Have you been house hunting and have found the perfect house? Do you love everything about it, except for the unfinished cabinets? Perhaps you may be remodeling on a tight budget and are too afraid to tackle the cabinets yourself.
There’s no need to worry if either of these sounds like you. In this article, we will share tips and tricks for painting cabinets, discuss the best paints to use, and why you might choose to call in the pros.
Table of Contents
- Can You Just Paint Unfinished Cabinets?
- How To Paint Unfinished Cabinets in 6 Steps
- Don’t Make This Mistake When Painting Unfinished Cabinets
- How To Paint Unfinished Kitchen Cabinets: FAQs
- What Type of Paint Is Best for Unfinished Cabinets?
- Can You Paint Unfinished Cabinets of All Types?
- How Do You Paint Unfinished Cabinets? Call the Professionals!
- Two Brothers Painting: Portland’s Interior and Exterior Painting Professionals Since 2005
Can You Just Paint Unfinished Cabinets?
It is possible to paint unfinished cabinets. In fact, unfinished cabinets make great canvases for painting or finishing.
However, before grabbing your paint brush and favorite color of paint, it’s essential to know that using specific supplies and properly preparing the surface before applying paint is vital. Do not start painting without prepping.
How To Paint Unfinished Cabinets in 6 Steps
#1: Gather Supplies
Gathering the right supplies before painting unfinished cabinets is necessary to ensure a successful and professional-looking paint job.
Double-check that you have all the necessary supplies and that they are of good quality before starting the painting process.
A few of the tools you will need to paint your cabinets include:
- Painter’s tape
- Dust mask
- Wood filler and putty knife
- Screwdriver and hardware
- Rags
- Different sizes of screwdrivers
- Sponges for sanding
- Latex Gloves
- Brown rosin paper
- Face masks
- Paint brushes and rollers
- Drop cloth or plastic sheet
- Tape
For a successful cabinet painting project with long-lasting results, high-quality materials and proper preparation are recommended.
#2: Remove Doors and Drawers
After gathering supplies, it is time to remove the cabinet’s doors and drawers. Use a screwdriver for this and ensure the screwdriver is the correct type and size for the screws you remove.
Additionally, you must remove any hardware and fittings, such as door handles and hinges.
#3: Apply Primer
Apply the first coat of wood primer using a paintbrush, roller, or combination. Generally, rollers are used for large sections of wood and paint brushes for smaller crevices, recesses, edges, and hard-to-reach areas.
Also, apply your primer according to the wood’s grain. As the bristles move across or along the surface, they will cause brush marks, ridges, and troughs, which are best concealed by brushing with the grain.
Once the primer has been applied, let it dry for at least an hour.
#4: Fill the Nail Holes & Do a Final Sanding
To begin, double-check your primer coat for any:
- Imperfections
- Nail holes; or
- Other blemishes that need to be addressed
Once you have checked your primer coat, fill nail holes with wood filler or spackling compound using a putty knife or spatula. After filling with putty, the surface should be smoothed out, removing excess filler around the hole. You must repeat this process for all the nail holes or imperfections on the cabinets, such as dents or scratches.
The final step is to sand the filler after it has dried completely. Use fine-grit sandpaper (220-grit is recommended) and a sanding block or sponge. Sand the entire surface of the cabinets, including the filler areas.
When you are finished sanding, ensure the surface is smooth and even, free of rough spots and imperfections.
#5: Paint the Cabinets
You can apply your first coat of paint with either a foam roller or a paintbrush. It is also possible to use a paint sprayer, but you probably want to leave that to professionals since sprayers are hard to handle, and you could end up with a blotched cabinet.
To keep the paint smooth and evenly applied, follow the wood grain as evenly as possible.
#6: Apply Finish
An added layer of protection and improved appearance can be achieved by applying two coats of finish to your newly painted cabinets.
A clear topcoat or protective finish should be selected. Several types of finishes are available, including:
- Water-based
- Varnishes; and
- Lacquers
The finish you select should be compatible with the paint you used on the cabinets. To be safe, before applying the finish to the entire cabinet, test it on an inconspicuous area to determine how it will affect the painted surface.
Once you are ready to apply the finish, ensure the cabinet is free of dust or debris. If needed, wipe with a tack or clean, lint-free cloth.
Apply the clear topcoat evenly to the painted cabinets using a brush or applicator suitable for your chosen finish. Work in the direction of the wood grain using the same strokes you used when painting. Smooth out any drips or runs as you go.
Apply the next coat of finish after the previous one has dried.
When you are satisfied with the finish, and it is completely dry, reattach any hardware you removed before painting.
Are you overwhelmed with the thought of painting your unfinished cabinets and would rather leave it up to the pros instead?
Let the team at Two Brothers Painting help.
With many years of experience, you can count on our team to deliver exceptional results for all your painting needs.
Don’t Make This Mistake When Painting Unfinished Cabinets
It is not recommended to caulk raised panel doors when painting unfinished cabinets.
Raised panel doors are designed to allow for a small amount of movement as the wood reacts to changes in temperature and humidity. This movement may be inhibited if you caulk the joints between the raised panels and the rails, which can cause:
- Warping
- Cracking; or
- Peeling of paint
How To Paint Unfinished Kitchen Cabinets: FAQs
What Type of Paint Is Best for Unfinished Cabinets?
Different types of paint are suitable for unfinished cabinets, depending on the type of cabinet and the desired finish.
A few of the most common paint choices include:
- Latex – Water-based and easy to clean
- Oil-based – Durable with a smooth finish; and
- Water-based alkyd – Combines the characteristics of oil and water-based
Is It Better To Spray or Roll Unfinished Cabinets?
There are several advantages to spraying your cabinets. If done correctly, it results in a smooth, consistent finish and is a faster task-completion method. A paint sprayer is the best tool for getting a factory-like finish.
Aside from getting that factory-grade finish on your cabinets, spraying them will also prevent brush marks and other inconsistencies from occurring. You often get a texture or see the brush strokes when using a brush to paint cabinets.
Should You Paint the Insides of Cabinets?
The inside of your cabinets can be painted, but it is not recommended.
There are several reasons for this, including the fact that the inside of your cabinets takes a lot of abuse. Imagine drinking glasses being moved around or pots and pans being thrown inside after being washed. You can expect your cabinets’ interiors to become unsightly with daily use and wear.
Additionally, kitchens have lots of heat and humidity due to ovens and stoves. Your cabinets may swell and sweat due to this heat and humidity. This can cause anything stacked on top of a painted cabinet to stick and pull up the paint.
Can You Paint Unfinished Cabinets of All Types?
You can; however, some unfinished wood cabinets are easier to paint than others. These types of wood include:
- Hardwood – The most common type of cabinet people paint is unfinished hardwood. Hardwood is a good surface for adhesion, and you can use a variety of paints, such as latex, oil-based, or acrylic.
- Pressed wood – Press wood products such as medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and particle board are often used for cabinets. The product is not considered a “true wood” and will quickly absorb paint. Use a high-quality primer before applying your chosen paint type to prevent uneven absorption.
- Softwood – The wood used for softwood cabinets comes from coniferous trees. To create a smooth, even base, use a high-quality softwood primer. Because of its ease of use and quick drying time, latex paint is a popular choice for softwood cabinets.
- Melamine – Melamine is a plastic that is made to look like wood. Many professionals, such as Two Brothers Painting, do not recommend painting melamine because you have to use a pricey bonding product. This is not a cost-effective option because of the product and extra expense.
How Do You Paint Unfinished Cabinets? Call the Professionals!
Call a professional if you are not ready to tackle this job by yourself.
Several reasons may make it beneficial to hire a professional to paint unfinished cabinets:
- Expertise and experience – The knowledge and experience of professional painters allow them to handle the entire painting process efficiently. They know what techniques, materials, and tools to use for the many different types of cabinets.
- Time and efficiency – Painting cabinets can take a lot of time. Professionals work efficiently and can complete the project in less time than someone new to cabinet painting.
- Quality materials and tools – A professional has access to high-quality tools and materials, which can lead to better results and a longer-lasting finish.
- Cost-effectiveness – In the long run, hiring a professional can be cost-effective. There’s no need to purchase painting supplies when a professional brings the tools of the trade with them.
- Warranty and insurance – Warranties often back the work of reputable painting professionals. In addition, they carry liability insurance, providing protection in case of accidents or injuries.
Ultimately, hiring a professional to paint unfinished cabinets can provide peace of mind and save you time and effort while delivering a high-quality result that enhances the beauty and value of your house.
Two Brothers Painting: Portland’s Interior and Exterior Painting Professionals Since 2005
Ensure any painting service you hire has a good reputation and a history of satisfied customers by researching and reading reviews before hiring them.
Two Brothers Painting provides the highest quality cabinet refinishing services across the Portland, OR, metro area and Washington. Our team can help you create the exact look you desire, whether it is an old-world tradition or a modern look.
Two Brothers Painting stands out due to our:
- Exceptional skills
- Commitment to customer satisfaction; and
- Wealth of experience
In addition, as a family-run business, Two Brothers Painting offers responsive, reliable service.
Contact us today to schedule an estimate.