I want to repaint my kitchen cabinets should I use a kit?

Kat
by Kat
I have seen several posts about different ways of doing this and at the moment I am stuck with "honey oak" colored builders grade cabinets and I want something different. I have seen the kits but I am wondering if it's easier to buy milk or chalk paint and use that?

  6 answers
  • Everything will require a process in order for it to stick and not wear off. I used Rustoleum's Cabinet Transformations kit and it's holding up well. You can see my process here: https://humboldtartdept.blogspot.com/2015/09/kitchen-cabinets-black.html

  • Tiffany Tiffany on Jul 06, 2018

    ive actually heard that the chalk paint doesn’t hold up long term. I wouldn’t want to do all that work and then 6mo or even a year later it’s starts peeling or chipping. I’m actually in the process of redoing my bathroom vanity. I did a lot of research and my husbands parents actually own a cabinet making company so Ive even asked their advice. Ofcourse I’m on a budget but don’t believe in cutting corners Either. Here’s what I’ve done so far and some pics...


    -cut out side bottom of vanity where there was water damage replaced side of it with a 2x6 cut to fit and then covered the whole side with that pvc wainscoting stuff you can get from Lowe’s or HD.


    -next took of doors and drawers and cleaned with tsp solution and then gave light sanding with 180 grit

    -depending on if you want the wood grain to show after you paint or not, you can then decide to use a wood grain filler. I wanted to order aquacoat but because I had white wood filler on hand and plan to paint cabinet white I used that. I squeezed some in a small bowl added some water to make it more plyable and used credit card and my finger to fill in all grain and any dents from damage over the years. Gave a full 24hrs for grain filler to dry before sanding with 220. You can do another coat if you prefer to.

    -using Behr alkyd enamel in a semi-gloss

    had to order online since our HD didn’t carry it in store but was about $40/gallon. I didn’t want to have to paint and then worry about going over them with a finish. To get the protection I wanted, this seemed like 2nd best. I have oak in my kitchen too so this will be a great way to test this product personally to see if I would like to go forward with a huge project like that. I’m pretty confident that if you prep the cabinets well, by cleaning and sanding and priming, and use a quality paint you will have a good outcome. But I personally, I would not use those kits. If you take your time & do it with a good paint you may raise the value of your home. Your oak cabinets will hold more value as is, if your just going to cut corners and use subpar products.


    Ill post my full project on here once I finally get done with it. I bought a new vanity top, sink,faucet,& hardware to complete it! Good luck with your kitchen and let me know if you have any question! Happy painting!!


    if anyone has any tips/concerns about the process I’m taking free free to share your knowledge😊

  • William William on Jul 06, 2018

    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 120- to 220-grit sandpaper. Use a tack cloth or damp rag to remove dust after sanding. Prime with a stain blocking primer like Zinsser 123, KILZ,or BIN and have it tinted to the color of the top coat. This will prevent dark or stained surfaces from showing through the top coat. 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.

    • Kat Kat on Jul 06, 2018

      Thank you William for this information. I am looking into General Finishes products for the look I want. Have you ever used any of their products?

  • Gk Gk on Jul 06, 2018

    You can prime with a primer and use a acrylic latex paint in an enamel finish. You can get it in a low VOC so it is not so smelly. You do not need to seal this a poly. It wears well and washes up well. I painted my kitchen cabinets 4 years ago and they still look like new.


  • William William on Jul 06, 2018

    I have not but a lot of Hometalkers have and are very happy with the products and results.

  • Donna Donna on Jul 06, 2018

    I purchased the Rustoleum kitchen cabinet kit on sale for $40. To cover my old Honey Oak cabinets in an off-white color. I found the hardest part is you must use a primer, and not just one coat as the honey oak can bleed through in 6 months leaving a yellow stain, also the primer was not included in the kit and was $8 a can and took 3 cans for a small kitchen. I called the company and they were very helpful in helping me get the job done right. This was not an easy job, the primer that was needed to do the job was very hard to use, a used a mask to breathe, When it came to the door I waited until they could be done outside. Once the primer was finished the painting and finish coat was fast and easy.