What is the best way to paint my kitchen cabinets, and what paint should I use?

6 Comments

1. stephen s says:

   March 20, 2011 at 8:28 am

   Take the cabinet doors off and wash them with TSP, tri-sodium phosphate (it comes in a powder form and the box is about the same size as Kraft Mac and cheese box.) After they dry, (I suggest spray cans) coat them evenly with Zinsser (one can will fully cover 1 door (front and back so buy accordingly.) This is a type of primer that is a shellac based primer(white pigmented shellac.) It will even stick to peanut butter. Let that dry and coat with one or 2 coats of the preferred color. I also suggest using an oil based paint for your kitchen cabinets. Do not use latex becasue any chemicals that get into contact with it (e.g. bleach, alcohol, ammonia (windex) will cause the latex paint to break down and it will be nasty and sticky no matter how much you try to clean it. You can sand it if you want, but it is really unneccesary. There is also another chemical brand name PASO that you can use, yet the TSP can be mixed with water and is not stinky. I use a brillo pad/sponge to wash the doors with the TSP and warm water.
2. tonetones03 says:

   March 20, 2011 at 8:28 am

   I just redid mine too. First take off the doors and remove hinges. Prime the whole thing and then use a good paint. The people at the paint store can help you with what type, but you’ll probably want one fairly glossy that can be easily wiped down. Then, paint and re-attach hinges and doors.
3. nachosmyman says:

   March 20, 2011 at 8:28 am

   Give them a light sand first…that will help.
4. martinezfam says:

   March 20, 2011 at 8:28 am

   Take the doors and hardware off, clean them, prime them, the paint them with a high gloss paint, so they will be easy to clean.
   Goo luck!
5. oil field trash says:

   March 20, 2011 at 8:28 am

   A word of caution about TSP. It is a caustic material and can be dangerous to your skin and your eyes.

   It is a really good degreaser if used carefully.

   Semi-gloss oil based paint will be your best choice. It is durable and semi-gloss doesn’t show small imperfections as much as gloss.
6. Tweet says:

   March 20, 2011 at 8:28 am

   Wash them down, they make a product called TSP, (you can get it at Wal-Mart), that will cut any grease. Then sand them lightly and wipe down again (this will help the paint adhere). I’d use semi-gloss, it’s washable and durable. Good luck!