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How to Paint Bathroom Cabinets for Painting the Perfect Finish?

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Mix the paint. Make sure your paint is thoroughly blended and free of clumps or separation. You can do this with an electric drill with a paint paddle attachment if the paint has been sitting in storage for a while, or simply give it a stir if you’re just bringing it home. The better the paint is mixed, the smoother coverage it will create. Oil based paints may separate more than other varieties. Do your blending outside and set down a few sheets of newspaper or cardboard to protect from splatters.

Apply the base coat. Paint cracks, crevices and other hard to reach spaces first, using a brush to give you greater control. Afterwards, go over flat, broad surfaces using a dense foam roller. Let the initial coat set up for a couple of hours before applying subsequent coats. Don’t worry too much about making the first coat flawless. You can cover up any visible imperfections with later coats.

Paint additional coats as needed. Most cabinets will require two to three coats for a seamless finish. For the final coat, use a steady hand and a consistent brushing pattern. Watch out for drips, as these can permanently settle into the complete finish once it dries. When you’re done, the your cabinets should have a rich, uniform appearance.

Use your best judgment after applying the base coat to decide how many follow-up coats will be necessary. Many new types of paint are self-leveling, which means they won’t run or clot as easily. Working with these paints can save you a lot of frustration in achieving the perfect finish, as well as additional mess during cleanup.

Allow the paint to dry completely. The paint will dry to the touch within 24-48 hours, though it may take up to a week for it to harden to the point that it becomes resistant to scuffs and other marks. Leave the doors open to provide air flow. Keep small children and pets away from wet paint as it dries. Leaving the fan running in the bathroom may help the paint set up at a faster rate.

Replace the doors and hardware. Once the cabinets are dry, reassemble the doors, put all hardware back into place and enjoy the newfound beauty and relaxation of your bathroom. Make sure the paint dries completely before installing the hardware or it will adhere to the paint.

What Should We do before Paint Bathroom Cabinets?

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Like any room in the house, the bathroom can benefit from a makeover every once in awhile. If you want to update the look of your bathroom but aren’t enthused about the idea of dropping an untold sum of money on new installations, consider simply repainting your cabinets or vanity. A fresh coat of paint can drastically change the appearance of your bathroom without the difficulty or expense that comes with extensive renovation. Simply pick a color, then line, prime and paint, and you’re guaranteed to develop a new appreciation for your cozy washroom overnight.

Sanding and Priming the Cabinets. Clean the cabinets first. Before you sand, prime, or paint, you need to thoroughly clean the cabinets. Put on gloves and mix trisodium phosphate (TSP) and water according to the instructions on the box. Dip a sponge in the solution, wring it out, and wipe down each cabinet. Then, wipe down each cabinet with a clean cloth to remove any residue. Be sure to clean the inside and outside of each cabinet.

Remove all doors and hardware. Before you get started, take off the cabinet doors, pull out drawers and pop off false drawer plates. You’ll also want to unscrew any handles, pulls, stops or hinges that might get in the way while you’re painting. This way, you’ll be able to work without obstructions. Keep everything together in one place to avoid losing important pieces. Labeling the individual bits of hardware or placing them in separate plastic bags can make it easier to keep track of everything. If you’d also like to use this project as a chance to install new hardware, this would be an opportune time.

Sand the bathroom cabinets to remove existing paint. Go over the outside of the doors, panels and baseboards with a high-grit sandpaper. There’s no need to remove every trace of paint or lacquer—you just want to make the cabinet’s outer surfaces coarse enough for the primer to cling to. Work out any rough edges or irregularities and aim for a smooth finish. Put on gloves and eye protection before sanding. Sand using smooth, circular motions, moving outward as you progress. Run the sandpaper straight along edges and narrow panels. Don’t forget to get inside corners and along the inner edges of the bathroom cabinet doors. Use a Shop-Vac to deal with the dust and debris when you’re done.

Brush on a coat of primer. Apply a basic primer to the areas you plan on painting. One thin, even coat should do the job. Primer will be useful for protecting the cabinet’s underlying materials and getting the paint to hold better. Primers should be specially formulated for use with the type of paint you’re working with. Water-based primers, for example, should be used only with water-based paints. Lightly sand dry primer to make the painting surface more uniform.

Put down painter’s tape. Use a few strips of painter’s tape to mask the underside and inner edges of the bathroom cabinets, including the area where the bathroom cabinet meets the wall. Mask the countertops as well. Make sure the tape is straight and even to avoid glaring mistakes. Painter’s tape will allow you to establish exact boundaries for your paint job and cover areas that you want to keep clear.

Wider tape will give you a greater margin of error and can be useful for painting near walls and trim. If you’d prefer not to remove your bathroom cabinet doors prior to painting, fold a piece of painter’s tape over the hinges to keep paint from getting on them. If your bathroom is small, consider painting the drawers and bathroom cabinet doors in another space that has better ventilation.