Painting a Kitchen Masterpiece
(part one of a kitchen renovation series)

by: Liz Roberts

Want to do something creative and long lasting this holiday season?

Well you could make decorative pine cone wreaths or foam snowmen.

Or you could just paint or stain your kitchen cabinets. This is a highly satisfying project that will bring life to your kitchen. Not only that it will make the cooking area look presentable as a holiday gathering place. You’ll get rid of drabness with a fresh new color or rich wood stain. Doing it yourself not only save money but gives you the power to paint your cabinets the way you want.

Before starting on your project take a good look at your cabinets and countertops. If the woodwork is just looking scruffy, then consider a paint or stain job. If you’re completely unhappy then it’s time for refacing and new counters tops(which will be discussed in the next article about kitchen remodeling). Think about what is best for your kitchen before handling the job yourself or contracting a professional.

Kitchen cabinets can be painted in either oil or latex. Oil based paints dry fast and last long. They will give your cabinets a hard, glossy look that will not chip or fade easily. However they do produce noxious fumes so be very careful when working with them. This is not a paint to use if you or someone in your family has breathing or allergy problems. Latex paints are better choice. They clean up easily and do not produce any fumes. The down side is they may take up to two to three weeks to fully dry which can get in the way of your schedule. If going with latex, make sure it is a durable acrylic that will last up to many years.

Cabinet painting allows you to use a spray can or a brush. A sprayed on finish is arguably the faster way to go, however walls and counter tops must be covered to guard from splatters. Also this is not recommended in homes with young children or pets. Either can walk into the kitchen and wind up being painted as well. Many homeowners opt for the old fashioned method – the paint brush (do not use rollers for cabinet painting. They will leave marks) You can also use artist’s brushes if you’re stenciling or painting freehand designs or motifs.

Remember to make sure that your cabinets’ surfaces are thoroughly prepped and ready. Remove doors , drawers and all hardware. Also mark your doors and drawers in inconspicuous areas to avoid mix ups later on. Strip your cabinets to the bare wood. Although this is time consuming, it makes for a better finish for the paint coats. It also prevents a potential adhesion problem between the old finish and the new paint. Start the stripping process by using 150 to 180 grit sandpaper. The residue or sanding dust should be removed with a tack cloth or a soft cloth that’s been dampened with mineral spirits (a paint solvent).

You can also prep your cabinets with a simple but thorough cleaning. Use your household cleanser then follow with a light sanding. If your cabinets have hard to remove stains, then step up the cleaning with a stronger soap that contains trisodium phosphate (TSP). This is sold at any do it yourself or paint store. Since this is a stronger than usual cleanser, use rubber gloves at all times. The next step is a good rinsing with clean water. You can then wipe or air dry. This is now the time to take care of nicks and dings. Fill these with a non-shrinking putty for a smoother surface. You can sand again afterwards, using the same grit sandpaper as before. If you have stripped your cabinets to the bare wood, use a special type of primer known as an underbody. This liquid fills minor surface imperfections. Apply this and let dry, and then sand again. Wipe away any residue. Now you’re ready to paint. If using latex, go with synthetic non-absorbent bristle brushes. Use natural bristle brushes if you’re going with oil. Layer on two coats are fine however three coats provide a richer look plus it’s longer lasting.

Staining is another option, especially if you like the look of richly hued wood. Before even doing this, you have to determine what is your cabinets’ wood grade. If you have oak or hickory then you have what’s considered hard. Pine cabinets have a soft grade which is perfect for staining due to its’ absorbency, Also adjust your final color choice to match the shade. Do a test on a door’s interior or a sample piece of similar wood. Remember to take into consideration the grain orientation as well. Knowing what grain your cabinets have helps to achieve a uniform color throughout. Grains can have what is known as parallel surface orientation. These are long, smooth lines that curve together and meet at one end. This is the hardest to stain because it is the least absorbent. Another grain, the parallel end grain is found along the edges of the surface and has lines that do not meet. This is somewhat more absorbing than the parallel surface ones. The third and last type is the cross grain. Cross grain surfaces are located at the ends of the parallel surface grains where the wood is cut perpendicular to the direction of the tree where the wood came from. Do not stain too heavily around the cross grains. These are the most sponge like and will soak up all the liquid. The result could be cabinet doors with black ends.

Again as with paining, you need to sand down your cabinets. After stripping the surface use what is known as an Emery cloth(a soft durable cloth that has been dusted with a coating of garnet or quartz) to sand the surface. If your cabinets are rough, you may have to use a power sander to get the surface desired. Remember to sand in the direction of the grain because sanding of any sorts leaves tiny grooves in the wood. Afterwards dust the surface with a soft dust brush to remove any sawdust. For staining use an all purpose Chinese brush or staining brush. Apply the stain , using long, smooth strokes. Brush or rub it out to even out the color (not that your cabinets have a dark, splotchy look to them).

Seal the stain in with oil, a combination of oil and wax or lacquer. The most recommended is the oil and wax using a paste wax.. This produces a hand polished type of finish that is long lasting and dirt resistant.

A new paint or stain can do wonders on your old kitchen cabinets. This is the least expensive way to makeover your kitchen this holiday season. It is also creative and satisfying – good for you and your house.