? about painting kitchen cabinets

[mkbt]

I have read a lot about painting kitchen cabinets, and I want to start this week, but I still wanted to ask a few questions:

1. Is it better to degloss or just sand before priming? What kind of sandpaper should I get? I heard 220 grit was best- is that all I need?
2. What is the best kind of brush to use? (I am going to brush rather than buy a sprayer)
3. What sheen should I get for the paint? I would like them to have a shiny, wipeable finish, so I was going to go with gloss.
4. Any other tips/suggestions for me?

[simpsongal]

1. I think sanding is sufficient, but I think you're going to need a more course sandpaper than 220. I started w/150.

2. I used cheaper nylon brushes to apply the primer. For the actual paint I used a "best" Purdy soft nylon brush (2.5" I think). I probably used 5 brushes for the whole project.

3. I went w/BM Advance high gloss. I would prefer satin but I was afraid it wouldn't hold up as well. My cabinets wipe down nicely. If you're going w/a color, be aware that the tone looks a bit different in a high gloss finish.

4. Zinnser's oil based primer for latex topcoat. I recommend a light sanding w/fine sandpaper after priming. Try to use the cabinets very gently for the first 2-3 weeks. And don't put the hardware back on for a few days. Also, wash the brush often. You can paint for 4-5 hours straight, but the brush will get gummy and you'll probably have to get a new one.
ETA: One more thing, have some caulk on hand for any gapping or imperfect areas.

[Susie]

1. I just sanded, no de-glossing. It seems to have been sufficient. Starting with 220 grit would be a nightmare though. Use something coarser, at least at first, to get through the old finish and the inevitable grime that on kitchen cabinets (especially near the stove, etc.). I don't remember what I used, maybe 80, 100, 120...? Then you can go over it with 220 (if you even need that fine of grain) after you've gotten the bulk of the sanding done.

2. I used the same brushes I use for trim, walls, etc. Angled, good quality, 1.5" or 2" brushes. I also used small foam rollers which saved a lot of time.

3. I did gloss in the kitchen. It's holding up a lot better than the satin that I used in a bathroom (on a vanity). I'd probably have preferred the look of semi-gloss, but the gloss is holding up really well (it's 2 years old).

4. Be prepared for it to take a long time. It's a tedious process. Also, after you finish painting give it a week or two to cure before you re-hang the doors. "Dry" isn't good enough; you'll get some sticking and the paint could peel if it's not cured hard.

[mrs.jacinthe]

1. Is it better to degloss or just sand before priming? What kind of sandpaper should I get? I heard 220 grit was best- is that all I need? I did both. I sanded with 80 grit, deglossed, primed, sanded lightly with 150 grit, painted the 1st coat, sanded with 220 grit, painted the 2nd coat, sanded with 300 grit, then painted the 3rd coat. Does this make me obsessive? Maybe, but the finish looked great.
2. What is the best kind of brush to use? (I am going to brush rather than buy a sprayer) I used a foam roller for the big sections, then went over it with a dry brush to get the brushed look. Brushing on paint in that quantity will take forever, FYI. My favorite brush is a Purdy "sash" brush with the angled edge and a short handle (because I find it easier to maneuver). I think it's 2.5" wide.
3. What sheen should I get for the paint? I would like them to have a shiny, wipeable finish, so I was going to go with gloss. Gloss is fine, but if you're going to brush, be aware that unless you add floetrol or whatever the current paint "smoother" is, you'll be able to see the brush marks. So if you're going for truly smooth, you might be better with semi-gloss. Also, use an enamel-type paint, whether you go with oil or latex.
4. Any other tips/suggestions for me? Be prepared for it to take longer than you think it will, but be patient. It won't look good if you rush it. If you're taking the doors off, you can either put eye-hooks in the top or bottom (whichever will be less noticeable when rehung) and hang them from a clothesline or fishing line when you paint (so you can get both sides) or use painters pyramids. But if you go with the pyramids, be aware that the doors will take 2x as long as the cabinets. Also, be sure to let the cabinets and doors dry for at LEAST a week before you put the doors back on. Otherwise, there may be some "sticking."

Read more: pandce.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=homegarden&action=display&thread=14862#ixzz1ww4GzU3a

[sugardumpling]

such a good post. When we first moved in, we sanded and white washed the cabinets. Now I want to paint them and will def refer back to this post. Thanks for the tips folks.

[simpsongal]

Jun 5, 2012 10:22:20 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

1. I think sanding is sufficient, but I think you're going to need a more coarse sandpaper than 220. I started w/150.

2. I used cheaper nylon brushes to apply the primer. For the actual paint I used a "best" Purdy soft nylon brush (2.5" I think). I probably used 5 brushes for the whole project.

3. I went w/BM Advance high gloss. I would prefer satin but I was afraid it wouldn't hold up as well. My cabinets wipe down nicely. If you're going w/a color, be aware that the tone looks a bit different in a high gloss finish.

4. Zinnser's oil based primer for latex topcoat. I recommend a light sanding w/fine sandpaper after priming. Try to use the cabinets very gently for the first 2-3 weeks. And don't put the hardware back on for a few days. Also, wash the brush often. You can paint for 4-5 hours straight, but the brush will get gummy and you'll probably have to get a new one.
ETA: One more thing, have some caulk on hand for any gapping or imperfect areas.