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The kitchen is the heart of the home, so it is no wonder that making the space your own is so important. If your kitchen isn't quite what you would like it to be, you might be wondering how you can change it up. Replacing the cabinet doors and drawers is an expensive job, and is often not necessary if there is nothing wrong with them. Spray painting kitchen cabinets can transform your kitchen into a completely new space, and it isn't actually that difficult to do! Read on to find out how to spray paint cabinets and transform your kitchen at a fraction of the price.
The average cost of a new kitchen is around £3,500. Even the cheaper option of replacing the cabinet doors and drawers alone is still between £500 and £1,000, depending on the size of your kitchen.
In contrast, repainting your kitchen cabinets yourself will usually run to less than £150. If you enjoy DIY projects, this will be perfect for you. And even if you don't, it is surprisingly easy and doesn't take as long as you might think!
Delve into: Can You Spray Paint High Gloss Kitchen Doors?
The first thing you need to do is remove the cabinet doors and drawers. Remember to remove cabinet hardware as well and store it in bags. Make sure each door and bag is clearly marked so you can put them back in the right places later. This will save you from having to spend time readjusting the doors so that they hang properly.
If you have the space outside, ideally a covered patio or something similar, it will be easier to paint the doors and drawers there. Raising them on a sawhorse will give you the perfect access to all sides, but you can also fashion something similar with two pieces of 2x4 and some blocks or paint tins. Any stable surface that raises the door but leaves enough gaps for you to work will be perfect.
You should always take safety precautions when painting, and especially when using spray paint. Make sure you are wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), such as safety glasses or goggles, gloves, a hat, non-slip footwear that offers some toe protection, and a dust mask or respirator.
If you are painting inside, you need to make sure that the room is well-ventilated. Open all the doors and windows to get a decent flow of air inside the room.
Before painting any wood surface, you should check for holes (including nail and screw holes) and cracks. If you are replacing the handles or knobs and the new ones have different screw placements, you should fill the original holes as well.
Use wood filler and a putty knife to fill the holes and cracks, making sure that you create a smooth surface ready for painting later.
Thoroughly clean the door fronts and cabinets. Because of how kitchens are used, grease can accumulate quite easily on the cabinets and doors. If you remove grease properly, this will create a surface to which the paint can adhere much more easily.
Use a mild detergent with degreasing properties to lift the grease, dirt, and grime from the doors and cabinets. Dilute the cleaner in a bucket of warm water and dip a clean cloth into it. Wipe down the cabinets and doors thoroughly. If you notice any spots with dried-on accumulated dirt or grease, you can use a scrubbing brush or kitchen scourer to remove it.
Rinse by using a separate cloth with clean water and dry with a towel or other dry cloth.
Sanding is an important step in the preparation process. Your existing doors and cabinets will have a finish on them which makes it harder for paint to adhere. This is the case both for high gloss and for matte finishes.
Sanding away this finish will create a rough texture that the paint can "grab onto". This will help it to stick and prevent lifting or flaking later on down the line.
Use fine-grit sandpaper (180-220) to carefully sand the wood surfaces. Your goal is not to sand the finish away entirely - you want to retain a smooth, even finish. Instead, you are roughing up the surface of the finish, very gently.
Vacuum away the resulting dust and wipe the surface clean with a damp cloth.
Use a drop cloth or plastic sheeting to cover everything in your kitchen that you won't be painting. Paint can fly all over the place, and it can easily end up in places that you didn't intend it to.
Covering the room also prevents dust from rising up and getting stuck in the wet paint. Dust, bits of dirt, hairs, and other small debris can wreak havoc with your finish.
Find out more: How To Spray A Kitchen
Priming has several effects that can help you to obtain the perfect finish:
Wood is a porous material, which can result in paint being absorbed into the wood. This can leave you with a patchy and uneven finish. Priming seals the wood and prevents paint from being absorbed.
Primer creates a textured surface that is easier for paint to adhere to. This will prevent it from lifting, flaking, or chipping later on.
Some types of wood contain natural oils that can bleed into the paint, which can create discolouration. Primer prevents these oils from leaking through.
Primer will help you to obtain a smooth finish by smoothing over any little imperfections in the wood's surface. It can't do anything about bigger holes and cracks, and you should still use wood filler on these.
Primer helps your chosen paint colour to stay true to its shade, which is important when you have a clear vision of what you want your kitchen to look like.
Primer can be easily applied using a spray gun. Or you can use a spray aerosol primer paint. We recommend our Pentura 2K Rapid Build Primer which can be used with our primer spray gun, or our Pentura Aerosol Spray Primer if you choose not to invest in a gun. Either will work well to prime your wood surface.
Prop the door onto your sawhorse or wood planks with the back side facing up. It is always a better idea to start with the back so you can get a feel for how the spray works. Hold the spray can or gun around 10-12 inches away from the surface and use slow sweeping motions with the nozzle parallel to provide even coverage.
Once the primer has dried, flip the door over and do the same for the front and sides.
For drawer fronts, just keep the draw propped up on its back end and focus on priming the front, sides, and any visible back. Make sure that you have applied masking tape first to prevent the primer from getting onto the inner drawer.
Not all paint types require priming beforehand, and you can skip this step if your kitchen cabinet frames, doors, and drawer fronts are in good condition.
Now it's time to apply your paint. Painting cabinets is a process that will take a few days, including all of the preparation you have already done, but the results will be worth it.
You have two options here: spray paint or paint the cabinets with a paint brush or roller. Both will work, but one might be more suited to you than the other.
Painting with a brush or roller can be cheaper, less messy, and allows you extra control over edges and corners. It is a longer process, however, and is harder physical work. Perhaps more importantly, it won't leave you with as smooth a finish as you would get from spray paint. Even with the best technique, brush strokes will still be visible.
This might not matter to you, depending on the type of finish you are looking for. Some brush marks can work for certain looks. But if you're looking for a flawlessly smooth finish, spray painting can be a much better option.
Spray paint is much faster to apply, makes it easier to create even coverage (especially in tight corners and edges), and will give a smoother finish than brushes or rollers. You will need to be especially careful with your prep work, especially covering everything before you start painting because spray paint can be very messy. And the work area will need to be well-ventilated.
If you're planning on using a spray gun or paint sprayer, our Pentura Kitchen Unit Paint will work perfectly. The 2K polyurethane formula has the durability needed for long-lasting results in a kitchen environment and it takes only 20 minutes to dry and 10 hours to fully cure.
This is an all-in-one solution that doesn't require priming beforehand. The adhesive properties of the paint will ensure that it will securely stick to any surface. And it comes in such a wide range of colours that you are certain to find the perfect one to make your kitchen dream a reality.
Looking for a spray gun? Our spray gun range has the perfect option for every project and budget.
If you don't want to invest in a spray gun, you can still spray paint kitchen cabinets. Our Pentura Kitchen Unit Spray Paint comes in an aerosol that can be used straight out of the packet.
Prop the doors and drawers up using the same method as you would for priming. Add thinner and mix the paint according to the instructions and pour it into your spray gun (if using one).
Take a scrap piece of cardboard and try out the spray gun or spray can on it. This will give you a feel for the speed, direction, and spread of the paint. Adjust the nozzle so that you get a fine paint mist.
The cabinet doors should be laid on a sawhorse, two 2x4s resting on blocks or paint tines, or another sturdy work surface. The drawers can be propped up.
For the cabinet frames and cabinet boxes, you should make sure that you have applied masking tape to the edges and that the rest of the kitchen is properly covered with a drop cloth or plastic sheeting.
You should aim for multiple thin coats rather than one thick one. A thick coat won't save you time. It will create a finish that is full of drips, and you will have to start all over again.
Hold the spray gun between 10 and 12 inches from the wood surface and spray in even wide strokes, holding the nozzle parallel to the surface. You should overlap the strokes by around 50% to ensure even coverage. To prevent the build-up of paint on the edges, you should also start spraying just before the edge and then stop spraying just after the other side.
The Pentura Kitchen Unit Paint dries in around 20 minutes, and you should wait for it to dry before applying the next coat. You should usually aim for 2-3 thin coats, but you may need more if you are going from a dark colour to a light one.
Once the final coat has been applied, you just need to wait for the paint to dry before reattaching the doors. Be gentle when handling them, especially if the paint hasn't fully cured, as you could accidentally chip or scratch the paint coating.
Carefully inspect the kitchen cabinets to see if any touch-ups are needed. If there are, you can use a small brush to fill in any gaps in the paint.
The curing process will take around 10 hours, after which you will be able to use your kitchen as normal. Remove the masking paper and tape, reattach the hardware, and take away the drop cloths or plastic sheeting. Be careful not to peel away or chip any paint while you're doing this.
Now you can step back, admire your handiwork, and marvel at the transformation a lick of paint can achieve!
If your next DIY project is to paint kitchen cabinets, we can help. Our extensive range of paints, painting supplies, and equipment will help to ensure that you get the perfect results. Ready to transform your kitchen with a flawless, professional finish? Spray painting your kitchen cabinets has never been easier! Save money on an expensive kitchen replacement and create your perfect look with our extensive range of colours and finishes.
Not sure how to start or what you need? Just get in touch. Our friendly team is ready to hear from you. Just drop us a message or a call and they will guide you through everything you need to know. We can't wait to help you achieve the kitchen you've been dreaming of!
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