How to Redo Kitchen Cabinets

Redoing Cabinets with Paint

• 1

  Remove the cabinet doors and drawers. Take off the old hinges and door hardware and put them in a bucket or somewhere safe. If you're going to update or replace them, take some to the hardware store with you to be sure you purchase a perfect match.

• 2

  Scrub them clean with degreasing detergent or dishwashing liquid. Scrape off the door bumpers (sticky little pieces of vinyl or felt affixed to the inside of the doors so they close softly) and clean off the glue. Door bumpers are sold in inexpensive packs and should be replaced when you redo cabinets.

• 3

  Fill holes and dents with carpenter's wood putty, let it dry and sand the cabinets with 100- or 120-grit sandpaper until all the surfaces are smooth and dull. An electric palm sander will make this job go quicker. Brush, wipe or vacuum away the sanding dust.

• 4

  Prime the cabinets with fast-drying oil- or shellac-based primer. Use a natural bristle brush for the edges and corners, and a 6-inch roller for the flat areas to apply an even coat. Let it dry as indicated on the label directions. Shellac primers can be painted in about an hour.

• 5

  Caulk gaps and joints with paintable silicone caulking. In addition, caulk everywhere the cabinets meet the wall or ceiling because this results in a much cleaner appearance. Smooth the caulk neatly into the cracks with a damp rag or your fingertips, then let it dry for about three hours.

• 6

  Apply at least two coats of high-quality satin or semi-gloss enamel. Latex (water-based) enamel will hold up very well, is easier to use and dries faster, with minimal smell---buy a better grade of paint from a paint store instead of a home improvement center. Alkyd (oil-based) enamel is fine as well, but allow extra time for the project as it must dry a minumum of eight hours between coats of paint.

Refinishing Cabinets

• 7

  Clean and sand the cabinets as described in the previous section.

• 8

  Wipe stain into deep scratches and areas of bare wood to match the existing color and wipe away the excess.

• 9

  Apply two coats of polyurethane to the cabinets.