High-gloss kitchen cabinets can help make your kitchen feel bigger and brighter, but if you're looking for a new look, you might feel a little stuck. Maybe you want to keep the gloss but change the colour, or you're looking for more of a matte finish. Some people may tell you that your only option is to buy new doors, but this is not the case! You can absolutely spray paint high gloss kitchen doors, as long as you use the right paint and preparation.
Uncover more: How To Spray Paint Kitchen Cabinets
If you can remove the doors, you should. Ideally, you will want to paint the doors outside. If this isn't possible, a well-ventilated area like a garage would work well. Spray painting is a messy job! You should raise the doors off the ground using blocks or something similar to keep them clean (drawers can just be propped up on their ends).
If you can't remove the doors, you should use plastic sheeting to cover all of the surfaces in the kitchen. Use masking tape to secure it so it doesn't slip. Paint can and will get everywhere, so you need to make sure that everything is completely covered.
Plastic sheeting doesn't just keep your kitchen clean, however. It also stops dust from getting onto your wet paint. Dust and dirt can spoil the finish of the paint, so making sure to keep it under wraps as much as possible will help you to get that perfect result.
Preparing to paint gloss kitchen cabinets is crucial to achieving the desired result. Never skimp on the prep work. You will thank yourself later!
First, you should remove the door handles and any other hardware. This will stop them from getting covered in paint as well.
Then, you will need to work on the door surfaces. Preparing the surface correctly will give you a much better chance of achieving a longer-lasting finish. High-gloss surfaces can easily collect grease and dirt. Removing this will help the paint to adhere to the door's surface, which will stop it from lifting or flaking later on.
Use a mild detergent. Sugar soap is a popular option as it is a degreaser and it is non-abrasive, but you can use other types of detergent and degreasers. Dilute the cleaner in a bucket of warm water.
First, scrub the doors with a kitchen scourer to lift any dried-on grime. Then, use a damp cloth dipped in the diluted cleaning solution to clean it away. If there are stubborn dirty areas, you can use a scrubbing brush to remove them.
A high gloss finish will be difficult for paint to adhere to because it is so smooth and shiny. If you sand the surface, you will be left with a rougher surface that the paint can "grab" onto more easily.
You should use fine-grit sandpaper (180-220) for high-gloss cabinets. This is enough to create a rougher texture without causing deep scratches on the surface.
Sand until the shine is removed. Use even strokes and try not to focus too much on one area to prevent deep scratches or an uneven surface. Then use a dry paint brush or a microfibre cloth to remove the dust.
Applying a primer can give you even more help with adhesion. The primer will cover the gloss and create a textured, rough surface that will help the paint to bond. This step is important in preventing lifting or flaking later on down the line.
You can apply the primer using a primer spray gun to help ensure perfect, even coverage.
Now you're ready to paint gloss kitchen doors! Painting kitchen cabinets with spray paint is the easiest way to achieve a factory finish-worthy look.
Learn more: How To Spray A Kitchen
Painting gloss cabinets is a breeze with our Pentura Kitchen Unit Spray Paint. The advanced 2k high-performance formula provides a luxurious finish but with the toughness you need in a kitchen environment.
This is an all-in-one solution that will adhere strongly even to high-gloss kitchen cabinets, and it is strong enough to resist scratches for years to come.
Dig Deeper: How to Decide on the Best Paint for Your Project
When you're ready to transform your kitchen cabinet doors, you will probably have thought about what type of finish you want to achieve. And with this paint, you have so many options!
Whether you want a gloss, matte, or satin finish, there is a paint for you, and in every colour option you can think of.
You can choose to use a paintbrush or foam roller to paint your cupboard doors, and our Pentura Kitchen Unit Paint is perfect for that, but spray painting will give you a better chance of achieving a professional finish.
This is because it is easier to apply in thin coats and it will paint the doors perfectly evenly. And it's simpler to do than you might think. For a DIY project, spray painting is quick to pick up and makes it achievable to get the look you want.
If you don't want to invest in a spray gun, our Pentura Kitchen Unit Spray Paint works straight out of the can. A spray gun, on the other hand, can provide you with more precise control for more even coverage and a smoother finish.
Our Pentura Kitchen Unit Paint works in spray guns of all types and will give you the perfect finish you've been hoping for.
Now we're ready to start painting! Hold the spray can or gun around 10-12 inches away from the cabinet's surface. You should aim to slowly swing your arm to cover the entire surface with a thin coat. Don't concentrate the paint in one area as this will lead to dripping.
Wait around 20 minutes for the first coat to dry completely before moving on to the second coat. You should aim for two to three coats for full coverage.
Remember to take your time over the painting process. The more careful and controlled you are, the better chance you have of achieving a great result.
If you have removed the doors, you can reattach them once the paint is completely dry. Plus all of the hardware that you removed.
Then, you can step back and be amazed at the difference just painting your gloss kitchen doors can make to the room!
Here are some additional tips and tricks to help you transform your kitchen by spray painting your gloss kitchen cabinets.
Stopping for just a moment will lead to a build-up of paint in that area. It is quite surprising just how quickly this can happen with spray painting, so it is always best to just keep it moving.
Always use smooth parallel strokes when spray painting. Aim for overlapping passes with around 50% overlap between each stroke to prevent streaks.
And stop spraying just after the other edge. This prevents a build-up of paint right at the edges of the door.
Check out: Spray Gun VS Brush
We have all of the tools and products you need to achieve a professional finish when you spray paint gloss kitchen cabinets of all kinds. Our high-quality paints will stand the test of time and our huge colour selection and colour-matching tool mean that you can get it just right, the first time.
Unsure about what you need? Our customer service team is ready and waiting to chat with you. They know everything there is to know about paint, and will always guide you in the right direction.
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