Can You Spray Paint Kitchen Cabinets | Step by Step Guide

If you’re thinking of giving your kitchen cabinets a makeover, chances are you’re interested to know the answer to one question. Can you spray paint kitchen cabinets?

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Read on to get the step-by-step process on how you can cost-efficiently give your kitchen cabinets a new look!

Can You Spray Paint Kitchen Cabinets | Step by Step Guide

If you’re wondering can kitchen cabinets be spray painted, you’re in for a treat. Spray painting kitchen cabinets is one of the best methods to repaint old kitchen cabinets.

While you can also use regular paint brushes and rollers, using spray paint eases the job of painting broader spaces.

You’ll also save money at how much cost can kitchen cabinets be spray painted, for more or less only $250.

Spray Cans vs. Paint Sprayer

Now, can kitchen cabinets be spray painted using spray cans and paint sprayer? While you can use both, the best course of the way is to use a paint sprayer.

Why is this the case? It’s because canned spray paint can only cover a limited space of around 20 square feet.

Meanwhile, a paint sprayer can hold about 1.5 quarts, making it less wasteful and easier to use. As such, purchasing multiple canned spray paint will cost higher than renting or buying a paint sprayer.

Let’s look at the materials you need to accomplish the task of can you spray paint kitchen cabinets.

Materials

HVLP paint sprayer
Primer
Latex enamel paint
Trisodium phosphate (TSP)
Sponge and detergent
Sandpaper
Tack cloth
Painter’s tape
Ziploc plastic bag
Wood putty
Drill
Screwdriver
Fan

Step 1: Clean the Cabinets

The first step of how can kitchen cabinets be spray painted is to clean the entire cabinet thoroughly.

Make sure to label the doors along with their hardware while removing them to make the reinstallation part seamless.

Scrub all parts of the kitchen cabinets using a sponge and a combination of water and dish detergent.

This process will remove all the grease and stuck particles that can affect how the paint and primer will adhere.

Step 2: Mask Adjoining Surface

Note that using a spray painter can produce over-spray. Hence, it’s vital to mask areas carefully you will not paint, such as the hinge holes, to avoid a mess.

You also have to wrap off the walls and flooring and cover appliances and countertops.

Step 3: Repair and Prep

Before painting, it’s important to ensure that you repair any damage to the kitchen cabinets’ surface. It includes all dings, scratches, holes, and bumps.

Lightly sand the damaged surfaces with sandpaper. Fill in gaps using putty and then lightly sand the surface again.

Make sure to wipe down the surface with a tack cloth to remove dust particles before priming.

Step 4: Priming

For the priming process of can kitchen cabinets be spray painted, you will need to use a regular paintbrush.

The bristles will help apply the primer into crevices, unlike rollers that leave a texture. Let the primed area dry before proceeding to primer the frames and sides.

Step 5: Sanding

Using fine-grit sandpaper, sand along the surface’s grain. Make sure not to round over edges and corners. Wipe the dust particles from the surface using a tack cloth.

Step 6: Use Brush for Painting Cabinet Sides

Paint the frames, stiles, inside edge, and any exposed sides using a brush. If you mix a thinning additive to the paint, rest assured that the brush marks will not be visible upon drying.

Step 7: Practice

A high-volume, low-pressure (HLVP) paint sprayer will give a thin and even paint coat. This process of can kitchen cabinets be spray painted also produces minimal over-spray for easier control.

Since you’ll need to gauge how to use the paint sprayer, the key is to practice first. You can create a makeshift booth to spray cardboard or wood pieces to test it out.

The recommended distance of spraying is around 10 to 12 inches from the surface.

Typically, you can adjust the paint sprayer’s flow rate to avoid running and its nozzle for a vertical fan pattern.

Step 8: Start Painting

Once you get used to using the paint sprayer, you can now proceed to the main step of can kitchen cabinets be spray painted.

The secret to a seamless process is to always start with the back areas.

If you missed some spots, you could address them during the second coat. You will apply this after drying the first coat overnight.

Step 10: Touch Up Runs

If you notice runs on the surface, you can fix them using a brush when the paint is still wet.

However, if the paint is already dry, you can sand it out and repaint that specific area.

Step 11: Reinstall

After drying, you can now reinstall your freshly-painted doors and drawers in your kitchen!

Can You Paint Laminate Kitchen Cabinets

Now that you know the process of can you spray paint kitchen cabinets, then can you paint laminate kitchen cabinets?

Laminate kitchen cabinets are the best choice for kitchens with modern and contemporary themes. It is a synthetic material bonded to the exterior of kitchen cabinet doors and drawers.

Moreover, laminates are inexpensive but offer high-durability and long-lastingness. It also comes in different textures, colors, and finishes.

How to Paint Laminate Kitchen Cabinets | Step by Step Guide

The process of can you paint laminate kitchen cabinets requires learned skills and knowledge. Otherwise, you’re in for a headache of poor adhering, streaking, peeling, and chipping.

That said, here’s all you need to know about the procedure of can you paint laminate kitchen cabinets:

Step 1: Preparation

First, you have to remove all doors and drawers from the frame, including hardware.

Part of the preparation process is also to repair any damage, such as holes, bumps, and cracks. You can use a putty or wood filler to address these.

If the laminate coating is peeling, the best way to repair it is through the use of wood glue and a clamp.

Once it has set and dried, you can now clean the surfaces from dirt, grease, and particles. You can use a degreaser or a dish detergent to do this job.

Step 2: Sanding

Sanding the surface of the laminate coating scuffs the gloss that can affect how the paint will adhere.

Since we’re talking about thin coatings in can you paint laminate kitchen cabinets, you need to be gentle in sanding.

Make sure not to put too much pressure and force. After that, wipe all the dust from the surface.

Step 3: Priming

The priming process will smoothen the surface of the laminate material. Without this, there is a chance for the paint to not properly and adhere and have a bubbly finish.

Make sure to get a high-adhesion primer for the best adhesion.