Custom Kitchen Cabinets: Where the Brush Meets the Wood

by Kelly Richardson
Face Your Kitchen Columnist

A popular way to customize your kitchen cabinets is with a coat of high-quality paint. And you don't need to be a Picasso in order to get favorable results. From prep work to dry time, here's a quick lesson on patenting custom kitchen cabinets.



Painting custom kitchen cabinets can be completed in a single afternoon, depending upon the size of the room. Preparing for the project is the easiest part. Remove all cabinet doors, all hardware, and cover anything in the room that you don't want paint on with a tarp. Then follow this step-by-step process.

The Process. Don't rush. Don't cut corners. Painting custom kitchen cabinets requires time, a plan, and the patience to do it right.

• Be Dust Free. Kitchen cabinets should be removed and scrubbed with warm water and a gentle detergent to remove dust, grease, and other undesirables.
• Wear a Heavy Coat. Cover custom kitchen cabinets with at least two coats of paint. Allow the first coat to dry completely before applying the second coat.
• Watch the Paint Dry. Give your kitchen cabinets at least 24 to 48 hours of drying time at the conclusion of the project.

Oil versus Latex. Should you use oil or latex paint on your custom kitchen cabinets? The latest advancements in latex paints have given them the edge over oil-based paints in several categories. They dry quickly and clean up with water; latex paints are more convenient than oil-based paints. You might still choose an oil-based topcoat to form a harder, more level shell.

Bottom line? Either type will provide a good finish for your custom kitchen cabinets. Choose a latex paint that's 100% acrylic, which offers your cabinets enhanced durability and adhesion than vinyl acrylic.

About the Author
Kelly Richardson covers the home improvement scene in between his seasonal projects. His articles appear wherever intelligent interior design is valued.