How to Paint a Kitchen Interior

The Prep

• 1

  Wash walls and ceiling with a lukewarm mixture of liquid soap detergent and warm water. Use a large industrial-size sponge for washing, and change water frequently.

• 2

  Rinse walls and ceiling with cold rinse water. Again, it is important to change water frequently.

• 3

  Let the wall dry. Remove nails, screws, paint chips or plaster with the putty knife or pair of pliers.

• 4

  Fill holes and depressions with premixed spackling paste. A putty knife can be used to spread the paste.

• 5

  Let the paste dry and then sand with fine grade (150-grit) sandpaper.

• 6

  Let dry and repeat the spackling application.

• 7

  Cover all spackling with an interior primer-sealer paint.

The Painting Process

• 8

  Choose your wall, ceiling and trim colors. The walls need to be semi-gloss acrylic latex and wood trim should be high-gloss acrylic latex. It is generally best to use a semi-gloss for the ceiling, though if all cooking areas are well vented, a flat acrylic latex ceiling paint might work.

• 9

  Remove all electrical receptacle covers and glass globes on light fixtures.

• 10

  Spread out the drop cloth and spread newspaper on top of all appliances and counters. Use masking tape to hold the newspapers in place. Also cover baseboards, cabinets, light fixtures and electrical outlets with newspaper and tape.

• 11

  Stir the paint thoroughly with a wooden paddle.

• 12

  Paint the ceiling first. Begin with the brush and cut in the perimeter areas of the ceiling. You will need the stepladder for the brush work.Then come right behind the brush work with the paint roller. This is the time to add the extension arm to the paint roller, so you can paint most of the kitchen area while standing on the floor. Spread the paint evenly across the ceiling and avoid leaving drip marks.

• 13

  Let the ceiling paint dry, unless you plan to paint the walls the same color. In that case, you can keep painting.

• 14

  Paint the walls in the same manner. First use the brush to cut in the perimeter of one wall. Then spread the paint on the wall with the roller and move on to the next section of wall.

• 15

  Let the paint dry.

• 16

  Plaster or wallboard backsplash areas, which are usually located right above the countertop, can be painted with a distinctive color that makes the narrow strip of wall space stand out.

• 17

  Paint the trim with the brush using a high-gloss acrylic latex paint.

• 18

  Take down all newspapers and tape. Also replace all wall and ceiling fixtures.

Painting Cabinets

• 19

  Remove all the doors, shelves and hardware from the cabinets.

• 20

  Sand the cabinets thoroughly with a palm or orbital sander. First use medium grit sandpaper (120 grit), then finish the sanding with 150-grit sandpaper.

• 21

  Wipe down the cabinets with a rag moistened with paint thinner or mineral spirits.

• 22

  Attach newspapers next to the cabinets with masking tape to keep paint off the walls.

• 23

  Spray the cabinets with a light coat of primer-sealer. For inexperienced painters an electric sprayer works best.

• 24

  Let the cabinets dry.

• 25

  Spray a top coat. This layer of paint can be a little bit heavier. The paint should be an enamel or high gloss paint.

• 26

  Let the paint dry and reattach the hardware, or install newly purchased hardware.