It they’re finished in melamine (plasticized paper applied at the factory) then they’ll need “kid gloves”.
Thats because sanding them can expose the MDF under the “foil”. If that happens, you’ll need a stain blocking & binding primer, after cleaning them with TSP & hand wiping away the TSP with rubbing alcohol.
Make sure they are clean and dry. Remove the doors and hardware. Mark the doors and cabinets with tape where they go. Lightly sand the doors and cabinets to remove any gloss and roughen the surface for paint with 220-grit sandpaper. Use a tack cloth or damp rag to remove dust after sanding. Prime with a stain blocking primer like KILZ. Acrylic, or water-base, paints are low-fume and clean up easily with water. Alkyd, or oil-base, paints require good ventilation because the paint contains solvents that can irritate your lungs and make you feel sick. Alkyd options require mineral spirits for cleanup, but they provide a hard, durable paint finish. Whichever you use, buy the best-quality paint you can afford for a lasting kitchen cabinet finish. Seal with at least three coats with a water based polyurethane. Use a small foam roller and foam brush for a smooth finish.
I was wondering if you could help me with something -- I have an entirely oak kitchen. I know it's the rage now to paint or gel stain cabinets. I've been considering ...
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It they’re finished in melamine (plasticized paper applied at the factory) then they’ll need “kid gloves”.
Thats because sanding them can expose the MDF under the “foil”. If that happens, you’ll need a stain blocking & binding primer, after cleaning them with TSP & hand wiping away the TSP with rubbing alcohol.
I would then use two full coats of latex enamel.
How to Paint Cabinets
Make sure they are clean and dry. Remove the doors and hardware. Mark the doors and cabinets with tape where they go. Lightly sand the doors and cabinets to remove any gloss and roughen the surface for paint with 220-grit sandpaper. Use a tack cloth or damp rag to remove dust after sanding. Prime with a stain blocking primer like KILZ. Acrylic, or water-base, paints are low-fume and clean up easily with water. Alkyd, or oil-base, paints require good ventilation because the paint contains solvents that can irritate your lungs and make you feel sick. Alkyd options require mineral spirits for cleanup, but they provide a hard, durable paint finish. Whichever you use, buy the best-quality paint you can afford for a lasting kitchen cabinet finish. Seal with at least three coats with a water based polyurethane. Use a small foam roller and foam brush for a smooth finish.
Here is a tutorial for painting mobile home cabinets https://www.re-fabbed.com/mobile-home-cabinet-makeover/
Take one of the cabinet doors to the paint dept. of your home improvement store and ask for their advice on materials to use.
This might help: https://thehoneycombhome.com/painting-kitchen-cabinets/