Painting a wooden surface is the easiest, fastest, and cheapest way to enhance its look entirely. Wood is an easy-to-paint surface and adapts to the paint much better than most materials, making the final outcome more satisfying. When painting a wooden cabinet, you can choose from several paint options, such as oil-based enamels, latex, matte finish, satin finish, etc., depending on the outcome you are aiming for. Painting an entire bathroom cabinet can be intimidating, but taking all the steps carefully and using the proper tools can give you a decent-looking bathroom. Keep reading the article further to know more about giving your bathroom a makeover.
Parameters to Consider Before Painting Your Old Bathroom Cabinets
There are certain things that need to be considered before painting your old bathroom cabinets. Following are some parameters you can consider:-
Planning
Before jumping onto the procedure of painting an old bathroom cabinet, plan it all thoroughly. Choose a color as per the aesthetics of your bathroom’s interior. Make a budget and other minor changes you may need to make, such as knobs and handles.
Test Your Paint Color
A patch test is required to know how many coats of paint you’d need and what kind of color will be the final outcome after applying several coats of paint if the paint is durable or peels off easily. These are all the concerns you should be aware of.
Painting Prep
Painting prep is a must if you want to avoid a last-minute mess and an exhausting painting session which can be a fun DIY if you prepare everything in advance, such as taping the area where you don’t want the paint to spill, Removing the previous paint and sanding and caulking the surface if necessary.
Primer Coat
A primer coat is the best way to ensure an even paint coverage. This coat will conceal all the spots and provide an empty canvas to paint especially while changing the cabinet’s color lighter from a darker shade.
What Are the Requirements for Painting the Cabinet?
Here is the list of tools you may require based on how challenging or easy this DIY painting the cabinet project is:
Tools Required |
Materials Required |
| Bucket | TSP[ Trisodium Phosphate ] or TSP substitute |
| Putty Knife | Paint and paint primer |
| Roller for Applying Paint | Sandpaper [150 grit ] |
| Bristle Paint Brush (Natural or Synthetic) | Tape used in painting |
| Gloves | Drop cloths |
| Primer | Wood putty or wood filler |
| Paint tray | New Knobs and pulls [ if required ] |
| Screwdriver | New hinges |
| Rubber gloves | Tack clothes |
Instructions for Painting Old Bathroom Cabinets
Painting a surface is easy and fun if you do it properly with all the precautions and preparations done beforehand. Here are some minor but important stuff you need to take care of.
Start With Your Preparation
DIYing a project is a work of art and it takes time to complete any project with perfection. So, take it slow and don’t skip any step, assuming it is unnecessary.
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Start by taking off the knobs, handles, and other hardware, such as screws, etc.
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For the next step, you need to remove the paint by sanding it off; doing this will remove the paint and make the surface smooth for a better finish.
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Now, for the final step, you’d need to tape the areas where you don’t want to inadvertently paint.
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Lay down old clothes near the bathroom cabinet to avoid spilling paint on the floor.
Set-Up Painting Essentials
Look for a spacious place with good lighting, ventilation, and ample space to lay out all the doors and drawer fronts. Besides this, gather all the required tools and materials to avoid the last-minute hassle of finding that brush with good bristles or that sandpaper.
Repair The Holes/ Scratches
Paint will look smooth on a regular surface, and use wood putty to fill out all the dents and holes, which are not required. Upon drying wood putty, sand it off to remove the excess to have a smooth surface.
Time for Primer
Priming the surface before painting is the most important part which you can’t skip if you want to have a smooth and professional-like outcome of the paints.
Now start with the primer and let the paint set well. Start with one area of a cabinet at a time; don’t rush, and cover all the parts adequately. If you are using glossy Primers or Paints, then go for foam rollers rather than nap rollers as foam rollers are less likely to leave marks.
Start Painting Your Old Cabinets
For the final step, all you need to do is paint. If you follow all the instructions wholeheartedly, you won’t face many issues while painting the cabinets.
Once the primer is all dry start painting the cabinets in the same way you applied the primer. This is a crucial part that needs more attention for a finished look. Paint both sides of the cabinet doors. Give it two proper coats; don’t apply the second coat until the first coat is dried entirely, and in the end, let it dry properly for a new touch in your bathroom.
Conclusion
Giving your outdated cabinets a new look is a great decision for enhancing the entire bathroom’s aesthetics. The only area that needs attention is the quality of the material used because this ain’t worked for a few years. Rather, it should last long. Complete it calmly and keep adding small details to your work, like picking up glossy shades of paint. Work with patience and trust your process.
