By John Kavanagh, manager,
Pat McDonnell Paints – Galway
Is your kitchen due a refresh? A lick of paint can instantly transform your kitchen and extend the lifetime of your cabinets. At Pat McDonnell Paints, we help customers achieve a full makeover at a fraction of the cost of a new kitchen.
Step 1: Prep
As with all painting projects, preparation is key to achieving an attractive and long-lasting finish. Firstly, protect the surfaces you don’t want to paint. Empty cupboards and drawers and remove all handles. Place dust sheets to protect your floor.
Over the years, grease, dirt and dust can build up on your cabinets. These wreak havoc on paintwork so it’s important to fully clean the units before picking up a paintbrush. Household cleaners leave a film, so we always recommend a degreaser or sugar soap. Mask hinges and where the cabinetry meets walls and tiles. Deltec Gold Masking Tape ensures sharp lines and zero residue.
Tip: Always clean before sanding, as sanding can compress any dirt into your cabinets!
Step 2: Sand
To improve paint adhesion, lightly sand your cabinets with fine-grade sandpaper. Once done, wipe down cabinets with methylated spirits to remove any trace of dust. Allow to dry.
Step 3: Fix
Apply a quality filler to any imperfections (holes, cracks etc ) with a wet filling knife. We like using the Prestonett filler range – ask in-store for the right filler for your cabinets. Once dry, lightly sand and wipe with a clean damp cloth.
Step 4: Prime
Apply one coat of primer. The primer you use will depend on your cabinets, so check with one of our team for the best primer for your project. Leave plenty of time for the primer to fully dry, check the tin for drying times, we often advise leaving it overnight if you can. (Plus, it’s a great excuse to order a well-earned takeaway! )
Tip: For most kitchen cabinets, we recommend using Ralston All-Primer. Not only can this primer be tinted to the colour of your choice, but it is also bio-based and kinder to our environment.
Step 5: Paint
For a smooth, durable topcoat, we recommend one coat of quality paint from the Ralston Aqua range in the colour and finish of your choice. Cut-in and apply your paint with a good quality brush or roller. Leave to dry fully before reaffixing cabinet doors.
Tip: If you feel a second coat is needed, it is important to allow each coat enough time to fully dry before applying the next coat. Don’t be tempted to put the cabinets back too quickly and risk an accidental smudge!
Tools for the job
Deltec Gold Masking Tape
Dust sheets
Fluxaf Power Clean or Douglas Sugar Soap
A microfibre cloth
80 – 100 grit sandpaper
Methylated spirits
Prestonett filler
Filling knife
Wooster Silver Tip or Van Dam Brush
Wooster 4” mohair roller and frame
Ralston All-Primer or Uni-Primer
Ralston Aqua Matt/ Semi-Matt / Satin / Gloss
Inspired? Pop in-store or phone us on 091 380 640 to get expert advice specific to your project as kitchens differ. Fast and free delivery on all orders. Shop all products online at www.mcdonnellpaints.ie
