Be thorough and get into all the cracks and crevices. If your cabinets are made out of wood, you want to sand along with the grain, but if not, you are just roughing up the surface for the paint to stick better. After sanding you should clean off the surfaces well to make sure that no dust is left behind.
The Importance of Primer
A step that many inexperienced painters like to skip is applying a primer, but you are not really doing yourself any favors by doing so. Primer serves an important purpose both by covering up any imperfections and providing a good surface for the paint to stick to. Consider also how much cheaper primer is than your paint, which means that if the primer saves you from applying an extra coat of paint, you are saving both work and money. While the primer is not going to be as visible as your final coat of paint, you will get a better end result if you are careful and thorough with the application of the primer.
Caring for the Details
If you are painting your drawers, avoid painting the sides and bottom since this could cause the drawers to stick when trying to pull them out later on. If your drawers already are a little tight, you might want to figure out how to minimize the trouble that the extra layer of paint will cause.
It is very important to be patient when painting. If you are instructed to let it dry for a specific amount of time, you should do so, since a rushed paint-job will have runs and clumps. You should follow the instructions provided on your paint can very closely for the best job possible.
Putting it all Back Together
After everything has dried and looks good, it is time to reassemble everything. Be careful since the paint might have dried, but it could easily be scuffed or scratched if you bump the newly painted cabinets while putting them back together. If you have purchased new hardware, you might need to adjust where the mounting holes are located. If they cover the old location completely, you might not need to do anything, but if not, some wood-filler and paint can be used to make it like the old hardware was never there.
After all this is done, you can sit back and enjoy your beautiful new kitchen, at a fraction of the cost.
For some more interesting reading, check out 8 Easy Ways to Save Energy in Your Home and How To Get Your Home Ready For the Fall.