HOW TO PAINT BATHROOM CABINETS YOU WILL NEED:
– Your paint of choice – Primer – Good quality brushes – Paint roller – Sandpaper – Masking tape – Screwdriver
1. PREPARE THE ROOM
Starting by emptying all of the bathroom cabinets and drawers, and clearing all of the surfaces, including any appliances that can be moved. Cover all surfaces, the floor, and anything that cannot be moved with rosin paper or paint sheets, and mark off the wall around the cabinets with masking tape.
2. REMOVE DOORS, DRAWERS, SHELVES AND HARDWARE
Unscrew the doors from your bathroom cabinets, remove all interior shelves, and remove all hardware. If you have multiple bathroom cabinets, label each item with a numbered piece of masking tape, so you know which door or drawer matches which cabinet. Set aside all screws and hardware, putting into groups that correspond with each drawer and cabinet. Take the time to label everything properly to make putting back together easier – you could use small ziplock bags to do this.
3. CLEAN YOUR BATHROOM CABINETS AND WASH THE HARDWARE
The bathroom can be a messy place, so take this opportunity to give your cabinets and hardware a good clean and keep the bathroom hygienic. Spray your cabinets with a degreaser and wipe them down with a rag to remove any oil or grease that has built up over time. Once your cabinets are clean, rinse them thoroughly with water and leave to dry completely. Meanwhile, soak the hardware from each item in a bowl of warm water and dish soap, scrubbing with a sponge or brush where necessary. Then dry and store in labeled bags.
4. SAND DOWN YOUR BATHROOM CABINETS AND REMOVE OLD PAINT IF NECESSARY
Rub down the cabinets with medium-grade sandpaper. Then use wood filler to repair surface imperfections, and use a damp cloth to remove dust and debris. If your cabinets are already painted, now is the time to remove the old paint so that you can apply the new paint more effectively. Do this by sanding, or use a chemical paint stripper if sanding is not enough.
5. PRIME THE CABINETS, DOORS, DRAWERS AND SHELVES
When it comes to painting modern bathroom cabinets, priming is key. Sanding the surface will ensure primer and paint adheres better, and priming stops the wood’s imperfections from showing through the paint. Pour your primer into a paint tray, and apply to the cabinet. Use a paint roller or large square brush on larger, flat surfaces and a smaller angled brush on any tighter spots. Once the cabinet is covered with primer, leave to dry thoroughly. Meanwhile, repeat this step with all doors and drawer fronts. If possible, do this on a covered table in a different room that is well-ventilated. Avoid drips as much as possible, and wipe them up as you go to avoid lap marks around the edges.
6. SAND DOWN THE BATHROOM CABINETS, DOORS, DRAWERS AND SHELVES
Once the primer is completely dry, sand all flat surfaces lightly with grit paper between 180-220 until smooth. Profiled surfaces should be sanded with a medium-grit sanding sponge. Wipe up and remove all dust that is created.
7. PAINT YOUR BATHROOM CABINETS
Start with the cabinet boxes, and then paint everything else while you wait for those to dry. ‘The key thing to know when using paint in a bathroom, is that steam is very much the enemy of paint,’ says paint expert, Annie Sloan. ‘If you’re using Chalk Paint™ in a bathroom, you need to protect the paint with a non-water based finishing sealant such as my Chalk Paint™ Lacquer. The Lacquer will seal the paint and stop it running, dripping, or evaporating away.’ If you are not using glossy paint, make sure to finish with a top coat to seal the paint and keep it safe in the damp environment.
‘Once painted, remember to avoid using harsh bleach chemical cleaners on painted areas,’ Annie adds. Leave the paint to dry completely. Check the guidelines on the paint tin for directions on how long your should wait, but if in doubt leave everything to dry for 48 hours.
8. PUT YOUR BATHROOM CABINETS BACK TOGETHER
Once you have waited for your paint to dry completely, you can reattach all doors, drawer fronts, and hardware. Refer to the labels you made in step 2 to match the correct pieces to their shells. Reattach all draw pulls and cupboard handles, or take this opportunity to replace your hardware with new pieces to go with your fresh lick of paint.