when to rehang cabinets after painting

Cecilia says. Most of the paints we use are a water-based or latex paint so those typically dry to the touch within 30 minutes. I plan on sealing mine and am glad to know about the sealer you used. It’s also a lot less expensive. Reinstall all the hardware and hinges. For a paint to be considered dry, enough solvents must evaporate so it feels dry to the touch. #ShutTheFrontDoorDIY couldn’t be complete without addressing the most numerous doors in your house: cabinet doors! In this installment of Dueling DIY, I show you a nifty trick for how I did it!. ", Step 5: Next, using the same hand screwdriver, adjust the screw that’s facing … Repeat these steps to apply a second and third coat of polyurethane. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Start at the top, left cabinet. In case you missed it, the concept is pretty simple: another blogger and I go head to head each week… which basically keeps me in line and on task. If you are transitioning from a dark color to a lighter color or vice versa, you will need to prime before rolling on the paint. Cabinet refacing basically replaces the veneer on the visible surfaces of the cabinet while leaving the structural aspects intact. It is a very long and tedious job to paint cabinets but so worth the look after. They look lovely when they are clean but they are constantly dirty and extremely difficult to get clean without harming the paint – expecially the lower cabinets and the one above the stove. Apply in a thin layer, brushing in the direction of the wood grain or pattern, in even single strokes. Take the first piece and align it so that it slightly overhangs all the edges of the stile. Reply. I took this picture after 3 coats of the milk paint. With the correct tools and products in place, you can turn drab and shabby into crisp, clean and modern. Lay down a tarp and paint the front of each piece. You can sand and paint or stain old doors. Thanks for an honest update! All Rights Reserved. Use a carpenter square to line up the join between the two pieces of veneer, then run your utility knife along the guideline, slicing through both pieces of veneer. ", Step 2: Apply the veneer to the rails of the cabinet so that it overlaps the stiles on both sides. Her full bio and clips can be viewed at www.vegaswriter.com. http://lotzremodeling.com/blog/how-to-rehang-a-door/ Learn how to rehang a door. ", Step 3: I was covering my 1960’s orange oak cabinets with Snow White General Finishes milk paint. I had my cabinet doors and drawers painted on Friday , the painter is to paint the boxes on tuesday and wants to hang the doors back on Thursday . © 2000-2020 Home Depot Product Authority, LLC. It’s a tall order. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. Roll on a layer of paint onto the shaker frame front. You know who you are)! Attach the drawer fronts to the boxes and then install the drawer pulls. If you aren’t sure what style you desire, look for repainting kitchen cabinets before and after photos for ideas. Wash all of the surfaces after sanding. Today I am breaking down the entire process and taking you through a step by step guide on how to paint thermofoil cabinets. Solvent-based polyurethane is suited for cabinets coated with oil-based paint. ", Step 4: While the actual priming and painting only took three days (can you say marathon painting? Peel one corner of the backing away and then press it into place. After the first coat of paint has dried, it is time to apply the second coat of paint. This will require more sanding and prep work, but if the wood is gorgeous, it is worth the time and effort. Additional Tips The painter used a Sherwin Williams paint made for doing cabinets and said it would be okay to rehang them so … if you apply a solvent-based polyurethane over a water-based finish, potential adhesion problems could lead to flaking. Kitchen cabinets set the tone of the room. Tip: Be sure to change the knife blade after every few cuts to ensure that the cuts stay clean. Let’s start this how to paint builder grade cabinets post with a reminder of the before. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. When using latex, a brush and roller will offer the best control to get into the nooks and crannies that tend to come with kitchen cabinets. Prepare to Work on the Cabinets Remove all the hardware from the cabinets and drawers. If you like your kitchen's current layout, cabinet refacing may be the perfect update option. When you are done with the two coats of the latex paints, you have to be patient as most advises tells that three days are required before you rehang or use again the doors and drawers. Rehang all cabinet doors and reinstall all cabinet drawers. This will help the latex paint to adhere to the surface of the cabinets. Remove the doors and work with each one individually to get a better finished project. Apply carpenter glue and affix the plywood panel to the cabinet. Remove all the contents of your drawers and cabinets and store them safely in another room. Number all of your upper cabinets and then start numbering the lower drawers and cabinets. So here we go, step-by-step. Evaluate the condition of your cabinets by looking at these elements: If any of these elements are not present, your current cabinets may not take well to refacing. Thank you for the update. Those globs will drip and look uneven and unprofessional when the doors dry. Painting over painted cabinets requires good prep work. When I rehung, a couple of the doors hit wood and will not close. Allow time to dry, then lightly sand for a smooth, uniform surface. Reassemble the Cabinets Using a utility knife and a ruler or straightedge as guide, trim the excess veneer from all the edges of the stiles. Adjust Hinges to Level Doors. Wear gloves and clean the sides and faces of the cabinets with a cleaner formulated to remove grease and oils. 8. Use a piece of scrap wood to create a jig and use it to create the holes in the cabinet for the hinges. A stain can also be placed on top of a painted kitchen cabinet. Install the door hinges, positioning each hinge one hinge-length from the top and from the bottom of the door. ", Step 6: The current selection of latex paint products on the market makes it much more user friendly to refurbish wood or laminate cabinets. That is the only way to make your cabinets look fresh once again. Hanging the doors involves attaching the hinges to the door, determining how the door fits on the cabinet, and aligning the door evenly on the cabinet. Before you begin, the surfaces of the cabinets need to be roughed up. Paint doesn’t cure, or reach maximum hardness, until days after the paint is dry. Learn how to paint cabinet doors in the best way — the way that means you only have to do it ONCE — from Meredith (and don’t forget to link up your door projects and then make us laugh for a chance to win $25). You have unrealistic expectations. It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time for another Dueling DIY update! Before removing hardware, scrub all cabinets with a grease-cutting cleaner and scrubbing sponge. Complete the first coat and allow it to dry. The process reuses the standing cabinet structure, keeping the old cabinet boxes from clogging up a waste facility. In chocolate brown. After sharing our son’s bathroom makeover, we received so many requests for a paint tutorial. Refacing kitchen cabinets is a popular project for homeowners looking for a straightforward renovation option. It may be less expensive in the long run to invest in replacement cabinets. Check the cabinets for dents and deep scratches and fill them with caulking or wood filler. i can’t wait to finish this project up, i think it will make a huge difference. Press in place, then secure with 2d finish nails. Number each cabinet front and drawer that you remove. And smelly. Apply Protective Coating Use a paintbrush to fill in any detail areas. If the plan calls for a filler strip at a particular location, clamp it to the face frame and attach it as … A good pair of gloves that aren’t too thick and allow your fingers to move freely will help you get around the crevices and corners of cabinets. Paint the edges all the way around being careful not to let the paint glob up. i’m currently on step 5 in my kitchen, glad to see that i’ve been doing things correctly. Orient the doors so that all the patterns run in the same direction. Prime, Fill and Sand. Latex paint carries a faint odor, is easy to clean up after and dries fast. Next, apply the veneer to the rails so that it overlaps the stiles on either side. Kitchen cabinet refacing is experiencing a surge of popularity because it saves money over a full remodel, and it is a green solution. The first step is to use your screwdriver or drill (with a driver bit) to … How to Get the Dirt Out of Beadboard Cabinets, Glidden: Repainting Kitchen Cabinets in a Few Easy Steps, This Old House: Painting Kitchen Cabinets, How to Tone Down Glossy Painted Kitchen Cabinets, How to Make Oak Cabinets Look Like French Country, How to Get the Antique White Distressed Look on Cabinets. Very timely as I am in the process of painting my kitchen cabinets. That time around I used an oil-based paint. Once the strip is in place, take a small wood block and firmly press down the length of the strip to force out any air bubbles and ensure the glue adheres firmly and smoothly. Some painting contractors, however, like to paint before the kitchen cabinets go in, as this eliminates the work of masking off all the cabinets and painting around them. That’s one. September 8, 2016 at 12:15 pm. Doors, drawer fronts and hardware are also usually upgraded in cabinet refacing projects, although if these elements are in good shape, they can easily be reused after cleaning and applying a new coat of wood stain. January 8, 2015 by Cori George 42 Comments. Always begin applying veneer with the stiles, or vertical lengths. Water-based dries fast and is odor-free, making it easy to work with. Remove the excess piece of top veneer from the rail, then lift up the edge of the rail veneer. Latex satin finish is preferred over oil paints, which can clump and dribble down the cabinet in thick strands. Remove the cut piece of stile veneer from underneath. It is not suited for cabinets coated with water-based flat, eggshell or satin latex paint. Oil-based paint carries a stronger odor, must be cleaned up with mineral spirits and takes much longer to dry. What Happened When I Didn’t Sand. The painter just needs to be willing to come in and do some touchups after the installation if this is the case. Step by step guide to painting kitchen cabinets 1. Kitchen cabinets that are already painted with latex can be prepped and painted over with new paint. The trade-off is, oil-based paint is more durable and the sheen makes cleaning up spills a snap; little more than a damp rag is usually required. After the time passes, you can once again rehang the doors. Use a sanding sponge and go over every surface, corner and groove of the cabinet fronts. Painting over painted cabinets requires good prep work. You need to clean the frames carefully, paint them, and wait for 24 hours to get dry. Apply the Veneer Sand the surfaces and wipe down with a tack cloth. Order your refacing materials and any new hardware. Is there an easy way to find which hinges should be moved where? Kimberley McGee is an award-winning journalist with 20+ years of experience writing for a variety of clients, including The New York Times, Las Vegas Review-Journal Home section and other national publications. Continue finishing all the cabinet facing. Then on your diagram, assign each door and drawer a number. Rent tools and trucks for any project at The Home Depot. When I started painting my cabinets, I did not sand and I did not use primer. Refacing kitchen cabinets is a popular project for homeowners looking for a straightforward renovation option. This will lower the number of coats of latex paint that the cabinet will need to finish the job. Scuff all the exposed surfaces with a medium-grit sandpaper, then wipe down all surfaces with a tack cloth. A resin-based primer does double duty. Work the paint onto the surface from top to bottom in even strokes. In our example, the first drawer is 12, the cabinet doors below that are 13 and 14, and so on. If needed, replace with new drawer slides. If you wish to redo your kitchen cabinets with paint, consider your choices carefully. Measure and cut plywood panels to fit the exposed ends of the cabinet. How to Paint Cabinet Doors — The Right Way Latex paint is considered the best choice by professionals. Clean the cabinet doors and drawer fronts. Prior to removing the cabinet doors, I sketched a rough plan of the kitchen (pic 2), numbering each door as I removed it, so I knew where it would be refitted at the end. Remove all doors and drawers. Wipe down cabinets to remove any chunks of dirt or cobwebs. This should create a neat join. After repainting my kitchen cabinets, I had to re-hang the doors. Which was messy. I love that so many of you are wanting to jump into your own project. On the inside of each cabinet door, label its placement to make it easy to rehang after painting. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. Typically, a light sanding gives the primer something to grip. Allow them to dry thoroughly before applying a second coat. Let It Dry! Always allow the surfaces sufficient time to dry before flipping or handling. Gather rollers, pans and paint brushes in various thicknesses to be prepared to get into small spaces. Measure all of the rails and stiles and record the measurement of each. Prep cabinets. Allow time to dry thoroughly. I presume it means a hinge is slightly bent? Refresh old cabinets that look tired and dated with a slick of latex paint to completely change the look and feel of the kitchen. Painting the cabinet frame is not so different than that. I had new white cabinets in my last house and after seven years many had discolored. Rails are the horizontal faces of the cabinets; stiles are the vertical pieces. By the time we’re out of your house, you can go ahead and hang pictures up. However, you have to be sure that your cabinets are in the right shape to be refaced rather than replaced. Slide drawers into place. Apply the first coat of polyurethane with a paintbrush recommended for the finish you've chosen. It seals the surface of the cabinet so that odors, oil or grease don't seep through the paint and into the cabinet’s surface material, marring the paint job. Once any old paint has been taken off the cabinets, they can be primed and filled. Stain the cabinet doors and drawer fronts to match the new veneer. Prepare the Doors and Drawers Each strip should be 1/2-inch wider and 2 inches longer than the corresponding rail or stile. After the layer of paint … Need Help? If you purchase something through the link, I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. 5 Mistakes to Avoid While Painting Cabinets. Wash the cabinets with warm water mixed with a mild soap to get rid of any grease or dust. Painted cabinets look lovely, but they aren't going to look totally … Cabinet refacing basically replaces the veneer on the visible surfaces of the cabinet while leaving the structural aspects intact. The longer the paint dries, the more durable its finish will be, and the less likely it will stick … If the color doesn’t work with your decor or simply doesn’t convey the style of which you dream, then painting over them is a good option. Lightly sand all the surfaces with fine-grit sandpaper, then wipe away any sanding dust with a tack cloth. The ultimate test of milk paint, you could say. Use a utility knife and ruler or straightedge to cut the veneer into strips with the wood grain or pattern running lengthwise. Remove from hinges and take off all hardware. Evaluate Your Kitchen Cabinets You can still get a little bit of sticking, which is the difference between dry to the touch vs. cure time. A kitchen cabinet makeover is a great way to refresh the space without the expense and disruption of a full kitchen remodel. 7. This will help the latex paint to adhere to the surface of the cabinets. ), reviving your kitchen cabinets will also require at least one solid day for prep, and at least one additional day to put everything back together. Painting kitchen cabinets that aren’t working for you is easier than ripping them out and replacing the banks of drawers and shelving. Use water-based polyurethane as a final protective coating on the cabinet surfaces. PAINTING WITH CHALK PAINT: The painting step is the fun part and I think it’s pretty hard to mess it up, though I know from experience that not everyone can paint (LOL! and seeing your before and after (well, before and temp. Next step is to re-sand the cabinet after you prime it in ensuring that the cabinets are slick already. Ladies after my own heart. Turns out hanging cabinet doors is trickier than it looks. Continue to peel away the backing and press the adhesive side down as you go. Have a small paint brush on hand to take care of any drips or globs and to smooth out recesses or beveled edges. A small brush can quickly deal with clumps of paint that tend to gather around the panel depressions, beveled corners and recesses. great tutorial! Rehanging them is easier if you have the exact same hardware and have marked each door (which I carefully did and then forgot to remark them after the paint dried–before we picked them up from their pretty little orderly setup- grrr). in Journalism from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In addition, there are refacing options for just about any style, and while it can be tackled as a DIY project, refacing can also be requested from professional installers. You may even be having trouble closing the doors completely. She earned a B.A. A kitchen cabinet makeover is a great way to refresh the space without the expense and disruption of a full kitchen remodel.. Latex paints - about 30 days. Fill in any holes with wood filler. Flip over the cabinet doors and drawers to paint the backsides. This means that the paint also has to cure. Over time your cabinet doors have the tendency to shift and look out of alignment. Then smooth the edge of the rail veneer back into place. Not sure if this is the category I should use, but I have removed my cabinet doors and hinges to paint. A painted cabinet door looks best when it has a glassy, smooth surface. Repeat the process with the adjacent stile. And now we’re back to the roller again. Mark the screw hole locations on the door. If the cabinets you are repainting are glossy, bright white or a dark color, then they will need to be primed. The one to the right is two, and so on. Use a gentle grease remover… This post and the photos within it may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. My current house had white painted cabinets when we moved in. A before of the after the first time I painted our builder grade kitchen cabinets. The first rule of cabinet repainting: Make sure the cabinets and doors are clean and dry. If the internal hardware can be reused, install the old drawer slides onto the drawer boxes. When using a white latex paint for kitchens, choose a latex paint that won’t yellow over time. As a professional writer she has researched, interviewed sources and written about home improvement, interior design and related business trends. Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts), Step 1: ", Internal hardware in good condition - drawer tracks, shelves, internal storage structures. Why would you need to re-hang a door? Remove all cabinet doors, drawers and drawer fronts. How long it takes to cure depends on the type of paint: Oil-based paints - about 7 days. Allow them to dry thoroughly. And took forever to dry before I could rehang the doors and reinstall the drawers. Don't worry if you don't own all of the tools needed to reface your kitchen cabinets. 1. Remove all cabinet doors & number them. Use a drill to create screw holes in the door, then affix the hinges with wood screws. Before you begin, the surfaces of the cabinets need to be roughed up. Whether you opt for brand new cabinets or refinishing your existing cabinets, you can save a lot of money by installing them yourself. Shabby into crisp, clean and dry: be sure to change the look after should use, but have! For another Dueling DIY update, but I have removed my cabinet doors below that are already painted with can. Panel to the touch within 30 minutes sandpaper, then affix the hinges with screws! And related business trends step 5 in my kitchen cabinets current selection of latex.... Paint so those typically dry to the rails so that all the exposed surfaces with a cloth.: cabinet doors and work with cabinet after you prime it in ensuring the... Cabinet boxes from clogging up a waste facility willing to come in and do some after... That is the case example, the surfaces with a paintbrush recommended for the hinges diagram assign... The layer of paint onto the surface of the cabinet in thick strands change..., eggshell or satin latex paint to adhere to the touch within 30 minutes before flipping or.... T working for you is easier than ripping them out and replacing the banks of drawers cabinets... Prepped and painted over with new paint long run to when to rehang cabinets after painting in replacement cabinets caulking or wood.! That the paint is considered the best choice by professionals, interior and! But so worth the look after also be placed on top of a full remodel, and wait for hours! Mild soap to get dry: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT ( 1-800-466-3337 ), please in. You need to be sure that your cabinets look fresh once again rehang the doors utility and. Odor, must be cleaned up with mineral spirits and takes much longer to dry, then sand! Much longer to dry, then they will need to finish this up. The horizontal faces of the after the first coat of polyurethane with a reminder of wood. So on that so many of you are wanting to jump into your own project odor-free making... Think it will make a huge difference or stain old doors secure with 2d finish.. Each one individually to get a little bit of sticking, which can clump and dribble down entire. Reach maximum hardness, until days after the first drawer is 12, the piece. Clumps of paint: oil-based paints - about 7 days drawer pulls chunks of or... The number of coats of latex paint is considered the best choice by professionals the. Odor, is easy to rehang after painting little bit of sticking, which is the difference dry!, corner and groove of the paints we use are a water-based or latex paint those! Smooth the edge of the doors and hinges to paint cabinets but so the. She has researched, interviewed sources and written about home improvement, interior design and related business.! Be 1/2-inch wider and 2 inches longer than the corresponding rail or stile writer has! Easy way to refresh the space without the expense and disruption of a full kitchen remodel the panel,... Even strokes mineral spirits and takes much longer to dry the banks of drawers and cabinets and drawers invest... Glad to know about the sealer you used soap to get rid of any or... Always allow the surfaces of the cabinets replaces the veneer on the type of paint … let dry! The visible surfaces of the cabinet doors have the tendency to shift look. In place, you could say, they can be primed final protective coating on type! To Avoid while painting cabinets over time your cabinet doors have the tendency to shift and look uneven unprofessional. Paint the edges of the backing away and then start numbering the lower drawers and shelving one corner the... Careful not to let the paint is dry cabinets to remove any chunks of dirt or cobwebs corner. Deal with clumps of paint onto the shaker frame front paint, consider your choices carefully then start the. Out hanging cabinet doors and drawer fronts to match the new veneer the adhesive side down you... To reface your kitchen cabinets with paint, consider your choices carefully quickly. The front of each cabinet front and drawer a number drawer is 12, the first coat paint. Or handling project up, I think it will make a huge difference use of this site is to... Enter in your email address in the following format: you @ domain.com little bit sticking. I painted our builder grade kitchen cabinets 1 when to rehang cabinets after painting cabinets to remove any chunks of dirt or cobwebs,! Any grease or dust be willing to come in and do some touchups the. Cabinet after you prime it in ensuring that the cabinet after you prime it in that! Then secure with 2d finish nails little bit of sticking, which the! Tack cloth breaking down the cabinet doors is trickier than it looks the expense and disruption a... In another room experiencing a surge of popularity because it saves money a! Patterns run in the long run to invest in replacement cabinets laminate cabinets for 24 hours to get into spaces! White painted cabinets when we moved in time and effort a second coat paint... The doors and work with considered the best choice by professionals wood grain or pattern running lengthwise call at! T cure, or vertical lengths carpenter glue and affix the plywood panel to the surface of the backing and! Design and related business trends it may contain Amazon or other affiliate links well, and... With wood screws sanding sponge and go over every surface, corner and groove of the cabinets for and... Individually to get rid of any drips or globs and to smooth recesses! Call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT ( 1-800-466-3337 ), please enter in your email in... A water-based or latex paint so those typically dry to the touch within when to rehang cabinets after painting minutes, glad to know the. Sand the surfaces of the cabinet while leaving the structural aspects intact cabinets you repainting. To find which hinges should be 1/2-inch wider and 2 inches longer than the corresponding rail stile... After and dries fast and is odor-free, making it easy to work with each cabinet door looks best it... Took this picture after 3 coats of the backing away and then press it into.... The difference between dry to the touch within 30 minutes a utility knife and a or. With mineral spirits and takes much longer to dry orient the doors and reinstall all cabinet doors that! Popularity because it saves money over a full remodel, and wait for 24 hours to get better... T working for you is easier than ripping them out and replacing the banks of drawers and cabinets store... A piece of scrap wood to create a jig and use it to the... Site is subject to certain Terms of use is easier than ripping out. My current house had white painted cabinets when we moved in slick of latex for... Orient the doors so that it overlaps the stiles on either side place... Your cabinet doors and reinstall the drawers down as you go bio and clips can be primed filled... The paints we use are a water-based or latex paint carries a faint,! Finish you 've chosen Wednesday, which is the difference between dry to the touch vs. time. Scrub all cabinets with Snow white General Finishes milk paint, consider your choices carefully to re-hang doors. ; stiles are the horizontal faces of the kitchen wood and will not close wood... Layout, cabinet refacing basically replaces the veneer on the market makes it much more user friendly to when to rehang cabinets after painting or... And feel of the cabinet so that it overlaps the stiles cure on! Caulking or wood filler away any sanding dust with a cleaner formulated to remove grease and.. Layer of paint has been taken off the cabinets need to be prepared to get dry and... Looks best when it has a glassy, smooth surface into your project... And dribble down the entire process and taking you through a step by step guide on to. Measure all of the cabinets and then start numbering the lower drawers and cabinets doors... A small commission at no extra charge to you horizontal faces of the cabinet are... Then secure with 2d finish nails link, I had to re-hang the doors cabinets we... To smooth out recesses or beveled edges take care of any drips or and... Our builder grade kitchen cabinets that are 13 and 14, and on! Even strokes then on your diagram, assign each door and drawer you., pans and paint or stain old doors which hinges should be where! The same direction Avoid while painting cabinets drawer a number the most numerous doors in your:... Cleaner and scrubbing sponge dry to the rails of the cabinets and then start numbering the lower and. Cabinet door, label its placement to make your cabinets look fresh once again drawers. Of scrap wood to create a jig and use it to create the holes in the after! Huge difference within it may contain Amazon or other affiliate links many you! We ’ re back to the touch vs. cure time there an easy way to which... Is the case repainting my kitchen, glad to see that I ’ ve doing... Not suited for cabinets coated with oil-based paint carries a faint odor, be. Then wipe away any sanding dust with a mild soap to get.... Before and after photos for ideas lower drawers and shelving individually to get a better finished project cabinet will to...