Paint Techniques for Wooden Cupboards

Remove Hardware

• Cupboard painting is tedious without removing hardware -- especially if you plan to use a paint sprayer. Spraying would require you to cover every single piece of hardware with tape to prevent exposure to paint overspray. Unscrew cupboard door hinges and knobs using a power drill. Store the screws and hardware in a paper bag or empty drawer. Removing the hardware and cupboard doors allows you to paint the entire surface uniformly without cutting in with a paint brush. Cutting in around knobs can leave circular brush marks.

Oil-Based Primer

• Skip latex, and use only oil-based primer on cupboards or cabinets. Coating a cupboard with an oil-based primer blocks stains, seals the wood and provides a sticky surface for maximum bonding in the top coat of paint. Use an all-in-one oil-based primer and sealer. Primer is the key element to achieving a durable paint finish on kitchen cabinets and cupboards. After thoroughly cleaning and sanding the wood, apply the primer. Paint the cupboard with a glossy enamel finish or a latex enamel.

Brush and Roll

• Painting cupboards with a traditional brush-and-roll method can help you achieve an appearance similar to a spray finish if you use the right techniques. Unscrew any hardware, and remove the doors. Use a 1-inch paint brush to fill in tight corners on paneled cupboard doors. Roll paint onto the cupboard using a 3-inch foam roller. A foam roller does not leave paint stipple and closely resembles a sprayed finish. Use a synthetic paint roller for the inside of the cupboard, and a foam roller for the outside of the doors.

Paint Sprayer

• Painting cupboards with a paint sprayer leaves a flawless finish free from brush and roller marks. However, indoor spraying requires extensive masking to protect your home from airborne overspray. Remove cupboard doors, and set up a work area in the backyard, using drop cloths to protect the grass from overspray. Lean cupboard doors against a step ladder or bucket. Spray one side of the door. Allow the paint to dry. Grip the top two corners of the cupboard door with your fingers, and turn the door around to spray the other side.