Painting cabinet doors is like giving your kitchen a little facelift. It can be expensive to buy pre-painted cabinet doors, and painting your existing cabinets yourself can be an easy alternative.
Whether you're a homeowner sprucing up your space, a house flipper looking to maximize profit, or a professional working in construction, this guide will walk you through the art of hanging cabinet doors for painting–a method that's efficient, economical, and maybe even a little fun.
Why Hang Cabinet Doors for Painting?
Hanging cabinet doors for painting yields a few benefits: getting an even coat of paint, saving time, and saving space. When hung vertically, paint can be applied more evenly, and any drips tend to self-correct.
For the Home Renovator
If you want to transform your space, a fresh coat of paint can make a world of difference. You often don’t even need to know how to strip kitchen cabinet doors to give them a new life. When you’re working in your own home, space is at a premium, and you likely won’t have the space to lay all your cabinets flat.
For the House Flipper
When you’re purchasing houses planning to renovate them for sale, the plan is always to buy low and sell high. Hanging cabinet doors for painting can greatly speed up the process and ensure the professional-looking finish required for enticing buyers.
For the Professional Builder
If you’re a professional builder, efficiency is key. You're looking to deliver quality while keeping costs down, and hanging cabinet doors for painting streamlines the process, allowing you to get a clean finish while working on multiple doors simultaneously–a win-win for your time and budget.
Hanging Doors Made Easy
No matter what the nature of your project is, here’s a helpful step-by-step guide to hanging cabinet doors like a professional:
Remove the Doors
Start by removing your cabinet doors. This might seem like a no-brainer, but remember to label them so you know exactly where each door goes.
Set Up Your Space
Choose an area that's well ventilated and free of dust. An outdoor space like a garage with the doors open is perfect, but a prepared living room can also work fine.
The Hanging Method
There are a few ways to hang your doors. If the investment makes sense for you, you can purchase a spray booth with hooks, but if you’re renovating your own kitchen, you don’t have to make it that complex. Simply screw hooks into the top edge of the doors and hang them from a sturdy rod or wire.
Prep the Doors
Clean the cabinet doors thoroughly. Any grease or dirt can ruin your paint job, so make sure you lightly sand all surfaces, and then wipe them down. Repeat this step at least once.
Prime Time
If your doors aren't pre-primed, you'll want to apply a coat of primer. This step is crucial for a smooth, lasting finish.
Paint Away
Use a spray gun for the most even coat on your cabinets. If you're using a brush, paint with the grain. Apply thin coats to avoid drips.
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Let It Dry
Patience is key. This is one of the benefits of the hanging method saving you space, because you must let the first coat dry completely before applying the second. Rushing can result in a less than stellar finish.
Reattach Doors
Once the doors are dry, carefully reattach them. This is when you’ll be thankful you labeled everything.
Moving Forward
Whether you're a DIY enthusiast, a savvy house flipper, or a seasoned pro, hanging cabinet doors for painting is a skill worth mastering. When done correctly, it can save you time, money, and give you the exact finish you dreamed of.
If you want to learn more about keeping your kitchen looking its best, check out our post on degreasing kitchen cabinets.
