Hey everyone! My wife and I just got a new house and finished installing hardwood floors. Now, she wants to tackle painting the kitchen cabinets green, both inside and out, and we're planning to switch out all the hardware too. I've never painted cabinets before, but I love DIY projects. I picked up some BIN primer, and I have a couple of questions:
1. Do I really need to sand the cabinets before priming, or can I just clean them and apply the primer? The instructions say sanding isn't necessary.
2. For application, should I go with brush and roller, or is it worth the hassle to spray both the primer and the paint? Any advice would be awesome!
2 Answers
If your cabinets are just stained plywood, you can skip sanding if you clean them really well. A solid clean is key, especially around grease-prone spots like the stove. That said, sanding can help the primer stick better and give you a nicer finish! Also, make sure you're using a good quality top coat made for cabinets. I had great results using Rust-Oleum's cabinet refinishing kit, but if you're aiming for that high-end look, spraying is your best option. Just be ready for a lot of prep work if you go that route!
Definitely spotlessly clean is the way to go! If you want your paint to last, give those cabinets a good scrub to remove any grease. Sanding does help with getting a good surface for bonding, which can make a difference in the durability and look. My tip: remove all the doors and hardware before starting for a cleaner job. As for application, if you can, practice spraying on some sample pieces first—it'll help you avoid brush strokes and runs. And yep, this process will take longer than you expect!
Good call on practicing! Getting the right paint really helps too, so you're already on the right track. Good luck, and enjoy the project!