Repurpose your Kitchen Cabinets

Keith Payne from North Meridian Hardware shows you how to repurpose your kitchen cabinets. Replacing cabinets can be expensive. One way to save money and create a new look is to paint them yourself.

Things needed
-Paint - Oil based OR 100% acrylic latex, semi-gloss or gloss.
-Primer
- " high build" or "sandable".
-Degreaser or TSP
-angled brush
-Sandpaper - 100 grit (medium) and 220 grit (extra fine/fine).
-Sponge
-shop vacuum.
 

Step 1:
Remove cabinet doors and drawer fronts, plus any hardware that might be attached. (If you're protecting your countertops, now's the time to cover them with rosin paper/plastic sheeting.)

Step 2:
Take your degreaser/TSP and thoroughly clean all areas of your cabinet doors/drawer fronts as well as the cabinet boxes.  If you have sensitive skin (or don't want chemicals all over your hands) wear gloves!

Step 3:
If your cabinets have dings or you're replacing your hardware with something different, fill in all the holes/divots with wood putty. (We didn't have this issue.) Next, sand your cabinets and cabinet boxes with 100 grit sandpaper, going with the grain. Really get in there and rough up that surface.

Step 4:
Vacuum up as much sawdust as you can.

Step 5:
Using your tack cloth, wipe off any remaining sawdust. You want your surface to be as clean and dust-free as possible.  Taking the time to adequately prep is KEY.

Step 6:
Time to Prime! Apply your primer, starting with the inner panel. Go against the grain first, then with it. This will help to fill in the grain and create a smoother surface. Allow the primer to dry thoroughly; consider priming your cabinet boxes while you wait.

Step 7:
Once your primer is dry, it's time to sand again! Using a fine or extra-fine grit sandpaper (around 220 or so), sand away any brush strokes or uneven primer. Create as smooth a surface as you possibly can. Like I said, taking the time to adequately prep your surface is KEY.

Step 8:

Vacuum off all the sawdust

Step 9:

Wipe everything down with your tack cloth, making sure to get any remaining sawdust.

Step 10:

It's finally time to paint! Using your angled brush, start on the back panels of your cabinets like you did with the primer. This time, go with the grain only. Apply a relatively thin coat, don't slop it on there. Let this coat dry to-the-touch before flipping it over and painting the other side. Allow this coat to dry thoroughly, on a level surface. Meanwhile, go paint your cabinet boxes, following the same technique. Once dry, make a quick pass with your tack cloth to get any dust, then repeat Step 10 to apply a second coat. (A third coat will probably not be necessary, but if it is, you know what to do now!)

Step 11

Install hardware knobs

Come visit us at:

1433 N. Meridian

www.NorthMeridianHardware.com