painting kitchen cupboards?

I want to update my kitchen, however I am unsure of what paint to use etc. Do you have to sand first, or will just applying primer do the job? I have honey oak cupboards and I want to paint them a winter white or light beige. Does anyone have any suggestions on what kind of paint I would need for this? thanks maureen

Public Comments

1. lowes.com look at Do it YOurself
2. I would never paint honey oak cupboards. Such beautiful wood to be hidden by paint. Why not just sand, stain and polyurethane?
3. you are going to ruin the look with paint of any color.. I suggest looking for a place, that sells unfinished cabnitry.Buy what you like, put a couple coats of primer on them, then the finish color of your choice.
4. Sanding and preparing the surface to be painted is the very most important part of the project. Any good paint supplier should be able to advise you on the type of paint to use.
5. Definitely use primer. You only need to sand if the surface is super-slick. Otherwise, a good primer will adhere to most finishes. Since they are kitchen cabinets, it is important to use a non-toxic paint that does not emit much in the way of fumes. You will want a latex paint, at least. But go to a good paint store--someplace where you can get good advice--and ask if they have special paint for non-toxic use. Some of the companies make paints for baby furniture and the like, and I would use that for a food surface. But do you *really* want to paint? If your cabinets are really oak, and not just pressboard with an oak veneer, you have something worth fixing up rather than painting over. I'd look into refinishing the cabinets rather than painting them, but if you prefer the look, go for it. Just one man's opinion. Good luck!!
6. You will want to scuff them a bit. One of those green Scotchbrite pads will work even. Then you should prime them. Read the directions, it may recommend you scuff lightly after priming as well. You will want to use a premium paint. Most lines have a better and best quality. You will want the best quality as the cupboards will see some abuse and probably dirty hands. A semi gloss washes up nicely, a flat finish not so much. Good Luck.
7. sanding is needed to give the primer something to hold to. Kilz primer, two coats, followed by acrylic enamel.
8. As you have read (and I agree) don't paint beautiful wood. Everyone is telling you what paint to get but, they aren't telling you what is going to happen after you paint them. Painted cabinets will not hold up to washing. They will chip and you will be so sorry you painted them. Once they chip you have to start repainting them (and it won't take long for this to happen) and then you get the layered paint look. Please don't do it. Instead I suggest you paint the walls something exciting. I just did mine in a Promenade 400F-5. It's by Behr paints that you buy at Home Depot. It's a sage green. it is beautiful next to my oak cabinets. It looks very rich. I think this will be enough of a change for you and you will really like it. If you are persistent about painting them. You have to sand them down bare and then prime. It will take days and days of work. Don't do it.
9. You can sand them, or use a primer. The best paint believe it or not is walmart paint. Most paints are sticky, Walmart paint dries very smooth and NOT sticky. Be sure to use an eggshell for a semi gloss finish. Good luck!!
10. Maureen, I have done alot of kitchen cabinet refacing 1 You need to sand them lightly to even the surface or rough up the finish, every inch needs sanding for the new paint to adhere, to open up the pores of the wood that is sealed in polyurethane, use electric sander 2 wipe them down with paint thinner 3 mask off inside of box if you don't intend to paint it 4 mask off outside perimeter 5 mix 1/3 paint thinner to paint-(semi-gloss paint) this helps the paint lay down, if it shows brush strokes heavy, or is hard to paint add a little more thinner You should use a good oil base paint like Sherwin Williams or Glidden. Never use Behr, terrible paint, you have to apply to many coats for coverage. 6 Make sure that you have a good quality oil brush, the hair should be black, ask for one at Home Depot or Sherwin Williams If you don't intend to paint the hinges then remove them. If your doors are attached, leave them open to dry or they will dry closed . Keep plenty of rags( I like socks , they make great rags) and paint thinner around for clean up. Do not clean your brush in water, use either paint thinner or acetone. Wear old clothes to paint, you can't get this stuff out of you clothes. I recommend an oversize t-shirt. Allow your cabinets to dry for at least 24 hours prior to resuming use of kitchen, it actually takes about one week for the paint to cure. Good Luck This is a time consuming job, take your time and do it well, it would take a professional about 3 days to do this job, allow yourself at least five to start with
11. Oh geeze! They are your cupboards, if you want to paint them, then paint them! But, you really do need to sand first. And not with just a scotchbright pad. I mean sand! With an electric sander. And, if you have any decorative parts on them, you'll need to buy the black sandpaper and do that by hand. If you leave any finish, or varnish, on them, the paint will NOT stick properly. And your paint job is shot to heck. So do sand first. I would take the cupboard doors off first. Sand the cabinet part. Then, sand the doors, one by one. They should take you about an hour or so per door. Shorter if you don't have any decorations on it to do by hand. Then, primer them. Then paint them. When you sand wood, you open up the grain of the wood to accept the primer and paint. Thus, it will last longer and stick right. I sand, paint and stain cabinets for a living. So, I know this is how it is done properly. But, word of warning here, this is not going to be a weekend job. It will take awhile. It's a long tedious job, but worth it in the end. Good luck. If you have any more questions on this just e-mail me and I'd be happy to help.