Painting kitchen cabinets
by
CK
+24
I've painted kitchen cabinets/doors before but now have another HUGE kitchen budget redo project possibly in the works. Gotta wipe that 80's smile off the face of these ;-) Have any of you painted kitchen cabinets without removing the doors? Did it save you any time? Thanks.
UPDATE: Hey HT readers......I have painted kitchen cabinets before with great results. I'd love your input if you have ever done this yourself WITHOUT taking off doors. (Yes, with my other projects I've removed the doors and super cleaned and primed and painted with high quality projects. The process isn't the question. I'm wondering about the possibility of not removing the doors. :-) Thanks! I do know of one blogger who painted her entire kitchen cabinets with ASCP and did not remove doors. But I'm planning on latex primer and paint.)
UPDATE: Hey HT readers......I have painted kitchen cabinets before with great results. I'd love your input if you have ever done this yourself WITHOUT taking off doors. (Yes, with my other projects I've removed the doors and super cleaned and primed and painted with high quality projects. The process isn't the question. I'm wondering about the possibility of not removing the doors. :-) Thanks! I do know of one blogger who painted her entire kitchen cabinets with ASCP and did not remove doors. But I'm planning on latex primer and paint.)
15 answers
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I've never painted kitchen cabinets but from what I've seen around here, yours could be spectacular! What color are you thinking?
C-lo
on Jul 07, 2015
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Wow....I'm in the same boat w/the exact same kitchen cabinets ! I want a "French Vanilla Custard' color w/an antique Olive or Slate color inset to highlight the lines. My Granite needs to be the Superstar. I'm going to do the L-shaped "island" part in a bold (metallic perhaps) Graphite, or Military Green color. I see we have the exact same hardware too! Some painters love the existing hardware, and some assume I'm replacing it. Who's right ?! I've had 7 bids with wide $$ ranges Gotta say from experience--painters are a different breed of cat, which is fine if they give me their best work. Finding 1 who is artistically talented, with organized business sense is rare. Doing a Total remodel of my home-not just kitchen is a character builder. Its been almost a full yr now on my great home, and now I'm in a slump. My creativity has gone blank, and I'd like to get the passion back. Its a lull that makes me procrastinate! Anyone else have this happen? Thanks for letting me heart-speak.
Nancy B
on Jul 07, 2015
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Painted cabinets look lovely. But for a smooth and lovely surface, you need to wipe everything down with a grease remover, no matter how clean you think your kitchen is.
La Habra Fence Company
on Jul 07, 2015
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I speak from experience when I say if you want the job done right and to last then you absolutely have to take the doors off because you need to sand every single surface first. The sealant on those kitchen cabinets will not let anything adhere well for any length of time. I know there are paints out there that claim you can paint over anything without sanding, however it won't last especially in a kitchen where you get grease and other soils. You have to be able to clean the cabinets so whatever you put on there must be washable without coming off. It will be a tedious process but you will be very glad you did so in the end (just make sure you have invested in a quality power sander). Good luck with your project.
Kimberly A
on Jul 07, 2015
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Oh I'm so looking forward to what you do with this bright open kitchen!We had a 'yellowed' oak kitchen and hired pro's to paint the cabinets because we really wanted them to look right. I'm so glad we did they came out beautifully and at a fraction of the cost of new cabinets. I'm pretty good at painting but the kitchen is really the heart and major focal point of your home. That being said if you do want to venture this on your own and are experienced with the paint sprayer, like @Kimberly A wrote take the doors off. Do you even have a place you could take the doors to to have them sprayed and you can paint the rest yourself. Also as @La Habra Fence Company wrote they have to be properly cleaned, but also primed. Also keep in mind, the wood grain will show through, so do you want wood grain on a dark or light colour? Take a look online at 'painted oak cabinets' to get a feel. We opted for black coffee.4 more touches that will take the 80's out-remove the top rail-install mdf crown molding on top-it will paint out nicely with your cabinets-change hardware, it looks like your hinges are hidden so lucky you, just the pulls!-change the light fixtures
Fab and Pretty
on Jul 07, 2015
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I did kitchen redo's for a business before I retired. You can use "Liquid Sandpaper rather than sanding them. Be sure you use a good paint such as Behr, or for a more durable paint, select your color and have it mixed into a Rustolium base. Go to my post on Hometalk "I am proud of my kitchen" to see my 1970's kitchen redo. I also added wanescotting and trim and then painted them. It is a must to take the doors off. Leaving them on creates more work of having to paint around the hinges. Not fun!!
Patty S
on Jul 07, 2015
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I have done my own kitchen cabinets several times and can tell you that from my experience, it's better to take the doors off. The frustration and time you waste trying to paint around the hardware isn't worth it. Also, I agree with the liquid sandpaper, it's a great alternative to sanding them down.
The Redesign Habit
on Jul 07, 2015
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I used the chalk paint on my kitchen cabinets but I used TSP to clean first.. no sanding. Wish I had tried the liquid sandpaper. Anyway the paint is holding up real good and I agree with Kimberly A., ...just wipe it down when splatters occur, I think that's true with just about any stain on stuff! I did remove all the doors - it is a nightmare putting them back, especially if you change the hinges. So I guess either way, if you're a patient painter and don't mind the hard part getting around the hinges or putting them back. Just remember to label them it you take them off. BTW, I didn't even use a wax on top but I did use a glaze and mine look great. Good luck.
Tracy C
on Jul 08, 2015
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Hi Connie, I will try to get those pics up between today & tomorrow. I have alot of stuff that I have to get done and I need to find the "before" pics and take pics of the "after". I'll have some more to say on my project too! o.k ttyl
Tracy C
on Jul 08, 2015
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There Is no way I would paint those beautiful wood cabinets in the photo. The wood grain is gorgeous and much easier to keep clean that painted ones. Once you do you cant go back!
Ponda Rogers Pharr
on Jul 09, 2015
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I have done it with ASCP. I removed 2 sets of doors only - for open shelves ~ to REALLY wipe the 1970's out of the kitchen (along with the paint). We needed it done in a weekend, and it worked fine. The hope is to go back and paint the inside of the cupboard doors soon. We painted the hardware - which is very doable with ASCP, not so sure with latex -- painting around it (uness it is hidden) could be the issue for you, as well as if there is enough space to get your brush between the doors. I would TOTALLY paint those cabinets. Everybody has different taste - and I respect that. If your heart (and eyes) are telling you that aesthetically you need to see them painted - paint away and love them!
Passionately Grounded
on Jul 10, 2015
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We cleaned the cabinets with TSP, removed all doors and hardware, primed then painted off-white. Next step is a clear coat to prevent chipping and aid in cleaning.
Janis
on Jul 14, 2015
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Hi I just did mine and used General Finishes Milk paint on the lowers and love it. No sanding, went on super easy. On the uppers I used regular paint and had to prime three coats. I Did leave the doors on because I had trouble getting them off. I am now going back with a tiny brush to paint around the hinges.. I had no problem with drips leaving the doors on, just kept checking. I also did my laundry room with General Finishes, love it. Good luck
Arlene
on Jul 14, 2015
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I think the only way leaving the doors up while painting would save any time is if the hinges are not visible from the outside and you don't have plans to paint the inside of the doors. Can't tell from the pic if the hinges are visible when the doors are closed. I've painted cabinets both ways. I left doors on one time. Experience is the best teacher, and I experienced enough aggravation with the "time saving" shortcut to have learned, never again. The job of taping off the hinges is painstaking and time consuming (and you'll always land up with spots that didn't get perfectly masked that require touchups, which then require remedial touching up to fix the not so perfect initial touchup. Rinse and repeat.) Time saver? Not so much. Even if you're counting on a really steady hand instead of tape, you'll still have oopses, and then there's the issue of getting a seamless finish around the hinges where you're changing direction with your brush. Bottom line, whichever way you do it, it's going to take a lot of time. So you might as well choose the way that doesn't require you to be on a ladder or on your knees. It's a beautiful kitchen and it will be gorgeous when you're through. Good luck on the house!
Kate
on Jul 14, 2015
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I have a book by Rachel Ashwell, the founder of Shabby Chic. She had one of her homes completely painted white. In the kitchen she had them paint right over the hinges. Guess if you want the shabby look, painting hinges and having the paint eventually come off, wouldn't be so bad. NOTE: We decided not to put an offer on the house. Just too many conflicts with it. ...unless it really drops in price. Then we might revisit our decision about putting in an offer. And...yes, I still would be looking at painting the cabinets. ;) So for now the Oak Police can go look for someone else. LOL! ;-)
CK
on Jul 14, 2015
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