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November 27, 2024 0 Comments

Complete Guide to Cleaning Kitchen Cabinets Before Painting

Cabinets are one of the most important components in the kitchen, offering space. Not only do they help increase storage, but they also enhance the aesthetic appeal of the overall kitchen. But, kitchen cabinets are prone to dirt and grime due to oil splatters and more. Thus, it is essential to paint the cabinets once in a while to retain their appearance.  You must clean kitchen cabinets before painting. This helps in ensuring that the job is successful and long-lasting. This blog will help you explore some top tips for cleaning kitchen cabinets before painting. 

How to Clean Wood Kitchen Cabinets Before Painting?

You must clean sticky wood kitchen cabinets before painting if you want all that grime to disappear. Isn’t it? So, here’s how you can clean the cabinets in your kitchen before you move ahead with the painting job:

Clean grease off kitchen cabinets before painting 

Your glossy kitchen cabinets can acquire a lot of dirt and dust. Therefore, it becomes extremely important to remove the grease to ensure that the paint sticks on the cabinets.

Below are some of the major tips for cleaning grease off the kitchen cabinets:

  • Prepare a mixture of warm water and mild dish soap. 
  • Use a sponge or soft cloth to gently scrub the areas having greasy. Apply very light pressure while scrubbing so as to avoid the risk of damaging cabinet finish. 
  • If the grease is tough to remove, add some baking soda or white vinegar to the prepared solution. Soak the cloth in the newly prepared solution and start cleaning the cabinets. 
  • Once the grease is removed, wipe the cupboards using a dry microfiber cloth. This helps to get rid of the remaining moisture. 

Clean sticky wood kitchen cabinets before painting 

Wooden kitchen cabinets can be slightly difficult to deal with as you may not want to damage the finished look. You need to remove the moisture and protection which is crucial to use protection products like beeswax that will not only remove the kitchen grease but also prevent the wood from drying out. 

You can follow the steps given below to clean sticky wood kitchen cabinets before painting:

  • Make a mild solution of warm water and dish soap. 
  • Soak and dampen a cloth or soft sponge in the solution and clean the greasy or sticky areas of the cabinets. Since you’re dealing with wooden cabinets, be mindful about the pressure you apply while scrubbing the area. 
  • If the wooden cabinet is too sticky, create a paste by mixing baking soda to the existing solution. Apply it on all the sticky areas and let it sit for a few minutes, before scraping it off using a cloth or soft-bristle brush. 
  • Wipe it off completely using a clean, damp cloth. Now, use a clean, dry and soft cloth to buff the wood for removing any moisture. Do not scratch or use any harsh materials as it can damage the wooden surface. Clean and dry the wooden surface to retain its original shine. 

Prep the Cabinets

Painting the kitchen cabinets is a lot about preparing. Therefore, you must do it the right way. Preparing the cabinets for painting ensures that they have a smooth surface finish. Therefore, the paint would stick on the surface for longer, enhancing appearance and durability.  The cabinets must be clean and dry. You may use a damp sponge to clean kitchen cabinets before painting. If the cabinet has a very smooth finish or extra dirt collection, it is advisable to use sandpaper. Once that is done, let the cabinets dry for a while. 

Degrease the Cabinets

It is very important to clean grease off kitchen cabinets before painting. Therefore, for this purpose, you need to find a degreaser that fits all your needs. You need to scrub the cabinets or use a software sponge brush to degrease them.  A damp microfiber cloth can be equally useful in degreasing the cabinets. Once that is done, you must leave the cabinets open for air drying before proceeding with sanding and painting. If you don’t, then the moisture trapped in the woods will have an impact on paint adhesion. As a result, you will get an uneven finish on the cabinets. 

Sand the Cabinets

Sanding the cabinets can provide a great appeal to the cabinets before painting. Moreover, it also helps to increase adhesion to the primer. It is usually advisable to use 150 to 220-grit sandpaper to offer the cabinets a clean and smooth finish.  You must be very careful while sanding the cabinets and ensure a smooth finish. If not, it will leave an awful look to the cabinets, making it appear dirty and uneven. 

Caulk and Repair

Caulking and repairing is one of the most important steps to clean kitchen cabinets before painting. This process helps fill the space between walls and cabinet doors, thereby offering an enhanced aesthetic appeal.  When you clean sticky wood kitchen cabinets before painting, it is advisable to caulk the doors thoroughly, especially before painting. This helps to smoothen the surface while fixing major problems like cracks, holes, and even dents. 

Apply Cabinet Primer

Since you are to paint the kitchen cabinets, using a high-quality primer before the actual job is advisable. An acrylic primer will suppress the stains, maximize the hides, and offer excellent adhesion to the wood surfaces of your cabinets.  You should choose a primer that matches the color of your cabinets. It is advisable not to use a lacquer-based primer as it may hamper the overall look. Once you have primed the cabinets, wait for an hour at least to let them dry. It is advisable to reach out to expert services for kitchen painting in Brampton, like Flex Painting Inc., to apply primer on cabinets.

Sand the Cabinets

As the primer dries up, make sure to sand the cabinets thoroughly again. Using a sanding block helps to clean grease off kitchen cabinets before painting, which may have been difficult to remove earlier.  You should thoroughly check the spaces that may have drips or pools and the corners. When you’re sanding the space this time, it is advisable to make the surface as smooth as possible. This will help in ensuring a smooth coat of paint. Once done, clean it with a slightly damp cloth and let it dry. 

Paint the Kitchen Cabinets

Now, it’s time to apply a fresh coat of paint on your kitchen cabinets. Opt for a brush while you may want to use a paint roller. You can use the paint roller to paint the flat surfaces, but a brush to clean the outer and inner edges.  Since this is the first coat of paint, let it dry for a while before applying the second coat of paint. Once the first coat dries off, sand it again. Then, after a few hours, you can use a fresh coat of paint on your kitchen cabinets. 

Final Words

Once the final coat of paint is applied, it is advisable to let it dry. It is very important to clean kitchen cabinets before painting to enhance your entire kitchen’s appearance. Professionals at Flex Painting Inc. can help with all your kitchen painting requirements. So, you can connect with the experts to get kitchen painting services in Brampton and modify the entire appeal of your kitchen.