Painting Over Glazed Kitchen Cabinets

Painting over glazed kitchen cabinets can be a difficult task if the proper preparation work is not completed. As most people know, paint does not stick to the glaze upon the cabinets, so it must be removed first. Then a good primer coat can be applied, along with the high gloss paint. This is a task that most people can accomplish without hiring a professional, as long as you are willing to put a little time and effort into the project.

Step 1 - Remove the Hardware

Remove all the hardware with a screwdriver. The handles and hinges absolutely have to be removed in order to maintain their original appearance. Taping them off does not effectively prevent the paint from getting onto them.

Step 2 - Sand

Using a power palm sander with a fine grit paper, sand the entire cabinet, inside and out. The point of this step is to remove the glaze that is on them. You do not have to sand all the way down to bare wood. As long as the glaze is gone, the primer will stick. When doing around the edges and corners make sure that you take time and get them well, otherwise the corners will not match the rest of the cabinet. If you have too, get a small sanding block and use it for them.

Step 3 - Clean

Use a clean cotton rag and wipe the dust particles off. If you have to use a damp rag feel free to do so, but allow time for the cabinet to dry before attempting to apply primer or paint, otherwise it will bubble and crack, which will cause some peeling to occur.

Step 4 - Apply Primer

After the once glazed kitchen cabinets have been sanded and cleaned the primer coat can be applied. Use a brush to cut in the corners and edges, then a small roller to create a uniform finish. Many people mistakenly think that a primer coat has to be a solid coat, like paint. In actuality, the primer coat is simply a way to ensure that the paint sticks to the cabinet, so as long the primer is applied to all areas of the cabinet, it will effectively to its job. Do not worry if the primer coat does not actually coat the surface because it is not designed to do so.

Step 5 - Apply Paint

Apply the high gloss paint in the same manner as you applied the primer. Use the brush for the cutting in portion and then a small roller to complete the work. However, if you prefer the brush look, then apply the paint with the brush to achieve it.

Allow the first coat to dry and then apply another. Some specific colors may even require a third coat, so just pay attention to how the paint coats the surface and use your own judgment. You will know if two coats will work.