How to Paint Veneer Cabinets: 5 Steps to Success
Give your old veneer cabinets a facelift with this DIY paint project
- Paint tray
- Paint brush
- Paint tray liners (optional)
- Paint roller frame
- Drop cloths
- Paint
- Trisodium Phosphate (TSP)
- Painters tape
- Bonding primer
- High-density foam roller
A high-quality paint job can transform a drab piece of furniture into a head-turner that elevates the look of your space. So before you replace your old cabinetry, why not try to learn how to paint veneer cabinets? From materials to execution to helpful tips, this step-by-step guide will show you how to paint veneer cabinets successfully.
Prepping to Paint Veneer Cabinets
Don’t pop open the paint just yet. Prep work is essential for the best results. First, remove and put away any items in the cabinets and cabinet drawers. Next, use a screwdriver to remove all cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware.
Then, thoroughly clean the doors and drawers to remove any debris, grease, and grime. Wipe down your cabinets a few times with Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) cleaner. For extra greasy cabinets, you may need a degreaser. It’s very important to remove all grime and dirt from your veneer cabinets, otherwise the primer and paint won’t hold. Lastly, cover the bases and sides of the cabinets with painter;s tape to protect your floors and walls.
Sand the Cabinets
Photo: sturti / E+ / Getty ImagesOnce your cabinet doors and drawers are completely clean, use a very fine (150 to 220 grit) sandpaper or a medium grit sanding sponge to sand the surfaces until smooth. But be careful not to sand away the veneer. Make sure to sand the doors, faces of the drawers, and the face frames.
If your veneer cabinets have chips you’d like to remove, now is a good time to fill them with wood filler. Then, once the filler becomes solid, sand the cabinets again. After sanding, use a tack cloth or a microfiber cloth to wipe down the sanded surfaces thoroughly.
Apply Primer
Apply the first coat of paint primer to your sanded, smooth, and clean cabinet doors and drawers. Use a paintbrush for smaller areas like the face frame, and use a foam roller for larger surface areas such as the doors and drawers. You’ll want to choose a quality bonding primer to ensure the paint will lock onto the cabinets.
Let the first coat of primer dry for four to six hours, then sand and clean it again. Then, apply a second coat of primer. Two coats of primer should be sufficient for this project.
Paint the Cabinets
Photo: simonapilolla / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty ImagesIt’s finally time for the fun part—painting. You’ll want to use 100 percent acrylic, semi gloss latex paint, which will give the veneer cabinets a smooth and long-lasting finish. Do some research on the best paint for cabinets, then choose a brand and color that best suits your needs and taste.
It’s best to apply several lighter coats of paint rather than fewer thick coats. Pour your paint into a paint tray. Use a roller to paint the cabinet frames and doors and use a brush to paint smaller surfaces like the inside edge of the cabinet frame.
After each coat of paint, wait at least 24 hours for the paint to cure. Then, sand and clean the cabinets before starting the next coat. Repeat this process until the cabinets look to your liking. This process will take some patience, but the stunning results will be worth it.
Wait for Cabinets to Dry
After completing your final coat, remove the tape and wait for the paint to dry before reassembling your cabinets. Wait at least 48 hours to ensure the paint has cured completely.
Reassemble the Cabinets
Once the paint has completely dried, you can put your cabinets back together. Reattach the cabinet doors, drawers, and any other hardware you removed. You can also put any items back inside.
If you want to upgrade the old cabinet hardware, now is the perfect time. Instead of reattaching your existing handles or pulls, you can install new hardware. Keep in mind that if the new hardware has different dimensions, you’ll have to drill new holes in your cabinets.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Painting veneer cabinets is a relatively easy DIY project that most homeowners can tackle without the help of a pro. If you’re willing to sacrifice some of your time and roll up your sleeves, doing the job yourself can save money. You can expect to spend $100 to $500 on paint and supplies, but you’ll save on labor costs.
However, you also have the option of hiring a local cabinet painter to do the hard work for you. Most professional painters charge between $20 and $50 per hour, with the average cost to paint kitchen cabinets landing around $900 for a 150-square-foot kitchen. The price to hire a pro will vary based on the size of your space, the number of cabinets, type of paint, and other factors.
Helpful Tips for Painting Veneer Cabinets
While it’s true that painting veneer cabinets takes time, a bit of skill, and patience, you can get the job done successfully. Here are a few tips that may help with this painting project.
Use high-quality materials: When buying tools and materials like paint, brushes, rollers, and primer, make sure you’re investing in quality materials. This decision will cost a bit more, but having high-quality materials will give you the best results.
Do a thorough job, even if it takes longer: The success of your project depends on thoroughness. It will take a bit of time and elbow grease to completely clean and sand your cabinets. You’ll also have to apply multiple coats of primer and paint. It can be tempting, but avoid cutting corners during the process for optimal results.
Follow instructions for drying and curing specific to your paint: The drying and curing times vary depending on the paint. Make sure to read and follow the instructions carefully. Make sure the paint is cured fully. Even if it feels dry, this doesn’t always mean that it’s fully cured.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s important to sand your cabinets before you paint them so that your paint job will hold. However, in some cases, you might be able to skip the sanding. For example, you could use certain types of paint, like mineral or chalk paint, that don’t require heavy sanding. You might also be able to use a high quality bonding primer or a liquid deglosser which allows the paint to stick without sanding.
For a smooth and long-lasting finish, opt for an 100 percent acrylic, semi gloss latex self-leveling paint. There are many brands and types of paint to choose from, so do research before deciding which one is best for your project. Some paints even have qualities that might save you time. For example, some paints have primer so you can skip priming separately and start painting right away.
