Some cabinet drawers don’t come out of the frame. If that’s the case for yours, leave them in the frame and paint them when you paint the frame. Some shelves are built into cabinets. If you don’t have brackets holding up your shelves, you probably won’t be able to remove them. If this is the case, you’ll have to paint the shelves when you paint the frame.
If your cabinets have special hardware, put the hinges and handles in a labeled bag. For instance, if you have a corner cabinet that has a different pull, label the bag “corner” and place the hardware in the bag. If you have a variety of door shapes and sizes, it may be helpful to take a picture of the cabinets before you remove the doors. Then, when you rehang the doors, you can reference the picture to make sure you hang them in the right places.
Dawn liquid dish soap and Krud Kutter are commonly used to clean cabinets. [3] X Research source Try to avoid scrubbing in one section for too long, as this can scratch the wood, causing a dull spot when you paint. When you’re done, wipe off the degreaser with a wet cloth and let everything dry for at least 1 hour.
You don’t need to apply the deglosser to the frames since they tend to be cleaner and have less varnish than the door fronts. Never apply deglosser indoors as the potent fumes can be harmful if inhaled in a closed space. Avoid touching the deglosser with your hands to see if it’s dry, as it can damage your skin.
Try using a foam roller for larger flat areas to coat the wood faster. [6] X Research source If you don’t paint on the primer within an hour after the deglosser has dried, the primer won’t stick to the cabinets, which can cause the paint to peel. If the paint you’re using on the cabinets has a built-in primer, skip priming altogether.
Keep in mind that you want to have the doors and drawers primed within 1 hour after the deglosser dries.
Cabinet enamel paint is specifically designed for painting cabinets, as the enamel base is strong and long-lasting. [9] X Research source You don’t have to paint the interior parts of the drawers since they’ll mostly have items inside them. Instead, consider painting the outer sides that’ll be visible when you open the drawer.
Keep the painted pieces in a well-ventilated area at all times. This will help to speed up the drying process.
If you’re painting very dark cabinets a lighter color, use 2 or more coats of paint to prevent the darker color from showing through the light paint.
When you reattach the hardware, use a screwdriver to avoid potentially tightening the hardware too much, as this could also peel or crack the paint. If your hinges are dirty, clean them while you’re waiting for the cabinets to dry.
