Imagine walking into your kitchen on a sunny morning. Your eyes are drawn to your cabinets — they look outdated and are beginning to show signs of wear and tear. You’re tired of the dull, washed-out color that no longer fits your style. You find your mind wandering to thoughts of a well-deserved refresh.
But there’s one question that keeps nagging at you: can I paint over already painted cabinets?
Revitalizing your kitchen by painting over the painted cabinets is a completely achievable task. Not only can it transform your kitchen into a space that mirrors your taste, but doing so could also boost the value of your home.
In this article, we will delve into painting already-painted cabinets, from the best materials to use to step-by-step instructions. We’ll provide hands-on tips and expert advice to ensure you can undertake this project with confidence, ease, and success.
Table of Contents
- Can You Paint Over Painted Cabinets?
- Factors to Consider Before Painting Over Painted Cabinets
- 4 FAQs About Painting Already Painted Cabinets
Can You Paint Over Painted Cabinets?
The answer is a resounding yes! With the right knowledge and the correct materials, not only is it possible, but it can also yield surprisingly stunning results.
Factors to Consider Before Painting Over Painted Cabinets
Painting over painted cabinets is not as straightforward as applying a fresh coat of paint onto bare wood. This project involves dealing with a surface that is already coated.
But fret not, this is not a task that is beyond your reach. Painting over painted cabinets isn’t an insurmountable challenge. On the contrary, it is a task that an ambitious DIYer can master with the right combination of care, patience, and technique.
Location of the Cabinets
A crucial aspect that will guide your endeavor is where your cabinets are. The strategy for painting already painted cabinets will not be the same for those tucked away in your kitchen and those gracing your bathroom.
Kitchen Cabinets
To give your kitchen cabinets a makeover, you may first need to prepare the surface. Begin by thoroughly wiping your cabinets with Trisodium Phosphate (TSP), a heavy-duty cleaning agent that will degloss and prepare your already-painted cabinets for a new coat of paint.
Follow this by lightly sanding your cabinets for mechanical adhesion — this will ensure your new paint coats adhere smoothly to the existing paint surface.
Bathroom Cabinets
While the steps for bathroom cabinets are similar, bear in mind that these cabinets are more exposed to moisture and hotter temperatures. Preparation and paint choice (particularly water-based enamel paint) are crucial to prevent paint peeling.
The Existing Paint or Lacquer
The prep work that you need to do largely depends on the condition of the existing paint or lacquer on your cabinets. You’ll need to consider both the integrity and the type of paint or lacquer.
Integrity of the Existing Paint or Lacquer
The existing paint may be in various conditions depending on its age, the number of layers, or the type of paint used.
For instance, if buttermilk paint — an antique paint that requires extensive pre-painting preparation due to its distinct properties — was used, you will have to be prepared for some additional prepping and sanding.
The Type of Existing Paint
This is where you need to become a bit of a detective and determine what type of paint is already on your cabinets. If you plan on painting over painted cabinets, the existing paint type, whether it’s oil-based or water-based, makes a difference.
Painting Over Oil-Based vs. Water-Based Paint
If your cabinets were previously dressed in water-based paint, you’re in luck. The preparatory stage here is relatively more straightforward and involves a spot of cleaning and lighting sanding before you can wield your paintbrush freely with a couple of coats of your chosen water-based paint.
But if you’re dealing with cabinets that have an oil-based or lacquer coating, you must take an extra step.
So how do you know which one it is? You need to do a little paint testing. Try wiping a small area of your cabinet with rubbing alcohol. If the paint comes off, it’s water-based. If not, you’re probably dealing with oil-based paint. In the case of oil-based paint or lacquer, a primer is necessary to ensure your new paint adheres properly.
For expert guidance, consult with professionals like Two Brothers Painting, who bring unparalleled expertise to architectural finishing and kitchen cabinet refinishing.
4 FAQs About Painting Already Painted Cabinets
#1: Is Sanding My Cabinets a Necessary Step?
The short answer is yes. In the realm of painting over painted cabinets, sanding is an indispensable step.
The level of sanding needed, however, varies greatly with the kitchen. A spick-and-span kitchen may allow you to get away with a light sanding, while a kitchen with more grease or dirt build-up will require a more thorough sanding process.
#2: Does the Type of Paint You Use Matter?
Just like with any other painting task, attaining a successful outcome largely hinges on the quality and type of paint that you use.
Generally, any premium paint type, whether latex or enamel-based, is expected to endure daily kitchen rigors and cleaning admirably.
However, several paint companies such as Benjamin Moore and Behr have specially designed products for trim and cabinet painting. These kinds of paints not only provide a leveled application ideal for cabinetry and trim but can also deliver a sleek, sophisticated finish.
It’s worth noting that gloss or semi-gloss paints are exceptional when it comes to resisting scratches and offering a long-lasting finish, making them ideal for heavy-duty areas. They also handle cleaning pretty effectively, ensuring your painted surfaces maintain their allure for a considerable period.
#3: How Long Does it Take to Paint Over Painted Cabinets?
Taking on the task of painting over painted cabinets is not a quick weekend DIY mission where you can hastily apply a standard latex paint. Sometimes painting your cabinets on your own can take up to two weeks. It necessitates the usage of suitable paint, like urethane trim enamel or latex enamel, as well as an appropriate primer.
If you’re unwilling to put in the necessary preparation time or patiently approach this DIY painting enterprise, it may not be the right project for you to tackle alone.
At Two Brothers Painting, we understand that projects like painting over painted cabinets are not just about a fresh coat of paint but also about maintaining and enhancing the life of your furniture. Our experienced staff is committed to giving each project the detailed attention it needs to make sure the job is done right.
#4: What Materials Do You Need To Paint Already Painted Cabinets?
The process of painting over painted cabinets calls for the following essentials:
- Painter’s tape: If you don’t trust yourself to paint perfect lines around corners, a roll of painter’s tape will help protect areas that you do not want to be painted.
- Paintbrushes: When painting cabinets, it’s typically recommended to use a quality synthetic brush, specifically one designed for use with your chosen type of paint. If you’re using water-based paint, a synthetic brush made of nylon or polyester can give a smooth finish. For oil-based paints, brushes with natural bristles like hog are excellent.
- Brush size: A brush around 2 to 2.5 inches in width is usually ideal for cabinets as it provides good control without being too small or too large for the workspace.
- Brush type: Angled brushes are also a good choice as they can easily reach corners and edges with precision.
- Small paint rollers: Small rollers are ideal for giving a smooth finish on large surfaces.
- Roller pans: A good roller pan will hold your paint and wet your roller evenly. If you want to minimize cleanup, try disposable rolling pans.
- Trisodium phosphate (TSP): TSP is a heavy-duty cleaning agent that is highly effective in preparing surfaces for painting, especially when those surfaces are notably dirty or greasy. TSP effectively removes grime, soot, and mildew stains with ease, ensuring you have the cleanest possible surface to work on before you start painting.
- Sandpaper: Classic sandpaper is an indispensable tool in any painting job as it serves to smooth out imperfections on the surface and contributes to creating a finer, more polished finish, thereby enhancing the adherence of the new layer of paint.
- Tack cloth: Tack cloth is a specialized type of wiping cloth that is ‘tacky’ and designed to pick up and hold onto dust particles. This makes it perfect for cleaning surfaces after sanding and before painting, ensuring a clean, dust-free surface for the best possible paint finish.
- Painting cones: Painting cones, also commonly referred to as painting pyramids, are designed to lift your project off the ground, facilitating easier painting of edges and preventing the newly-painted surfaces from sticking to the floor or getting dirty, ensuring a pristine paint job from all angles.
- Drop cloths: Drop cloths protect your floor, furniture, and other nearby items from paint drips, spills, and dust, maintaining the cleanliness of your workspace and saving you time on post-project cleanup.
- Specialized cabinet paint: This is specifically formulated to provide a durable and smooth finish on heavily used surfaces like cabinets and furniture. Its hard-wearing qualities make it more resistant to chipping, peeling, and stains, ensuring your cabinets look professionally done and remain stunningly beautiful for a long time.
How To Paint Already Painted Cabinets in 4 Steps
Step #1: Remove All Cabinet Doors and Hinges
Begin by taking off all the cabinet doors as well as the hinges. Make sure to label each door and hinge systematically to avoid confusion when reassembling. Especially for adjustable hinges, it’s vital not to mix them up, or the doors might not shut properly.
Try storing the hinges in their respective cabinets, which makes it easier to reinstall them in their precise, original location.
Step #2: Thoroughly Clean the Cabinets
It’s crucial to make sure your cabinets are clean before you start the painting process. Tackle this task by lightly sanding down the existing glossy paint finish, using no rougher than 220-grit sandpaper. Then wipe everything down with a damp sponge.
For tougher messes, remember that you can use TSP.
Step #3: Sand and Prime the Cabinets
To ensure smooth application and vibrant color, sand the cabinets one more time before priming them. For minor color changes where you’re applying water-based paint over an already water-based finish, you might not need a primer.
However, for a dramatic color transition or while painting over a solvent-based finish, a tinted primer or an oil-based bonding primer will do wonders for your cause.
Step #4: Get to Painting
Start the painting process with the cabinet doors lying flat and away from the frames. Remember, enamel paint tends to stay soft until the next day, so you either paint one side each day or employ some painting aids that allow you to paint both sides on the same day.
An angled paintbrush works wonders when it comes to covering the narrow sections of your cabinets and their front panels. A 4-inch long fabric or foam roller is recommended to paint the ample parts of the panels and frames, ensuring a flawless look throughout your cabinets. Stick to a nap thickness of about ¼ inch for the best result.
Skip the Hassle and Let Two Brothers Complete Your Cabinet Refresh for You
Repainting already-painted cabinets is certainly a project that involves a commendable amount of precision, patience, and commitment. Dealing with layers of old paint, ensuring smooth sanding, skillful priming, and reaching each narrow corner without leaving brush lines can feel overwhelming and daunting.
If your to-do list is growing or the intricacies of this project leave you hesitant, Two Brothers Painting is here, ready to ensure your cabinets receive a superior makeover without the headaches of a DIY approach. Proudly serving the Pacific Northwest, we specialize in transforming homes with expert precision, thoroughness, and a commitment to quality that is visibly present in every square inch of our work.
Trust Two Brothers Painting to take care of the complexities of this project as we refresh your cabinets with excellence.