Painting cabinets is a reasonable first step in a budget-friendly bathroom renovation. A cabinet update is one of the few items that can completely transform a room. Given the high cost of new bathroom cabinets, even those who despise painting may consider it, as it can save a lot of money while also improving the bathroom's appearance.
Depending on how thorough the job is, this project might easily take a couple of weekends. On the other hand, a new paint job can last for years and look exactly as lovely as you imagined provided you take your time and do it well.
Remove hardware
Begin by removing the vanity's cabinet doors and drawers, as well as the hardware. You should never paint over cabinet hardware like hinges and handles since it will impair how the cabinet works. If your hinges and hardware have been previously painted, you can have them restored by contacting a paint shop.
Make a diagram of how the vanity's doors and drawers fit together, identifying each piece with its location for simple reassembly. Remove hinges and hardware with a cordless drill or screwdriver. If your cabinets have adjustable shelves, make sure you take them out as well as the hardware that supports them.
Clean and sand
With soap and water, clean the doors, drawers, and cabinets, then wipe them down with clean water. If you're painting the cabinet interiors, make sure they're clean beforehand. TSP (Trisodium Phosphate) or a less harmful equivalent can be used to remove tenacious grease and grime. When handling or using TSP, make sure to always use gloves.
If any nicks or dents appear on the cabinet bases, doors, or drawers, use a putty knife and appropriate filler to fix the damage. Apply the paint, let it dry, and then sand it smooth.
Lightly sand the outside of the cabinets, as well as the doors and drawer fronts, with fine-grit paper. The primer will benefit from this, and the paint will stick better to the surface. When sanding the trim and indentations around the door knobs, be very careful; you want to roughen all surfaces to ensure a strong paint foundation.
To remove dust, wipe the surfaces with a moist cloth
Prime
Using a sprayer, roller, or brush, apply primer to each door and drawer front. A paint sprayer, if you have one, will help you create a more professional finish. They can be rented or purchased from hardware stores. If you're painting with a brush, use long, smooth strokes to hide the brushstrokes. Allow the primer to dry completely.
Prime the opposite sides of the cabinet doors by flipping them over. Wait for the primer to dry before going over the edges a second time. If you're painting varnished cabinets, you should use an oil primer as a base coat. Over an oil-based primer, latex paint adheres best.
Paint
Paint the doors, drawer fronts, and cabinet boxes with the first coat. Use a synthetic paintbrush or a sprayer if you're using water-based paint. A natural-bristle brush or a sprayer are required for oil-based paints. Remember to paint both sides of the doors; it's usually easier to paint the fronts first and then the backs later. Allow the paint to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Apply a second coat of paint to all surfaces and let it dry for a day, or more. This could take a week or more. This gives the finish time to harden before the cabinets are used again.
If you’re planning to paint your bathroom cabinets, contact the Painting Company in Avon, CT
