Painting Old Kitchen Cabinets

Are painting old kitchen cabinets a thrilling job? You wish to know how to do it if you have no prior experience for the job? Well, there is nothing so entertaining than painting kitchen cabinets. This is not just simple words but if you have even a little inclination for the job then you will start wondering as to why you never took it earlier.

It is really an art and great fun if you plan it well for your old cabinet. To start with you must have the necessary tools arranged before you so as to carry on with the task with perfection. If there is somebody to help you and who has some knowledge about kitchen cabinets then the better for you.

Remodeling and then painting old kitchen cabinets

Why should the old cabinet be remodeled? Can’t it be straightway painted? You can do it provided you are bold enough and ready to face with a unique antique cabinet than one that looks as if you have purchased them new from the stores.

painting old kitchen cabinets
Painting Old Kitchen Cabinets

Why is that? Well, to keep your old cabinet as it is, provided it is wholly made of hard wood and is defect free. In such a case you have an option that even the rich people would envy and that is painting old kitchen cabinets and retain its glorious historic past. This has become quite a craze with many people who would like to discard the idea of keeping a stereotyped cabinet for their homes.

If you have doubts about the old cabinet wood structure as there are chances that part of it may be made from plywood or fiber board then replace them.

These boards are not durable like the hard wood. Hence, some refacing must be done before you plan for repainting kitchen cabinets the way most people do to give them an excellent finish. Therefore, preference should be made to paint them in darker shades of color as this would give the cabinet an aged appeal.

Crucial steps for painting old kitchen cabinets

If the model is old can’t it be made into a more exciting cabinet to brighten up the atmosphere? Yes, that is what paints are supposed to be for. In fact, the revolution in color has given the customer enough choices to make the cabinet the way he or she prefers.

Therefore, painting old kitchen cabinets should be undertaken with the zeal to make it as successful as possible. To start with you ought to make the remodeled cabinet best fit for the kitchen. Once, this is done you may start to identify the lesser cracks, scratches and dents in the cabinet. For doing this properly and also to paint it, you must dismantle them part by part.

This is essential as you can quickly note the inner cracks or dents and later put putty to hide these defects. Thereafter, you must use good quality sand paper to sander them properly. The sand paper must be thoroughly done over the whole of the cabinet as then only the old paint would be completely erased.


Then the cleaning process is to begin and either you may do the same with soap and water or apply wood polish or use conversion fluids that are available in different varieties to aid you. You may ask your local paint dealer for more suggestions as to how to paint kitchen cabinets for your kitchen.

While painting you should choose those colors that go well with your kitchen floor and walls. This would give that splendid look and make your kitchen cabinet give that warm feeling. Before painting the first coat you must put one coat primer and then allow it to dry. And after the first coat of paint apply a second coat so as to make it thick and visible.

This would add to the durability of the wood too.

Mixing colors as a way of attraction

Which are the best colors for an old cabinet? If your cabinet hasn’t any wear and tear, then any color would do. But if the cabinet has been refaced then you may make note of different types of wood used for rebuilding the visible areas. Sometimes, while opting to buy unfinished or half finished cabinet you may get woods that are of different types.

kitchen cabinets online
Your Ultimate DIY Guide for Painting Kitchen Cabinets

This is no problem if you apply darker shades of color on the cabinet.

If the wood is good and of homogenous hard wood variety you may even think of staining kitchen cabinets as many others do for their kitchen. This can bring out the real wood finish for your cabinet.

However, since most old cabinets are rather old enough you may paint black color, cherry color or red color. The red color although not as popular as the black or cherry color can give a startling effect on guests who happen to eye them.

Cherry color is seen to be very durable and dark cherry can give your old cabinet a superb look if there happens to be many windows and more than one door. However, remember that you can go for all white only if you are quite sure enough that this won’t spoil the beauty of the cabinet. After painting old kitchen cabinets you must dust them once every week with dry soft cloth.