Photo: Geoffrey Gross
Photo: Geoffrey Gross
Photo: Geoffrey Gross
Colors for cabinets and walls that complement each other are more pleasing to the eye than dramatic color differences.
These site-built cabinets from the 1960s still had years of service ahead of them, but their look was outdated.
Transformed by paint and new hardware, the cabinets now the focal point of a brighter, more welcoming kitchen.
To paint the cabinets, painter Vytas Misenis, of Woodbury, Connecticut, starts with a wash to remove dirt and grease and ensure a good bond between the old surface and new paint.
Sanding prepares the surface for a primer coat by removing any remaining surface grime and giving the old wood "tooth."
Misenis will move these doors to the garage for prepping and painting, minimizing mess inside the house.
Fill nail holes and other defects, and then sand them smooth. You might need to put on a second application of filler after the primer has dried.
An orbital sander makes more dust but speeds up the job, and in the garage the extra mess doesn't matter.
After you have removed the sanding dust, apply the primer.
A smooth topcoat is the reward for careful prep work. Misenis uses a high-quality natural-bristle brush and finishes with long strokes for a finished surface that doesn't show brush marks.
