Cabinet painting (or “cardboard picture”) is a tiny personal painting, usually no bigger than two by four inches (5x7x1.2 inches), but can be much smaller depending on the size of the original or painted surface. A cabinet also called a closet, study, office, or somewhere else may be used for many different purposes, from home storage to an elegant design. To achieve its most useful purpose, it has to look good and blend well with its surroundings. Sometimes the goal is simply to make a small space more aesthetically pleasing, such as when trying to match a bedroom dresser to a wall painted in wood tones. Other times, the goal is to make the most of the available space, using the painting to complement and enhance the existing decor.
Today’s cabinet paintings are more attractive than ever. There are several methods of cabinet painting. The first and most common way is to paint over an existing surface. One big advantage of this kind of cabinet painting is that it can often be done with an unfinished board rather than having to buy new materials. If you don’t have the time to deal with this project yourself, consider hiring someone to do it for you, and make sure that they are competent to do the job.
Painting over already-painted surfaces is a lot of fun, but it can also be a challenge. The surface must first be thoroughly cleansed. Sandpaper should be used to remove rough or damaged areas, then the primer should be applied to allow for the blending of the two colors. After the primer has dried, a final color should be applied using a primer brush. When cabinets are primed and painted, they should always be dry-sanded before re-use.
Many times people choose to stain or paint their existing cabinets. If you choose this route, you will need to prepare your surfaces before beginning your cabinet painting. To prepare your surfaces, you should scrape any loose dirt, dust, or debris from the surface with a hard surface scraper. It is important to remove all loose or broken hardware to ensure a professional-looking finish.
After the surface is clean and dry, it is time to determine which style of cabinet painting you want. There are three basic types of cabinet surfaces available: wood, porcelain, and laminate. Laminate cabinets may be painted over using a wide variety of stains and colors. Wood cabinets may only need a light sanding and a wipe down with a moist rag to restore their original luster. Many pros prefer laminate over wood because it is easier to work with, it is durable, and you can find laminate in a wide range of colors.
Before painting your cabinets first, you should carefully measure your surfaces to make sure that you are planning on using the correct color and shade. Most paint products have instructions for application, and it is important to follow the directions closely. If using an older home that has many older cabinets, consider using a wood-approved sealant first. This will prevent future damage from water. You will also want to clean your cabinets first to remove all the dust and dirt that may accumulate during your painting process.
When your painting cabinets are ready, you should reassemble them. As mentioned before, you should use wood-approved sealants to help maintain the finish. Start by reassembling the top and bottom cabinets first. Once the top and bottom are ready, take the remaining walls and piece them together. Once the entire cabinet door is assembled, you can then reassemble the pieces.
For the final step of your project, you should fill your new drawers and doors with the same wood-approved sealant. Then, you can paint each side of the box with a different color (if you are changing the interior cabinets), or you can just leave them in their natural state. Once you are finished, you should let your cabinets dry completely before using them again. As you can see, the process of painting kitchen cabinet drawers is easy, but it takes time and effort to ensure that you end up with beautiful cabinetry. If you think this job is not for you, you can always get in touch with the professionals.