Hello,
We have a customer that wants us to paint their cabinets. We haven’t done much of that line of work, so I have a question. Their cabinets are probably a poplar veneer on a particle board core. They were finished with a dark stain and lacquer (the lacquer is probably halfway gone, as these are 30-40 year old cabinets).
I am wanting to make sure that I am on the right track for painting them. We would mask the appropriate areas, and lightly sand all surfaces to be painted with 120 grit sandpaper, to rough it up a little. Then we would paint with the Benjamin moore primer and then two coats of Satin Impervo. It’s not that I like working with oil-based paint, it just lasts much longer and seems to be much tougher.
Is this the “right” way to do it, or do you guy have any suggestions? Would you have any concerns about painting over the lacquer? Would you recommend sanding the lacquer off? It wouldn’t be too hard – just some extra time. But our business is all about “whatever it takes to do it right…”
Thanks!
John316
Replies
I would make sure that all grease and silicone is removed with the proper solvent. I'd have to see the condition, but probably wash with TSP solution, followed by a mineral spirits wipedown. Make sure the primer blocks stains too. The stain may creep through if you dont block it. Supposedly, the new fashion is to use a brush for applying the paint, but I'm more partial to nice smooth paint jobs.
Thanks guys!
Thank you for the suggestions. I really appreciate it. I will check out the link to the paint that you suggested.
Thanks,
John316
Satin Impervo (alkyd) has a long history of yellowing over time.
I have a client who did this and had someone use this -http://www.finepaintsofeurope.com/hollandlac_info.aspx over the primer - the results were *spectacular* (and very glossy).
If'n Frenchy was still around, he'd tell you to put a coat of shellac over the freshly sanded surface before painting.
Be wary
I've a friend in the furniture refinishing business and he absolutely refuses to refinish kitchen cabinets. He's done those jobs in the past and learned that its nearly impossible to remove all the built up grease and grime which will eventually loosen the new finish. Frame and panel doors are especially nasty to prepare. So scrub the corners well if you take on this job.
2 mo late reply
When I first moved in to my house the kitchen was really rough and the cabinets just needed anything, and after a coat of BIN/Shelac primer, and believe it or not a coat of semi gloss latex, I am prett satisfied with the results. The primer worked really well, and if there is/was a flaw the latex is not durable enough to withstand kids and a dog.
I just wanted to let you know that shelac pimer on a glossy surface that had been only cleaned has worked out for me pretty well.
Be warry like the previous post but I think you are on the right track. Good luck.