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I just bought a home with kitchen cabinets that are disgusting, unfortunately I have to keep them a while.

I am sure they are not solid wood, looks like partical board with something glued over top for a wood look.

My question is…I would like to paint them with a soft vanilla color and put a shadow of brown on the inside of the raised part.

Would this work? and how would I do it so that it looks like the modern cabinets that have it?

Your response would be greatly appreciated. Brenda

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Hi Brenda, Thank you so much for contacting us at ThatPainterLady.com. We would be happy to try and help you answer this question concerning your kitchen cabinets.

• Can you tell me exactly what type of material is glued onto the partical board?
• Is it wood veneer?
• Has it been painted or stained before?
• Does it have a glossy sheen to it?

Once I get a picture of what we are working with, I can better answer your question. We look forward to hearing back from you, DAWN

Yes, they have a wood veneer glued on to the cupboards. They have been
stained. They are dull.

The raised area is the same but the scallop around them is flat but stained.
I am attaching a pic of the cupboards if that is okay.

P.S my appliances are white, and I am planning on a new countertop. The
color for the cabinets I have chosen is an Almond Honey. I was planning on
putting nantucket knobs on the doors and priming with bin.

Thanks again,

Brenda

I forgot, the light fixture, tile has already been removed. Unfortunately, I will be keeping the floor tile. I will be completely renovating kitchen in two years. But I would love for it to look great in the interim.

Again thanks, Brenda

Hi Brenda, thanks for the picture. It helps give me a better understanding on what you are are working with.

To be very honest with you, this is a huge undertaking. We recently had someone ask a similar question about painting their dark bathroom cabinets, so I am copying the info I sent to her, and sending it to you.

Here are the steps you will need to follow:

1. Clean the cabinets thoroughly with soap and water or a non-abrasive cleaner. Let dry.

2. Remove hardware from cabinet doors

3. Remove cabinets doors - This is optional, depending on how good of a job you want to do. Removing the doors allows you to get a smooth finish without smudging between the door and the door frames

4. Lightly sand with a fine grit sanding pad or steel wool. (In your case, you may need to use a palm sander because you have a lot of cabinets, so it will go faster) It is important that you scuff the surface in order to get a surface that the primer and paint will stick too.

5. Prime the cabinets with a good primer/sealer.

6. Paint away with whatever color you choose. I would use a semi-gloss paint finish for the cabinets. It has a slight shine, and will look gorgeous.

You may want to seal it with a clear coat, but it may not be necessary.

I hope this helps, let us know how it goes. Talk to you soon, That Painter Lady, DAWN

In our desire to help everyone solve their 1950’s style ranch remodeling questions… problems with kitchens are among the most pressing issues.

June wanted some information about how to paint metal cabinets. Some lucky remodelers will be able to rip out cabinets and replace. But… what if you want to keep the integrity of the 50’s style?

photo credit: sheriffmitchell

I have 50ish metal kitchen cabinets that are painted white. I would like to refinish them in a gloss color. Should I strip them? I am concerned about bare metal rusting. Should I sand/Steel wool the paint to a smother finish before repainting?

There is no need to sand all of the paint off the cabinets, just use a fine sandpaper or steal wool. Sand enough to just scuff the surface so the paint can adhere correctly.

It is best to remove the cabinets and paint them outside because you will need to use an oil based enamel or epoxy paint, and the fumes can be a killer. I have read that a few homeowners have actually taken their cabinets to an auto body shop to have them sprayed. That will guarantee a flawless finish, but I am not sure on the price.

If that is not an option, then you may want to rent a sprayer. Painting with a roller or a brush will usually leave marks on the surface. This is unavoidable, no matter how much of a perfectionist you are.

So, here are the steps, if you plan on attempting this on your own:

1. Remove the hardware.

2. Wash the cabinets with a detergent soap to clean off all the grease and stains that have accumulated over time.

3. Scuff the surface with a fine sandpaper or steal wool

4. Paint with enamel or epoxy paint

5. Spray the cabinets and let dry or get a bid from a body shop who will spray them for you

If you are hesitant or unsure about taking on this huge undertaking, start with one cabinet door, see how it comes out. If you are unsatisfied, then you may need to bite the bullet and hire a professional. You can have someone come in and spray the inside and outside of the cabinets for a few thousand dollars depending on your location and how many cabinets you have.

I hope this helps you learn how to paint metal cabinets! Don’t hesitate to ask me about your 1950’s Ranch Remodel Painting Questions!

Dawn