Replacing kitchen cabinets is a great way to improve the look of your kitchen; although not always practical. A great way to give your kitchen an inexpensive "face lift" is to paint your existing cabinets. It is fairly easy to do if you have some painting experience and patience! Just grab your materials, find a good work area (a place to lay the cabinets flat at waist level is best) and get started!
MATERIALS NEEDED:
Medium grit sandpaper (a palm sander makes it go faster, or you can use a sanding block)
Paper towels
Primer
Paint tray
Small foam paint rollers
Semi-gloss paint
Small foam brushes
Tools to remove hardware such as a screwdriver
LET'S GET STARTED!
1. Remove cabinet doors
2. Remove hinges and knobs
* TIP - using scotch tape, tape the screws to the hinges or put in a zip lock bag
3. Remove contents of cabinets
* I recommend starting with the upper cabinets first
4. With a sanding block or palm sander and medium grit sandpaper, "rough up" the surface of cabinets and the cabinet doors.
*Make sure to really do this well, or the primer will not stick.
5. Using clean, damp paper towels, wipe down the surfaces to remove the dust and allow to dry completely.
6. Using a small, white foam roller, apply a coat of primer to the surfaces. These give you the smoothest finish without having to spray on your paint. Use a foam brush in recessed areas.
*I have used Zinser 1-2-3 in the past for smooth surfaces and it has worked great.
7. Allow to dry COMPLETELY according to the directions on the container
**I can't stress enough to let it dry completely in between coats for proper adhesion**
8. Apply a second coat, allowing to dry according to the directions, usually overnight.
9. Check for drips or uneven areas on your surfaces. Buff with sandpaper and re-prime if needed.
*Next I usually do a "scratch" test. Using a fingernail, lightly scratch a small area of a cabinet. If the primer easily peels, Go back to step FOUR.... seriously.
10. Apply a light coat of semi-gloss paint - allow to dry overnight.
11. Apply a second coat of paint - allow to dry completely. Maybe a third coat? Probably.
12. Reinstall cabinets and hardware.
* I recommend soaking the hardware in Dawn and cleaning with an old toothbrush to restore them to a "new" look.
Follow the directions on the paint container for cleaning your newly painted surface.
Wow! Now your cabinets look great and it was well worth the effort!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Loving your home without moving
In today's market many people are choosing to stay put rather than try to sell their homes. Even if you hate your bathroom, need an extra bedroom or rather eat out than have to walk in an ugly kitchen again, you can love the home you're in without spending a fortune!
The most popular upgrades are kitchens, bathrooms and basements. Here are some tips to love the home you're in:
KITCHENS
There are many ways to improve the look and feel of your kitchen without a huge price tag. Just painting or re staining your existing cabinets, adding a new countertop and applying a fresh coat of paint in a cheerful color can really make the kitchen feel new. There are lots of low cost flooring options as well.
BATHROOMS
Installing a half or whole bath in a bedroom or small corner of the house can make a huge difference! It adds value to your home - not to mention cut down on arguing over who gets the bathroom first!
BASEMENTS
You are paying for ALL of your house - why not use it? Finishing a basement can give you an extra bedroom for an older child or guest suite, have a space for toys and rambunctious children to play, or a relaxing hub for watching family movies. Check around for several bids on the job - it is more reasonable than you might think!
FIX THE SMALL THINGS
Minor repairs that go unfixed can lead to bigger problems, such as a faucet leak. They also nag at your ever full to-do list. When all the small fixes are finished - you will have piece of mind and stuff that works right, making you love your home even more.
Not a DIY'er? HandyMark can help you with all those things we talked about here, and yes - at a price that is fair and quality of work that you will love.
The most popular upgrades are kitchens, bathrooms and basements. Here are some tips to love the home you're in:
KITCHENS
There are many ways to improve the look and feel of your kitchen without a huge price tag. Just painting or re staining your existing cabinets, adding a new countertop and applying a fresh coat of paint in a cheerful color can really make the kitchen feel new. There are lots of low cost flooring options as well.
BATHROOMS
Installing a half or whole bath in a bedroom or small corner of the house can make a huge difference! It adds value to your home - not to mention cut down on arguing over who gets the bathroom first!
BASEMENTS
You are paying for ALL of your house - why not use it? Finishing a basement can give you an extra bedroom for an older child or guest suite, have a space for toys and rambunctious children to play, or a relaxing hub for watching family movies. Check around for several bids on the job - it is more reasonable than you might think!
FIX THE SMALL THINGS
Minor repairs that go unfixed can lead to bigger problems, such as a faucet leak. They also nag at your ever full to-do list. When all the small fixes are finished - you will have piece of mind and stuff that works right, making you love your home even more.
Not a DIY'er? HandyMark can help you with all those things we talked about here, and yes - at a price that is fair and quality of work that you will love.
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