How to Paint and Trim Kitchen Cabinet
- 1). Remove the doors from the cabinets that you’re painting. Unscrew the doors from the hinges and then unscrew the hinges from the cabinet body. Place the hinges aside for reinstalling after the completion of the painting. Remove the cabinet handles from the door, unscrewing them and putting them aside for later re-installation.
- 2). Clean the cabinets and cabinet doors thoroughly with a pH-neutral cleanser. A damp sponge will remove regular dirt and dust from the wood, but for ingrained dirt use a scrub brush for removal. Rinse the wood with clean water to remove any residue from the washing process and then pat the cabinets with a dry cloth to remove remaining moisture.
- 3). Remove any existing paint on the cabinets with a chemical paint stripper. Brush the paint stripper over the surface of the cabinets with the stripper, covering the paint with an even coating. Wait the manufacturer suggested length of time for the stripper to loosen the paint, and then remove the stripper and paint with a putty knife. Wipe the surface clean with a rag after removal.
- 4). Sand the surface of the cabinets and cabinet doors with 220-grit sandpaper placed on a sanding block to remove any paint residue or existing finish from the cabinets. Use a small circular motion while sanding, smoothing the surface of the wood and exposing the wood’s natural grain. Wipe away any sanding residue with a rag.
- 5). Measure the edges of the cabinets being trimmed and cut the trim to match the measurements using a table saw.
- 6). Sand the trim pieces with an orbital sander to remove any imperfections and create a smooth surface for painting.
- 7). Mask off areas adjacent to the cabinets to prevent paint mishaps from causing damage. Place a drop cloth over any surfaces beneath the cabinets.
- 8). Brush on a layer of stain-blocking primer to the cabinets, cabinet doors and trim, to cover any defects in the wood that can leak through to the topcoat and to fill in any imperfections in the surface of the wood. Allow the primer to dry completely for the manufacturer recommended drying time. Sand the primer with 150-grit sandpaper to remove any imperfections in the coating.
- 9). Paint the cabinet, cabinet doors and trim with a topcoat of paint in the color of your choosing. Use an oil-based paint for your topcoat as it dries to a harder surface that can take the wear and tear of normal usage better. Use a natural-bristle brush to apply two coats of paint, allowing the first coat to dry for two hours before applying the second. Allow the second coat to dry completely before continuing.
- 10
Replace cabinet hardware to the cabinet, screwing handles back into place. Then return the cabinet doors to the cabinets. - 11
Mount the trim to the cabinet bases using a finish nailer. The trim generally hides any gaps that exist between the cabinets and the floor. Place a nail about every 8-inches to secure the trim into place. Do not secure the trim directly to the floor as the trim needs to move with the cabinets when they expand or contract.
