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Cabinet Painting

1/16/2022

15 Comments

 
Let's talk cabinets. 

​Through two years of pandemic life, my bet is that you have painted at least one room in your home, if not most of the house. Now all that's left are some stained cabinets that look dated and need some love. The first thing to know on cabinets, even for a professional painter, they are a pain! Most pro's will take 3-5 days on a cabinet set. If you have aspirations of this being a 1 weekend show, you are setting yourself up for failure. It's going to take some time, and based on personal experience of painting my own, this will take you 3-4 weekends of your time for a standard cabinet set of 20-25 doors and 10-15 drawers. This is a project that you have to ask yourself, do you want to take on the task or hire the professionals? If you're going the DIY route, here's what you need to do.

  It's all about the prep work:
  • Sanding - you sand for adhesion, not to removal all of the varnish. You sand before you lay on the primer, you sand (lightly) in between primer and top coats. 
  • Priming - Sherwin Williams extreme blocking primer, or extreme bonding primer. If you are painting your cabinets any other color than white, have them tint your primer to help with coating.
  • Tannin - This is a naturally occurring acid that exists in all wood and will show up in contact with water. Looks like a coffee stain, yellowish/brown in color. Sand and spot prime these areas well. 
  • Caulking - A standard 850a/950a from Sherwin Williams will do. ALL nail holes and profile lines on doors and wood work should be caulked for a finished look. Including the wall/cabinet box transition and if you have moulding at the top of the cabinet. Take your time with this, as it really helps you achieve that perfect finish in the end.
  • Top Coat - Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Enamel is my top choice. Apply two top coats to your cabinets. Spraying will always have a better finish, however Emerald does have a built in self leveling compound that allows the paint to settle the brush strokes you may see in the beginning.

Tips: 
  • If you mess up and have heavy spots or drips or runs, let them dry fully until you can sand it down. DO NOT ATTEMPT to correct while paint is wet. I assure you, it will get infinitely worse. 
  • Don't let anyone tell you that a paint and primer in one is a substitute for quality prep work. It's a lie. Do the work to get the results you want. 
  • Caulk after prime, we find that it helps lock in tannin as the primer is in those nail holes and profile lines. 
  • New hardware? Port the holes in between priming/painting - that way you don't mar the top coat with the drill. 
  • Create a spray booth or a containment area to eliminate dust and debris landing on your cabinetry while it's drying 
​
Remember to take your time and have fun with your DIY projects. These memories are what make your house a home. 
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15 Comments
William Aarons link
2/23/2022 01:59:59 pm

This is a project that you have to ask yourself, do you want to take on the task or hire the professionals? I’m so thankful for your helpful post!

Reply
CRM Customer Relationship Management link
6/22/2022 10:50:32 am

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Reply
Maddy@Shout In Canada link
1/3/2023 09:53:07 pm

your blog was fantastic and quite instructive. I read it and found very informative things in this blog. I was searching for Cabinet painting in Calgary , so one of my friends suggest Shout in Canada because it provides the best house painting in Calgary. I go through the website and find great information. I also read their blog which was also informative and amazing, so I would advise people to read this blog as well.

Reply
Get The Look Of New Cabinets For Less link
3/16/2023 02:36:15 am

Well worth a read. When we have access to complete information, such as how to make the necessary changes and what materials to use, as well as advice on which ones to avoid, making the desired alterations is super easy. Cabinet painting creates beautiful furniture by applying pigment to wood surfaces. Painters have developed new ways to manipulate paint and colour, advancing the technique. Cabinet painting merges fine and decorative arts. I value the details you've provided. Keep Sharing.

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Platinum Pro Cabinet Painting link
3/24/2023 06:05:49 am

From this article you will get to know about Cabinet Painting. Before hitting on the other blogs give a try over here to get the best available content. I loved this article, thanks for producing such great content.

Reply
ASP Painting LTD link
5/30/2023 10:46:31 pm

Box Painting, your cabinet painting blog is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to transform their kitchen with a fresh and updated look. The importance of well-painted cabinets cannot be overstated, and your expertise in this area shines through in your informative and detailed post.

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https://pbcpainters.com link
6/26/2023 04:33:11 am

Wow, I love your post ! This in just the perfect time. Thanks a bunch!

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Bobby link
9/11/2024 11:36:08 pm

Grateful for ssharing this

Reply
Pothole & Grading Surfacing Forbes link
12/9/2024 04:15:20 am

Great insights! Knowing the time investment helps in deciding whether to DIY or hire professionals.

Reply
ASPHALT & BITUMEN SURFACING IN Dubbo link
1/20/2025 02:38:49 am

Really appreciate the emphasis on thorough preparation. It’s clear that taking the time to do it right makes a big difference.

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ROAD CONSTRUCTION Cowra link
2/19/2025 07:24:53 am

Thanks for the honest advice! Knowing the time and effort required for painting cabinets helps set realistic expectations for DIY enthusiasts

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Spray & Seal Bitumen Lithgow link
2/19/2025 07:56:54 am

Appreciate the detailed tips! Understanding the challenges and preparation involved can make the cabinet painting process smoother.

Reply
Tar & Chip Surfacing Anglia link
3/4/2025 10:36:48 am

That’s a solid guide for tackling a DIY cabinet painting project! Prep work really is the key to a professional-looking finish, and taking the time to do it right will make all the difference. The Sherwin Williams recommendations are spot-on, especially the Emerald Urethane Enamel for durability and smooth leveling.

If you’re ever in the middle of a renovation and need help with a new driveway or exterior upgrades, feel free to check out our services. A fresh driveway can complement your newly updated interior!

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HARDSTANDS SURFACING Hornsby link
3/29/2025 12:00:25 am

Appreciate the tips! It’s good to know it’s a bigger task than I might think, but now I’m prepared for what’s ahead if I decide to take on the project.

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Tar & Chip Surfacing Sandy link
4/4/2025 09:31:32 am

Thanks so much for sharing this detailed guide—it’s both honest and super helpful! I really appreciate the heads-up about the time commitment. The tips on tannin and caulking for that pro finish are gold. Definitely bookmarking this for when I’m ready to tackle mine. And hey—if you’re also thinking about updating your exterior or driveway while you're at it, feel free to check out our site. We’d love to help complete the look of your home!

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