Spraying Acrylic Urethane Cabinet Paint: The Ultimate Guide (2024)

Spraying acrylic urethane cabinet paint is a great way to achieve a professional, smooth finish. It is a relatively inexpensive way to give your kitchen a completely new look. Before spraying, it is important to prepare the surface by sanding, filling, and caulking. This will ensure that the paint adheres properly and that the final finish is smooth. It is also crucial to choose the right paint for the job. Acrylic urethane is a great option as it sticks well to most surfaces and cures to a hard and durable finish. When spraying, it is important to thin the paint according to the instructions and apply several thin coats rather than one thick coat. Additionally, it is important to use a high-quality sprayer and practice on a piece of cardboard before starting on the cabinets. Overall, spraying acrylic urethane cabinet paint is a great option for those looking to achieve a professional finish on a budget.

Prepare the area: cover surfaces and tape off the cabinets

To prepare the area for spraying acrylic urethane cabinet paint, you'll need to cover surfaces and tape off the cabinets to protect them from paint spray. Here are the steps to follow:

• Cover the countertops: Use rosin or brown builder's paper to cover and protect your countertops. If you're painting upper cabinets, also cover the range hood.
• Tape off adjacent areas: Use masking tape to tape off the walls, ceiling, flooring, and any other areas adjacent to the cabinets. This will prevent them from being sprayed with paint.
• Protect appliances: Wrap appliances, including the vent hood, with plastic sheeting or masking paper to prevent paint from getting on them.
• Remove hardware: If there is any hardware attached to the cabinets, such as handles or knobs, remove them. This will make it easier to spray the cabinets and ensure a neat finish.
• Label the cabinets: Before removing the cabinet doors, label each one, especially if you have multiple doors of the same size. Mark the name of the cabinet and the position of the hinges. This will ensure that the doors are reinstalled in the correct places.
• Protect the inside of the cabinets: If you're only painting the face frames and doors, there's no need to prep the inside of the cabinets. Otherwise, use plastic sheeting or paper to protect the interior.
• Set up a work area: Move the cabinet doors and drawers to a well-ventilated work area, such as a garage or outdoor space. Protect the surrounding area from paint spray by laying down drop cloths or plastic sheeting.
• Tape off cabinet openings: If you're not spraying the inside of the cabinets, use tape to cover the cabinet openings to protect them from paint spray.

Clean the cabinets

To achieve a smooth and professional finish when spray-painting your cabinets with acrylic urethane, it is essential to thoroughly clean them before beginning. Here is a detailed guide on how to effectively clean your cabinets:

Remove Hardware and Number the Parts:

Before cleaning, it is recommended to remove the cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware, such as handles and hinges. Number each part with a marker or tape, ensuring that you mark the location of each piece to make reassembly easier.

Initial Cleaning:

Start by spraying the cabinets with a degreaser or a grease-cutting solution. Dishwashing liquid can work, but for a more powerful option, consider using trisodium phosphate (TSP) or a product like Krud Kutter, which is specifically designed for degreasing. Follow the instructions on the product, allowing it to sit for a few minutes to break down the grease effectively. Then, use a soft cloth or paper towel to wipe down all surfaces, removing the degreaser and any grease, grime, or dirt. Pay close attention to the tops of the cabinets, as they may be covered in dust and grime.

Rinse and Dry:

After degreasing, rinse the cabinets with clear water. Use a clean rag or cloth to wipe down the surfaces, ensuring that no residue or water droplets are left behind. Allow the cabinets to air dry or use a dry cloth to speed up the process.

Sanding:

Once the cabinets are clean and dry, it is essential to lightly sand the surfaces. Sanding creates a slightly rough texture, which helps the paint adhere better. Use a fine-grit sanding sponge or sandpaper (around 220-grit) and work in the direction of the wood grain. Be careful not to over-sand, as you don't need to sand down to the bare wood. Focus on giving the surfaces a light scuff to create a good base for the paint to grip. After sanding, use a vacuum and a tack cloth to remove all the dust, ensuring a smooth and clean surface.

Filling and Caulking:

Examine your cabinets for any scratches, dents, or holes. Use a wood filler or spackling compound to fill in these imperfections and create a smooth surface. After the filler has dried, sand the filled areas lightly and vacuum away the dust. Additionally, use latex caulk to fill in any open seams, creating a seamless finish.

Final Wipe-Down:

Just before you're ready to prime and paint your cabinets, give them a final wipe-down with a tack cloth. This will remove any remaining dust particles and ensure that the surfaces are ready for the application of primer and paint.

Remember, cleaning your cabinets is a crucial step in achieving a high-quality finish. Take your time and be thorough, as it will pay off in the final result.

Sand the cabinets

Sanding your cabinets is an important step in achieving a smooth and professional finish. It is necessary to sand your cabinets, even if they have a factory finish, to give the new paint a good surface to grip. The process will vary depending on the current state of your cabinets.

If your cabinets have a factory finish, sand lightly with 120-grit sandpaper or a sanding sponge. If your cabinets are in good condition, with no major scratches or damage, this should be sufficient. However, if there are deeper scratches, scuffs, or other imperfections, you will need to use wood filler to repair these areas before sanding.

After filling any holes or imperfections, use a sanding block or orbital sander with 60-grit sandpaper to scuff up the surface of the cabinet. This process will open up the pores of the wood, allowing the primer to sink in and create better adhesion for the paint. Sand in the direction of the wood grain, and be careful not to round over corners or edges. Once you have finished sanding, use a tack cloth to remove any residual dust.

If your cabinets have a rough surface from a previous paint job or poor varnishing job, you will need to start with coarser 100-grit sandpaper to remove bumps and imperfections. After removing the bumps, sand again with 120-grit sandpaper to get rid of any sanding marks and create a smooth surface.

Once you have completed the initial sanding process, it is important to vacuum or wipe down the cabinets to remove any dust or debris. You may also need to fill in the grain on cabinets with coarse wood, such as oak, if you desire a smooth finish. To do this, use a putty knife to skim-coat the door with a spackling compound, working it into the wood grain. Allow it to dry, then sand it with medium-grit sandpaper and prime it again.

After your cabinets are smooth and free of dust, you are ready to apply the primer. Remember, proper preparation, including sanding, will help you achieve the best results when spray painting your cabinets.

Prime the cabinets

To prime the cabinets, you must first clean and sand them. Clean the cabinets with a degreaser solution and wipe them down with a rag. For stubborn grease, use a stronger cleaner like trisodium phosphate (TSP). Once the cabinets are clean, rinse them with water and let them dry. Then, use an abrasive pad dipped in a liquid deglosser to scrub the cabinets. Wipe away the residue with a damp rag.

Next, fill in any old screw holes with a two-part polyester wood or autobody filler. Remove excess filler with a sharp paint scraper and sand it smooth. Lightly sand the surfaces of the cabinet, drawers, and doors with a foam sanding block. This will give the primer something to adhere to, so don't sand to the bare wood. Remove the sanding dust with a vacuum and a tack cloth.

Now, you are ready to prime the cabinets. If the cabinets are heavily stained, use a stain-blocking primer. In most cases, however, an oil-based or 100% acrylic latex primer will work fine. Use a brush for the edges and tight spots and a roller for the large, flat surfaces. Start at the top of the cabinet and brush on the primer across the grain. Then, pass the brush lightly over the wet finish in the direction of the grain. Make sure to follow the underlying structure of the cabinet with the brush. For example, when painting where a rail butts into a stile, paint the rail first, overlapping slightly onto the stile, then paint the stile before the overlap dries.

Let the primer dry, then wash your brush and roller sleeve. Sand the flat surfaces with 220-grit sandpaper and any profiled surfaces with a medium-grit sanding sponge. The wood should feel glass-smooth when you're done. Next, fill in any open seams with a thin bead of latex caulk. Smooth the caulk with a damp finger. Fill any small dents, scratches, or dings with vinyl spackle and smooth it flat with a putty knife. Once the spackle is dry, sand again with 220-grit paper, vacuum, and wipe with a tack cloth.

Finally, spot-prime the spackle and any spots where the sandpaper has "burned through" the primer with a spray can of fast-drying oil-based primer. Wait an hour, then lightly sand the primer with 280-grit paper. Vacuum the surfaces and wipe them with a tack cloth. Now, your cabinets are primed and ready for painting!

Paint the cabinets

Painting your cabinets is a great way to give your kitchen a new look without breaking the bank. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to spray acrylic urethane cabinet paint and achieve a professional finish:

Step 1: Prepare the Work Area

Before you start painting, it's important to protect your countertops, backsplash, and floor. Cover them with rosin or brown builder's paper to catch any paint splatters. Remove the cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and hardware to make the painting process easier and avoid getting paint on unwanted areas. Number each door and drawer, so you know where to reinstall them later.

Step 2: Clean and Sand the Cabinets

Grease and grime can prevent paint from adhering properly, so it's crucial to clean the cabinets thoroughly. Use a degreaser solution or a mild dishwashing liquid to wipe down all surfaces. Once they are clean, lightly sand the cabinets to give the paint a good surface to grip. If your cabinets have a factory finish, use 120-grit sandpaper or a sanding sponge. For rough surfaces, start with coarser 100-grit paper and then switch to 120-grit to remove any sanding marks. Vacuum the cabinets to remove any loose dust, and then use a tack cloth to pick up any remaining dust particles.

Step 3: Prime the Cabinets

Choose a fast-drying, stain-blocking primer to apply the first coat. If your cabinets are heavily stained, use an oil-based or 100% acrylic latex primer to seal knots and other surface defects. Use a paintbrush along the edges and tight spots, and a roller for the large, flat surfaces. Let the primer dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Step 4: Sand, Caulk, and Fill

After the primer is dry, lightly sand the flat surfaces with 220-grit sandpaper to smooth out any imperfections. For profiled surfaces, use a medium-grit sanding sponge until the wood feels glass-smooth. Fill in any open seams with a thin bead of latex caulk. Use vinyl spackle to fill in small dents, scratches, or dings, and smooth it out with a putty knife. Let the spackle dry, and then sand again with 220-grit paper. Vacuum and wipe the surfaces with a tack cloth to remove any remaining dust.

Step 5: Spray Paint the Cabinets

Now it's time to spray paint your cabinets! Set up a makeshift booth or work area to contain the airborne spray. Hang plastic sheeting around the work area and ensure proper ventilation by opening windows or using a fan. Wear a mask respirator to protect yourself from paint fumes. Thin the paint according to the manufacturer's instructions, and apply several thin coats rather than one thick coat. Hold the spray nozzle 10 to 12 inches away from the surface and maintain a consistent angle while spraying. Start spraying before you reach the cabinet and continue past the edge to avoid paint buildup. Let the paint dry overnight, and then apply a second coat if needed.

Step 6: Reassemble the Cabinets

Once the paint is completely dry, it's time to put your cabinets back together. Reattach the doors and drawer fronts, and screw them to the cabinet frames. Reinstall any hardware, such as hinges, knobs, and drawer pulls. If any paint has seeped into the hinge holes, scrape it out to ensure a snug fit. Stand back and admire your freshly painted cabinets!

Frequently asked questions