How to Repaint Your Under Sink Cabinet

An under sink cabinet is usually exposed to high humidity, especially when it is used in the bathroom. With time, the paint on the cabinet will definitely crack and peel off leaving unsightly-looking furniture in the room. The best way to fix the issue is to repaint it with paint that has strong water sealing qualities instead of buying a new under sink cabinet. Here is how it is done.

Step 1 – Prepping the Under Sink Cabinet

Remove all hardware on the cabinet before starting the repainting job. Unhinge the doors as well to allow easier repainting. Using a putty knife or a scraper, remove the peeling or cracked paint to make the paint stripping easier. When most of the cracked paint has been removed, apply paint stripper according to manufacturer’s instructions. If you decide not to use paint stripper, simply sand off the old paint.

Before applying the primer and paint, tape the corners of the walls and other hardware that should not be painted. Place old newspapers on the floor as well to protect it from paint splatters. Removing paint from surfaces is a very tedious process so make sure to cover the surrounding areas.

Step 2 – Priming the Cabinet

Allow the cabinet to dry and be free from the paint stripper before priming. In addition, sand the surfaces with a rough grit sandpaper to provide a rough surface where the primer can easily bond itself. When choosing a primer, take into consideration the material used to build the cabinet (which is usually wood). One recommendation is to buy a primer that is at the same time a water sealer.

For a uniform prime, make use of a mini roller. Although a paint brush can also be used for the job, a paint roller can make the priming process a lot faster and more uniform. Prime the surfaces evenly and allow the product to dry. The drying process will depend on the type of primer used—some take about 2 hours to dry, while other will take 24 hours. Other factors like room temperature and ventilation will also affect the drying process.

Step 3 – Applying the First Coat

Choose a good paint for the job—latex or oil-based. Any paint will do as long as it is designed for cabinets that are exposed to high degrees of moisture. To start with, sand the surfaces of the primed cabinet with fine grit sandpaper. The purpose here is to lightly sand the surfaces to produce a rougher surface. Apply the first coat evenly and allow it to dry accordingly.

Step 4 – Applying the Finishing Coat

The finishing coat is very important because it shields the cabinet from moisture and other contaminants. Therefore, it is advisable to apply it thickly, but uniformly. Allow the coat to dry before reinstalling the hinged parts of the cabinet.