Rust-Oleum Cabinet Transformations

[Tussiemussies]

Was looking around for something relatively affordable to do to our kitchen cabinets in our new house since they look worn. Had seen some refinishing options at Home Depot but then saw this very cheap way to paint them, without streak marks, with a very usable paint and it got mostly good reviews although they all said it is a lot of hard work. They also mentioned for the light colors the sealer turns them yellow, but you can always buy another brand of sealer! The kit cost just a little over one hundred dollars. Not sure how many cabinets that will paint, but from the reviews no one complained about that.

They also have kits to refinish countertops and tiles.

We are most likely going to try this. :)

[SteveinMN]

Good luck, TM! We had looked at that product for our mid-70s dark cabinets. We were a little concerned about how well it would cover such a dark stain (we wanted a really light finish at the end), but I'm guessing it would do it based on our Web research. The key, however, is preparation and more preparation. Kitchen cabinets get incredibly dirty over time from cooking and steam and hands closing the cabinets, and stripping that mess fully takes some time. It's worth it to spend the tedious time up front rather than rush through it and have to redo it in a few years.

We eventually chose to have the cabinets refaced. It was many many times the price of the Rustoleum, but it was back when we were both working. And it did utterly transform the kitchen in a way that a paint-on stain never could. We're good for another 40 years now. :)

[Tussiemussies]

Hi Steve, thanks for your input. We do have to replace these cabinets eventually but that will be quite a bit down the road so we really need a fix now.

That is great that you were able to reface your cabinets. :) christine

[catherine]

Good luck, TM! We had looked at that product for our mid-70s dark cabinets.

Steve, I think we have the exact same cabinets. When we moved into our house, they were very dark brown, and covered with many coats of some kind of finish, probably polyurethane. We did decide to pain them.

The first time was truly a DRAG! To your point, it took many coats to cover the dark. We did rough up the finish but man, we painted one coat, then another, then my husband decided to try spray painting (at that time, I remember I escaped to see Thich Nhat Hahn in person in Long Island.. I felt really guilty in one way and really good in another.).

We have repainted them again to change the color since then, and it's a livable alternative, and much cheaper than replacing them. I wish we knew of the Rustoleum product. I might check it out anyway.

[Gardenarian]

Just a hint: Number all your cabinets and doors with a marker before removing the doors for painting. It makes rehanging them SO much easier!

[Tussiemussies]

Thanks everone for your input. We decided to clean the cabinets with TSP, sand them down, use Kilz primer and we found out that Benjamine Moore sells a latex enamel paint made just for cabinets. I am not sure if we need a sealer but one that will not yellow over time. So we are not going to use the Rustolium. DH is doing the job and will start this weekend.

Thanks Garderian for the tip!

I am so glad these are getting painted right away!

:) Christine