Many home improvement projects are dismissed by homeowners as easy, only for them to realize there is much more to it than just watching a quick YouTube tutorial video. Cabinet painting in Solvang, CA is a prime example of one of those projects that can seem simple to save remodeling dollars, but in reality, can lead to unexpected roadblocks along the way.
So if you are planning to take on a cabinet painting project yourself, we want to provide a few tips that can help you save yourself a headache by making this job so much easier.
1 – Draw inspiration from an existing color scheme
When painting your cabinets, selecting the right color scheme for your space is crucial. Instead of getting hung up on choosing something completely original, choose a color palette you love from Instagram or Pinterest. You can even go to your local hardware store to find paint samples to take home. This can save you time – plus, you’ll still be able to make those color tones work for your own space in their own unique way.
2 – Don’t cut corners when selecting a primer, paint, and topcoat
Selecting the right paint has the potential to make or break how your cabinets look and hold up over time. Don’t make the mistake of using wall primers and latex paint like many homeowners and even professional painters do. These mixtures aren’t specially formulated for cabinets and have a tendency to degrade quickly – especially in kitchens. Instead, be sure to choose something of the acrylic, alkyd, or enamel paint variety, as these are made to last for years to come in these areas.
3 – Number hardware, drawers, and doors as you remove them
There’s nothing worse than painting your cabinets with a beautiful finish and then not remembering where they are supposed to go. As part of the cabinet painting process, you can expect a lot of disassembling. To make the process easier and stress-free when reassembling your kitchen cabinets after painting them, use a simple numbering system. You can use matching numbers to label doors, drawer fronts, and hardware that go together to help avoid reinstalling doors in the wrong place.
4 – Clean your cabinets thoroughly before painting
One of the most important steps that you don’t want to skip over is to clean the cabinets really well. Before you bust out the rollers and paintbrushes, make sure you take adequate time to remove any grease and grime from your cabinet surfaces. While this might seem like a tedious task upfront, removing this residue from your cabinets will make the primer and paint stick better to your cabinet surfaces.
5 – If painting cabinets a darker color, tint the primer
If your new cabinets will feature a darker color, it may require several coasts to get the richness you want and avoid streakiness. Using a dark primer or tinting it to closely match your paint color can help the process go faster. Be aware that if you do tint the primer, only add a small amount of color at a time, as too much can make the primer lose its bonding power.
6 – Have a designated painting and drying station
The best place to paint cabinets is typically outdoors, as there is usually more space and adequate ventilation. However, painting outdoors can prove to be difficult without a proper workstation. Make sure you have a sturdy prep and painting surface with plenty of room to set up all the doors and drawers you will be painting.
7 – Establish a temporary place for kitchen work
One of the biggest downfalls during the cabinet painting process is that your kitchen will be out of commission. The good news though, is that you don’t have to pay to eat out or avoid cooking at home altogether. Try setting up a small area with simple kitchen tools – like a microwave, toaster, and small fridge or cooler. You can stock up on paper plates, cups, and plastic silverware to make the process even easier.
The Best Approach To Cabinet Painting In Solvang
While painting your cabinets yourself can be satisfying, if you are looking for an even easier way to tackle your cabinet painting project, then N-Hance of Central Coast in Solvang has your back!
You can take advantage of N-Hance of Central Coast’s cabinet painting services that have been specifically developed with you – and your kitchen – in mind. The materials that are used throughout our process, and our state-of-the-art methods, are ideal for cabinets that are beautiful, durable, and fit within your budget.
Schedule a FREE estimate for cabinet painting in Solvang today!