Prepare your work surface by wiping down the walls or all sides of the cabinet with a dust cloth or damp rag. Look for stray screws or nails sticking out of the surfaces as you go. Remove unnecessary nails or screws using a claw hammer or screwdriver.
Remove cabinet hardware, such as handles and hinges, using a Phillips screwdriver. (You may need a flat-head screwdriver if the cabinet hardware is antique.) Be sure to remove all hardware from cabinet doors if you do not wish to paint over the hardware. Set the cabinet hardware aside.
Cover any areas that should not receive paint with painter’s tape. Place a dropcloth or old newspapers on the floor of your work area to prevent paint from damaging the floor.
Open the paint primer container and stir with a paint stir stick. Pour some of the primer into a paint tray. Dip the paintbrush or roller into the primer, wiping the brush or roller on the inside of the tray edge to remove excess primer. Apply the primer to the wall or cabinet using your chosen painting tool. Allow primer to dry thoroughly.
Repeat Step 3 using your base-coat paint color instead of primer, and using a fresh brush or paint roller and paint tray. Allow paint to dry completely.
Mix latex glaze and a second paint color according to the instructions on the glaze container. Dip the tip of a clean paintbrush into the glaze paint mixture, and wipe the excess onto the rim of the container. Brush the paint onto the wall or cabinet with strong, bold crossing strokes, keeping the strokes somewhat random. Rub the fresh paint with a rag if you’d like a softer, warmer look, or leave as is if you like the look of the brush strokes. Continue painting small areas of the wall, or one surface at a time on the cabinet, until all surfaces are painted. Allow paint to dry thoroughly.
Things You Will Need
Dust cloth or damp rag
Claw hammer
Phillips screwdriver
Painter’s tape
Dropcloth or old newspaper
Latex primer
Paint tray
Paint roller
Paint stir stick
Paintbrushes, 3- to 4-inches wide
Latex paint in two colors
Latex glaze
Clean rags
Tips
A roller is handy for priming large surfaces, such as a wall. A paintbrush is suitable for priming a cabinet or small areas.
Some paints are promoted as paint and primer all in one. Using such a paint as your base color could eliminate the need for priming separately.
It’s best to leave the final paint coat brushing technique to one person for the sake of consistency.
Warnings
Old cabinets may need a good cleaning before priming or painting, especially if they have been in a kitchen or other area where splatters of grease and other substances may occur. Paint and primer won’t stick well to greasy surfaces.
Always paint the final coat in small, workable areas to avoid paint drying before it can be rag rubbed.
