Can I Paint Over My Stained Cabinents With Latex Paint?

Preparation

• The time you spend prepping your cabinets will largely determine the success of this project. The first step is to clean the cabinets with a general household cleaner or trisodium phosphate to remove grease and dirt. Rinse the cabinets with water and allow them to dry. Remove cabinet faces and set them on a stable work surface to paint them. Paint cabinets with a high-quality oil or acrylic primer, which smooths out surface imperfections and creates a clean palette for the paint. A light sanding with fine sandpaper roughs up the surface slightly so paint sticks better.

Paint

• Ordinary house paint is fine for painting cabinets; whether you choose oil-based or enamel paints is a matter of preference. Oil-based paints are usually more durable, but take longer to dry and are more difficult to clean up. Enamel paints clean up easily with water, but take longer to cure, or become fully hardened. Buy a high-quality brand and apply it with a foam roller or a flexible-handled brush. Paint the detailed areas first, followed by the flat areas of the cabinets. You'll probably want to apply at least two coats of paint for added durability.

Considerations

• You'll save a bundle by painting cabinets yourself, instead of replacing them or hiring a painter, but consider the condition of the cabinets when making this decision. Rickety, old cabinets that are worn beyond repair are probably not worth saving. You may be better off replacing poorly designed cabinets, as well. Some people prefer to strip off an old finish and varnish prior to painting cabinets. This process is extremely time consuming and creates a lot of dust. It is usually not necessary if you use a high-quality primer and sand the wood lightly.

Maintenance

• Keep a small container of paint on hand to repair chips. Once the paint has cured, it will be very durable, but should a chip occur, you can quickly paint over it, feathering out the edges to disguise the repair. Wash painted surfaces weekly with a mild cleaner and warm water.