Repainting Kitchen Cabinets

Step 1 - Surface Preparation

Remove handles and hardware from cabinets Clean all surface with mineral spirits (paint thinner) to remove surface contamination If surface contamination is excessive, a second mineral spirits wash may be required (rinse rag between applications) To be sure you have removed all traces of surface contamination and paint thinner residue, wash the surface with a 50/50 mixture of household ammonia and water. Allow the clean surface to dry for approximately 30 minutes.

PLEASE NOTE: Some heavy duty water-based detergent products may work on typical surface contamination found in kitchens, but the wide variety of brands and formulas available from which to choose make knowledgeable selection critical and error-prone. No matter how hard you rub with an inappropriate cleaner, waxes, grease or other surface contamination may still be present to cause pro adhesion and paint failure. In all cases be sure to rinse well after cleaning.

Step 2 - Apply Primer

Top coats will not stick to most kitchen cabinet surface materials without the aid of a tough, durable and high-performance primer that develops complete adhesion to the surface without sanding. primer (shellac based) is preferred due to its outstanding adhesion to virtually any slick or porous surface and its rapid dry and cure properites.will adhere to painted surfaces, Formica, enameled metal, or laminate surfaces. Acrylic latex-water-based- primer is easy to use and will develop good adhesion but requires a cure time varying from a few days to as much as 15 days to develop maximum hardness, abrasion-resistance, block-resistance and ideal performance over such areas such as hinges, door joints, etc. Primer--Sealer dries in less than an hour, and cures to a tough, abrasion-resistant film within a few hours allowing the reinstallation or reuse of kitchen cabinety without regard for cure time-related physical problems. will also seal in knots or sap streaks in cabinets and will adhere to all varnishes and other finishes. Should be applied by brush, spray or pad and allowed to dry for at least an hour. If high humidity conditions are present, please allow two hours or more to be sure the prime coat has dried thoroughly before applying your choice of top coat.

Step 3 - Apply Topcoat

Besides the necessity for a quality adhesion-promoting primer, choice of the top-coat is also critical. Both latex (water-based) or alkyd (oil-based) topcoats may be used. But Zinsser stresses the probable superior performance of alkyd finishes. They give a harder finish and one that is more stain resistant, washable, durable, etc. For countertops, a very hard finish that is able to withstand abrasion, cutting, stress from tableware, silverware, etc. without being easily damaged is required. Epoxies or other abrasion-resistant finishes would be ideal.