Revitalize old, white kitchen cabinets with a fresh coat of paint.
Sometimes, all a kitchen needs is an updated set of cabinets. Unfortunately, kitchen cabinets can run into the tens of thousands of dollars, leaving the homeowner with empty pockets. A cheap alternative that will achieve the same results is refinishing those old, battered cabinets and applying a fresh coat of paint. Old, wooden cabinets can also have nicks, dents and gouges from years of use. Revitalize those old, white, wooden cabinets and make any kitchen look like new.
Instructions
1. Remove the cabinets from the hinges, using a screwdriver. Then, remove any hardware such as knobs, handles or decorative elements. Place the cabinets on a dropcloth in a well-ventilated area.
2. Clean the surface of the cabinets with diluted dish soap in water. Make sure to remove grease, dirt or other grime. Rinse and wipe dry with a towel. Make sure the cabinets are completely dry before sanding.
3. Sand the surface of the cabinet while wearing a face mask. Sanding the cabinets will create a "toothed" surface that will make any primer or paint layers adhere better. Wipe off any sanding dust with the tackcloth.
4. Apply wood filler to any dents, gouges or scratches in the cabinet surface, using a small putty knife. The wood filler can rise slightly above the surface of the cabinet. Let dry completely.
5. Sand the dried wood filler so that it is flat against the surface of the cabinet. Remove the sanding dust with the tackcloth.
6. Brush on one or two coats of primer, allowing it to dry between coats. If using an oil-based paint, use an oil or alkyd primer. For water-based latex paint, use an acrylic or latex primer. Let dry.
7. Apply one or two coats of the desired color of paint to the cabinet surface. Let the paint dry in between coats, then reattach hardware. Finally, attach the cabinets to the hinges.
