Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets in Time for the Holidays

The holidays are coming and your home will soon be filled with friends and family sharing all the joy of the season. Your kitchen is the heart of your home. But is it as warm and inviting as it could be? Take your kitchen cabinets, for example. Are they worn and dingy? Don’t replace them – give them a dash of holiday cheer with a fresh coat of paint.

Painting kitchen cabinets is a quick and easy do-it-yourself project. Just be sure to allow enough time for the primer and paint to dry thoroughly between coats. Ready to get started? Visit your local True Value store for all the tools and materials you need. There you can browse the selection of Idea Cards that provide inspiring color combinations. Our Certified Color Experts® can also offer personalized color suggestions and advice. Then follow these simple steps to make your kitchen cabinets more cheerful for the holidays.

Step 1. Remove Cabinet Hardware and Protect Surrounding Areas 
Use a screwdriver to remove all cabinet handles and knobs, as well as any magnets used for closure. Place old newspapers on the countertops to protect them from paint drips and spills. If you'll be painting the bottom cabinets, place newspapers on the floor as well.

• You won't be removing the cabinet doors, so it's not necessary to remove the hinges. You can paint them to match the cabinets or keep them their original color (if so, protect them with painter's tape before you get started).

Step 2. Clean and Prepare Cabinets 
Use TSP (trisodium phosphate) to clean and prepare the surfaces to be painted. TSP comes in powder form so mix it with water in a bucket, following manufacturer's directions. Dip a sponge in the solution and wash the doors, the cabinet facade and the front and sides of the cabinet. Allow everything to dry, then sand with coarse grit sandpaper until the shiny surfaces are dull. Your goal is to give the surfaces a rough texture so the primer and paint get a good grip.

• What's TSP? It's a cleanser used to remove dirt and prepare surfaces for painting. It slightly etches the surface, resulting in better primer and paint adhesion. TSP doesn't leave residue behind, like dish soap.
• Sandpaper is available in a range of grit or coarseness, ranging from very course to very fine. This range is numbered, with the smaller numbers corresponding to coarse papers and the larger numbers corresponding to fine papers. A good coarse paper is number 80, while a good fine paper for this project ranges from 200 to 300.

Step 3. Prime Cabinets 
Use a roller to apply primer to the front and back of the doors, followed by the cabinets and then the cabinet facade. If you wish to paint the underside of the cabinet, prime it now. Use a brush to reach any areas where the roller won't fit, including the hinges if you'll be painting them.

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• Don't prime or paint the doors when they're closed – you'll risk ruining the paint or having the doors stick to the cabinet façade. Instead, hold the doors open with the tip of your finger while you paint. Open them all the way and allow to dry overnight.

• The fumes from paint and primer can be strong so be sure to open windows or doors for adequate ventilation. Or use a fan in the room.
• Keep all materials and equipment away from children and pets.
• If you use a ladder make sure it's stable before you climb.

Step 4. Paint the First Coat
To apply the first coat of latex paint, follow the same method you used for priming. Your cabinets get a lot of use (and abuse), so choose a paint made to withstand everyday use like True Value EasyCare® paint. Again, leave the cabinet doors open and allow the paint to dry overnight.

Step 5. Do a Partial Cleanup
Now's the time to clean your tools so you can use them again. Pour some paint thinner into a can and let the brush soak overnight. Place the roller sleeve in a zip-lock bag and remove as much air as possible before you close it. Pour any excess paint back into the can and close it tightly.

Step 6. Apply a Final Coat
When everything is completely dry, apply the final coat of paint.

• Before you apply the final coat of paint, use fine grit sandpaper to sand any bubbles that formed in the first coat of paint. Be sure to use a very gentle touch — otherwise, you may remove too much paint.
• Since you now know where your roller can't reach, do the brushwork first, then use the roller.
• Treat the cabinets with care for the next few weeks — even though they may be dry, the paint can still get scratched.

Step 7. Final Cleanup
Use paint thinner to clean the brush and the roller handle. Throw away the roller sleeve and tray liner.

• Some states don't allow you to pour used paint thinner down the drain, so be aware of local regulations for its disposal.

Your work is done so give yourself a pat on the back. And have a wonderful holiday.

For more projects, go to TrueValuePaint.com. >

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