Cabinet Paint Chips
Having uniform cabinets in your kitchen is important - any home decorator knows that an inconsistency in the color of your cabinets can upset the balance of the entire ensemble. This doesn't just mean that your cabinets should match, it means that they should be consistently colored a certain way, often a stained wood. But if all of your cabinets are painted white, it will be immediately noticeable if your paint has chipped in one spot. Don't worry; it's an easy fix.
If the chip is superficial, your only concern should really be finding the right color of paint to touch it up with. Many hardware and home improvement stores should feature touch-up paints. It would be very helpful if you knew the manufacturer and color of the paint itself so that you can simply apply more of the same and cover the paint chip. This will promote an overall consistency that you should be striving for.
There are other types of paint damage on your cabinets, however. For example, if one area of the paint has seen its color change (for example, because it stands over the area where you usually cook), then you'll have to do much more painting in order to restore a uniform color. The wider the discoloration, the more painting you can expect to do.
What confuses many people is the deeper chip - a chip that not only digs into the paint but the wood of the cabinet itself. For this job, you'll need a few more tools, such as sandpaper, wood filler, an evening trowel, primer, and the paint itself. First, clear out the area of the chip and clean it up - sometimes it even helps to wash it. You want as little debris as possible so that you can fill it completely.
Use the wood filler next - give yourself a little extra so that you can perfectly even it out using a trowel. Wait for the filler to dry, and then sand down the area - this will help the primer and paint stick and will also even everything out. Once you've sanded, make sure all of the degree is clear, and then apply the primer. Allow the primer to dry and then apply the properly colored paint to the area. Voila!
You might want to note that primer may not be necessary depending on the size of a chip. If you're still in doubt, be sure to ask your local hardware store.
Photo Credits: penny (peninah)
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Posted by Fix Handyman on August 19, 2009 in
Furniture, Handyman, How to Fix, paint
Three Reasons to Use Primer Before Starting a Paint Job
Any good painter will tell you that for a lot of surfaces and for a lot of different coats of paint, you're going to need to use a coat of primer before applying your paint. What exactly is primer, and why is it so popular? Here are three reasons you should consider making primer part of your standard painting practice.
Primer helps paint stick. One of primer's most basic functions is to help paint to adhere to the surface you're applying it to. Without primer, smoother surfaces can see paint drip down and lose its volume. Paint can unevenly adhere to different areas of rougher surfaces, making the paint job look unprofessional and sloppy.
A good coat of primer will cover a lot of the cracks and imperfections in a surface, helping to provide the foundation for a fresh, even coat of paint that actually sticks to the surface it's being applied to. Not only will paint stick better - ultimately looking better - but it will adhere to the surface for longer periods of time.
Primer helps even out a coat of paint. One of the most crucial aspects of a paint job is how evenly spread the paint is. Anyone who's painted a wall before knows that an uneven coat of paint will look downright unprofessional. You don't want to see clumps of heavier paint next to thinner, even transparent areas. That's why primer can be crucial for applying a coat of paint that evenly spreads throughout the surface.
You want your primer to do much of the work for the paint; let the paint simply look pretty. By setting your primer deeply and evenly into your material, you'll be able to lay on a healthy coat of paint that looks even and attractive.
You have to protect your surface and the paint, especially on wood. For wood surfaces, primer is considered mandatory practice - without it, paint's chemicals easily leak through and damage the wood. This also dries the paint, giving it less durability and a shorter shelf life.
Remember that wood doesn't always respond well to moisture over time - in fact, a poor paint job can contribute to problems like rotting and warping. The layer of primer applied ahead of the paint will protect both the wood and the paint.
Do you absolutely always want to use primer? It depends on the kind of surface you're using. Make sure that you do a little more studying on your paint surface before you begin a paint job to ensure that you'll be applying a healthy, consistent coat of paint that can last for a long time.
Photo Credits: danielle_blue
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Posted by Fix Handyman on July 27, 2009 in
Handyman, How to Fix
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