Steps to Achieve a Smooth Finish For Your Kitchen Cabinets in Newtown, PA
Painting kitchen cabinets is a fantastic way to give your kitchen a fresh, updated look without the expense of replacing them.
However, achieving a smooth, professional finish can be tricky if not done correctly.
So, if you’re currently scouring the internet for a guide to help you achieve this, you’re in the right place!
Without further ado, here are Steps to Achieve a Smooth Finish When Painting Your Kitchen Cabinets.
Step 1: Get The Right Materials
Using high-quality tools and materials is essential for achieving a smooth, even finish. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Screwdriver or drill (for removing cabinet doors and hardware)
- Sandpaper (120-220 grit) or an orbital sander
- Degreaser or TSP (trisodium phosphate) cleaner
- Painter’s tape and plastic sheets
- Primer (bonding primer for cabinets)
- Paint (semi-gloss, satin, or enamel paint)
- High-quality paintbrushes (angled for edges) and foam rollers
- Drop cloths to protect the area
Step 2: Remove Cabinet Doors, Drawers, and Hardware
To achieve an even coat, it’s important to remove all doors, drawers, and hardware such as knobs and hinges.
You’ll want to label each piece to ensure everything returns to the correct place before finally laying them flat in a well-ventilated area where you can paint them without interruptions.
Step 3: Clean Thoroughly to Remove Grease and Grime
Kitchen cabinets are prone to grease buildup, which can prevent paint from adhering properly.
To address this, you’ll want to use a degreaser or TSP cleaner to remove any dirt, oils, or stains.
After this, make sure to properly rinse the solution off with water and let the surface dry completely, before moving on to the next step.
Step 4: Sand the Cabinets for Better Adhesion
You should know that sanding is essential for a smooth, long-lasting paint finish.
Ideally, you should be using a 120-grit sandpaper to remove the top layer of the existing finish, making the surface slightly rough for the primer to grip.
If the cabinets have heavy varnish or gloss, consider using an orbital sander for faster results.
After sanding, wipe the cabinets with a damp cloth or tack cloth to remove all dust, to ensure that there will be no contaminants for your fresh coat of paint.
Step 5: Apply a High-Quality Primer
To achieve a smooth paint finish for your kitchen cabinets, you should never skip the primer application.
Primer is crucial for good paint adhesion and to prevent any old or stubborn stains from bleeding through your fresh coat of paint.
Primer is crucial for good adhesion and prevents stains from bleeding through the paint.
More importantly, the primer will ensure that you’re going to be painting on a smooth, clean surface – which eventually results in a smooth paint finish.
Step 6: Sand Between Coats of Primer and Paint
After the primer has dried, lightly sand the cabinets with 220-grit sandpaper to eliminate any brush strokes or uneven areas.
You’ll also want to do this after every coat of paint, to ensure that every coat adheres well to the surface, resulting in a smooth, silky finish.
Wipe the surfaces clean before moving to the painting stage. Sanding is essential to ensure that your paint adheres well to the primed surface, resulting in a smooth finish.
Step 7: Apply the Paint in Thin, Even Layers
While it can be tempting to rush your painting process by simply applying one thick layer of paint on your cabinets, this is the kind of thinking that will get you abysmal results.
Instead, you’ll want to apply your paint in thin, even layers to get smoother results.
Typically, 2-3 coats of paint are needed for complete coverage, but here are more tips to remember:
- Use a Foam Roller: For large, flat areas, a foam roller ensures a smooth finish without brush marks.
- Brush for Edges and Corners: An angled brush helps you reach tight spots and corners.
- Allow Adequate Drying Time: Let each coat dry thoroughly before applying the next one to prevent bubbling or streaking.
Just know that you should avoid rushing the process— remember that patience is key to achieving a smooth finish!
Step 8: Reassemble the Cabinets and Attach Hardware
Once the final coat has dried completely, it’s time to reassemble the cabinets.
You can now reattach the doors, drawers, and other hardware guided by the labels you created earlier.
You might also want to consider replacing old knobs or handles with new hardware for an additional design upgrade.
Additionally, even though the paint may feel dry to the touch, it needs time to cure properly.
So, avoid heavy use of the cabinets for at least a week to prevent smudges or dents, just until the paint is fully cured!
If you need professional help with your interior/exterior painting project, PAINT Philadelphia can help.
Our home interior/exterior painting services are available in Newtown, Holland, and Richboro, PA.
Call us today at (267)682-8377 for a FREE painting estimate.
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