How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets With a Vintage Feel
- 1). Choose how you want your cabinets to look. A vintage feel can be achieved simply by selecting the appropriate color paint. Think of the colors used during the 1950s and 1960s: retro lime green, strawberry red and bright orange were all the rage. Alternatively, you might want to reproduce an antique feel by distressing the cabinets. Crackle-glaze will give an aged look, as will rubbing back the top coat to reveal a different color beneath. Seek advice from your local hardware store when purchasing paint or specialist finishes.
- 2). Empty and clean the cabinets thoroughly. Every surface must be free of dirt and grease before you begin painting. Protect floor and counter tops with sheeting. Use masking tape to protect wall and tiles adjacent to the cabinets.
- 3). Remove the cabinet doors and unscrew all handles and knobs. You may want to reuse them or replace them with others in a style more appropriate to the finish.
- 4). Wear the mask and goggles. Sand the cabinet surfaces with fine sandpaper. Don't skip this step, as sanding will provide a "key" that new paint can adhere to. The only interior surface you need to paint is the inside of the doors, so there is no need to sand inside of the cabinet boxes. Clean up the dust and wipe surfaces with cloths and mineral spirits.
- 5). Apply a coat of primer to all surfaces. Use a work bench or table for painting the cabinet doors and have a suitable place prepared to stand the doors to dry.
- 6). Paint on the top coat in three thin applications. If you intend to distress the finish by rubbing back to reveal a second color beneath, apply four coats as follows: two coats of the final color, one coat of the second color, then one coat of the final color. Allow each coat to dry thoroughly and sand lightly between applications. If you are aiming for a smooth finish, use either a top quality professional brush or a good roller. Follow the manufacturer's directions if you have chosen a specialist effect such as crackle-glaze.
- 7). Finish by sanding the top coat back to reveal patches of the second color if you have chosen a distressed look. Only rub the areas where natural wear would occur; for example, around door handles and along the edges of doors and drawers. Wipe with a cloth dampened with mineral spirit. Replace the handles and refit the doors to the cabinets.