bigstock-Cabinet-detail-13573895_webDid you know that the boilerplate cost of remodeling your kitchen is right around $20,000? Yes, $20,000. That's a significant amount of money. So meaning, in fact, that information technology means I won't be doing any kitchen remodeling someday before long. Certain, I'd similar new cabinets or a new backsplash or a new flooring, just we're just too attached to having things similar groceries and running water. And I don't think we're alone. A lot of people similar groceries and running h2o. And still, many of those same people besides wish they had a ameliorate kitchen.

And that brings me to the good news: in that location are many things y'all can practise that will help you update your kitchen without forcing you to give up those little luxuries nosotros all like to have. Like food in the refrigerator. And i of those projects is painting your kitchen cupboards. If the doors and drawers are structurally sound, why rip them out and supervene upon them? With a little elbow grease, some time, and the right products (I'm looking at you lot RepcoLite and Benjamin Moore), you tin brighten them up and, in so doing, completely change the wait and feel of your kitchen. And all for very little money!

If you think this project could be perfect for your kitchen, here'south what y'all demand to practise:

STEP Ane: Remove the hardware and hinges and label the doors with their location. Removing the hardware and taking the doors downwards requires no explanation. However, let me stress the importance of labeling the pieces. You lot definitely want to make sure you do this!  Find a arrangement that volition piece of work for yous and make sure to mark each door and drawer every bit well equally the place they become in the cabinet. Safe-release (Fragile Surface) painter's record works well. Just make 2 tags with a "i" and put one on the back of the door, and the other on the frame of the cabinet where the door goes. Information technology's a unproblematic step, but volition help y'all when it comes time to put things back together!

STEP TWO: Closely examine the surface of the cabinets and drawers and be sure to remove any peeling paint past sanding and scraping. Whatever paint remains on the surface of your cabinets must exist sound! New pigment brushed over a peeling surface won't make that erstwhile layer stick. The old layer volition continue to fail and will take the new one with information technology. So make sure that whatsoever paint you leave on the doors is adhering well. Also, if you accept to scrape or sand off some of the paint, make sure that you spend some time feathering the bare spots into the spots where the paint remains.

STEP Iii: Clean the surfaces thoroughly. After taking care of loose, flaking, or peeling paint, you need to clean the surfaces with a mixture of 1 part TSP to 4 parts h2o. Kitchens are sources of many different surface contaminants and you need to make sure that the surface you're painting is clean and free of grease, dirt, and and so on. Apply a Scotchbrite ("scrubby") pad with the TSP to thoroughly make clean the surfaces. And if yous take some really stubborn dirt or grease, use the degreaser Spray Ix.

STEP 4:  Scuff-sand the surfaces you're going to paint. Y'all tin use an orbital sander for this, or y'all can do the sanding past hand. Either way, use either 180 – 220 grit sandpaper. The goal isn't to sand through the current finish, it'south only to lightly scuff it. And when you're done, remove all the dust from the cabinets. You tin can blow them off with an air compressor, vacuum the grit off, or wipe information technology off with a solvent like Denatured Alcohol or Xylene. All the same you remove the dust brand sure that information technology'south all removed before moving on to the priming step!

Step FIVE:  Prime the cabinets with a good bonding primer. We recommend STIX Waterborne Primer. It will bail to the previous coating on your cabinets and will provide an excellent base for your topcoat! Let the primer completely dry and and so assess the cabinets for any bleed-through of stain or tannins. This can happen if yous've cut through the original coating while scuff sanding. If you lot do see some bleed through, spot prime those areas with an oil based primer or a white pigmented shellac like BIN.

STEP SIX:  Topcoat with a good cease paint in either a satin sheen or a semi-gloss (for washability). If y'all're brushing, we recommend giving Benjamin Moore's Advance a endeavor. It's a waterborne alkyd which ways you'll get the performance of an oil-based production without the drawbacks. It will flow out remarkably well, providing yous with a smoothen finish even when you castor or roll the pigment on. And, all-time of all, it cleans upward with soap and water and doesn't have the smell of an oil. Some other not bad choice is RepcoLite's own Authentication Ceramic. It rolls and brushes well and or can be sprayed. There are also a few other options we may recommend in the store, depending on your situation.

And that's basically what you lot need to know. Yep, there is some work involved. Yes, it volition accept some time. You'll have to do the sanding and the cleaning, the priming and the painting. Only, when you're done, you'll exist amazed at the difference in your dwelling. And all for every bit little as $200 – $300 (or less!)

If you lot're interested in this projection, please e-mail united states with your questions or type your questions in the comment boxes on this post!