Kitchen shelves usually are the last items you would think to paint--out of site, out of mind. Your shelves suffer constant wear and tear from glasses, cups, plates, bowls and cookware. The shelves eventually can become nicked, scratched or dented. You can make your kitchen shelves look like new again by painting and varnishing them. You can spruce up those drab shelves while creating a durable finish at the same time. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Preparation
1. Clean the kitchen shelves with a cloth and either cleaning solvent or four-parts warm water to one-part mild dish detergent.
2. Decide whether the shelves need sanding. The shelves should be even and smooth. Rub 120-grit sandpaper over the uneven sections until you obtain a smooth surface. Wipe down the shelves with a tack cloth to get rid of any dust.
3. Place dropcloths around the area you will be painting to protect the floors.
4. Place painter's tape on areas you want to protect from the paint. Use newspaper or cardboard under the painter's tape to protect large appliances.
Painting
5. Add primer before painting if the surface will not bond to the paint you will be using. Test a small area inside a shelf and let dry. See if the paint covers the surface evenly. If primer is needed, brush it on in one coat. Follow the primer instructions for drying time. Use a different brush for painting the shelves.
6. Paint the kitchen shelves, starting from the inside corners. Use paint rollers for flat surfaces. They cover a larger area and coat the surface evenly. Let the shelves dry.
7. Check the kitchen shelving after the base coat dries. Look for missing or uneven paint distribution. If you need to add a second coat of paint, make sure the first coat is completely dry before starting.
8. Provide a varnish to the kitchen shelving after the second coat of paint dries. The varnish will provide the shelving with durability, protecting them against water, scratches and stains. The varnish should be applied with a separate brush and at a warm room temperature.
Tags: coat paint, kitchen shelving, kitchen shelving after, painter tape, second coat, second coat paint, shelves with