Crafts

Did you know you can use chalk paint on metal surfaces? It’s true! Not only is chalk paint easy to use on anything made of metal, but it’s a fun way to bring new life to patio furniture, plant stands, shelves, and office furniture.

Let’s explore some tips and ideas for painting metal objects with chalk paint.

Does Chalk Paint Work On Metal?

Yes. Chalk paint works beautifully on metal. In fact, there aren’t many surfaces where chalk paint won’t work. It takes a little bit of prep of course, but not nearly as much as painting wood furniture with chalk paint. It’s key to make sure you use the best quality chalk paint to avoid chipping.

What are some of the metal objects that look great painted with chalk paint? Here’s a short list:

• You can use chalk paint to transform metal plant stands to bring some color to a garden or patio.
  

 

• Plain metal shelving is usually inexpensive, but not particularly attractive. Paint it with a bright chalk paint shade to transform it into something eye-catching!

 

• Search yard sales and thrift stores for old metal office furniture. Once upon a time, metal desks and file cabinets were the norm in many offices. Now they’re showing up in thrift stores for reasonable prices. The problem with these nondescript pieces of furniture is that they’re usually found in shades of dull gray or “putty” (should that truly be considered a color?).  Chalk paint in fun colors can make boring metal furniture seem like something modern and trendy! 
• Upcycle metal cans and containers! You can use chalk paint to decorate clean, empty cans and containers. Painting cans in fun colors is an easy project, and the painted cans are great for organizing craft supplies, pens, or kitchen utensils. This is the perfect project to use up smaller amounts of “leftover” chalk paint from big projects. Painting empty cans is also fun for kids to help with! 
• Add a pop of color to your home decor by chalk-painting metal accents such as curtain rods, cabinet handles, and drawer pulls. 
• Last but certainly not least, chalk paint is great for painting metal outdoor furniture. Patio tables and chairs can look brand new with a couple coats of chalk paint, and maybe some updated cushions. 

How Do You Prepare Metal For Chalk Paint?

Preparing metal objects to be painted with chalk paint is very easy. In fact, it takes less prep work than chalk painting wood furniture. First and foremost you want to make sure whatever you’re going to paint is clean. This should be simple to do with just some soap and water.

The next thing you want to do is look over the piece you are about to paint for chipping paint or rust. If there are significant areas where old paint is chipping, you should go ahead and chip/scrape off as much as you can.

It should come off easily enough using a putty knife, coarse sandpaper, or a bit of steel wool.  If there is rust, you should remove any loose pieces the same way.

You can paint right over any chalk paint, or any rust spots, or apply a clear sealant over them if you want to leave the rust showing. A little bit of rust can add character to whatever you’re painting, especially if you are a fan of the distressed aesthetic.

Metal is non-porous, so the paint will sit right on top of it instead of being absorbed into the piece. You don’t have to apply a primer coat, but the first coat of paint should be applied very thinly.

This will act as a base coat. It will look streaky and maybe a little uneven, but it will be okay. By the second or third coat of chalk paint, it will have that beautifully smooth appearance that chalk style paints are known for.

Can I Use Chalk Paint On Metal Outdoor Furniture?

Yes. You can use chalk paint on metal outdoor furniture. Chalk paint is a fabulous way to give new life to metal outdoor furniture!

It’s fairly easy to do, and the results are so satisfying. Here is a quick rundown of the steps for chalk painting outdoor metal furniture:

• First, you want to remove any furniture cushions and tape off anything that you don’t want to paint (glass or tile tabletop, for example).  If you’re completely changing the color scheme of your outdoor space, getting new cushions to match your new paint job will make it seem like you have brand new furniture. 
• It’s cleaning time! Use soapy water to clean the furniture, then wipe it dry with a lint-free cloth. Remove any big pieces of chipping paint and loose rust. If you want any of the rust to show, now is the time to cover it with a clear coat. It’s not necessary to clear coat the entire piece of furniture; you can just apply enough to cover the rusty areas.
  
  You can use a chalk paint brush-on polycrylic sealant, or a spray clear coat over any rusty spots. Whatever clear coat sealant you choose, look for one with a matte finish. A smooth matte finish will blend in the best with the chalk paint. Allow the clear coat to completely dry before you begin painting.
  
  Of course, if you don’t want any of the rust to show, you can simply clean away any loose rusty bits and then paint your chalk paint right over the top of it. 
• It’s time to start painting! You can either apply the chalk paint with a brush or spray it on. The key thing to keep in mind is that multiple thin coats of paint are going to give you the best results. Apply the first coat of chalk paint thinly, and keep in mind that this is the base coat. It’s going to look uneven and streaky and to be honest, not that great. It’s okay, though! This first coat of paint is just the base for the next layers of paint to “grab” onto. Each subsequent coat of chalk paint will look better than the one before it!
  
  Be sure to let each layer of paint fully dry before applying the next coat. Since you’re applying nice thin coats of paint, you will probably want three or maybe even four layers before you’re finished. 
• If you want, the next (optional) step is to add “distressed” areas to your metal furniture. It should be just as easy as distressing wood furniture. It’s as simple as taking some medium sandpaper and gently sanding areas where you want the metal to show through. This looks especially nice on areas with texture or along edges. 
• The last step (if you’re not applying a sealant coat)  is to peel off any painter’s tape, replace any furniture cushions, and begin enjoying your gorgeous “new” outdoor furniture.

Do You Have To Seal Chalk Paint On Metal?

No, you don’t have to seal chalk paint on metal. It turns out much better if you do seal it though.

There is a lot of disagreement over whether or not you really need to seal chalk paint on metal; especially when it pertains to metal outdoor furniture. A good number of websites will state that sealing isn’t necessary.

My thoughts on this are that it is better to seal the chalk paint than to not do so. Keep in mind that chalk paint is water soluble.

If your painted metal furniture will be outdoors where it will be directly exposed to the elements (especially rain and humidity), eventually that exposure will start to wear at your paint job.

This is especially true if you’ve distressed any areas of your furniture. Visible wear and tear won’t happen quickly, but you might find yourself wanting to touch up the paint after just a year or so.

Both Krylon and Rust-Oleum produce spray-on clear coats with a smooth matte finish. They’re perfect for protecting chalk-painted furniture. Spray the sealant in one or two light coats after the chalk paint is completely dry. Allow the clear coats to completely dry before spraying the next layer, of course.

Does Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Work On Metal?

Annie Sloan chalk paint is the original chalk paint, and it works wonderfully on metal surfaces! It applies easily, and can either be brushed on or used in a paint sprayer. Annie Sloan’s color selections work perfectly with most decorating schemes, too.

There is a video tutorial on Annie Sloan’s website that shows how to paint a metal room radiator with chalk paint. What a great idea!

Can I Use Rust-oleum Chalk Paint On Metal?

Rust-Oleum brand “Chalked” paint is a great choice for painting metal, especially outdoor metal furniture. It is available in either cans of paint that can be applied with a brush, or an easy-to-use spray paint.

There are several color choices available with either type of these paints, and they will both dry to a beautiful chalky matte finish.

Rust-Oleum is a trusted brand that is known for being durable as well as attractive.

Can I Use Krylon Chalk Paint On Metal?

Krylon is another brand of paint known for durability and quality. Their Chalky Finish spray paint is another outstanding option for painting metal furniture. It’s made to stand up to the elements and is available in a wide variety of eye-catching colors.

Some online reviewers have noted that this paint dries to more of a satin finish than a true chalky matte finish. The sheen of a satin finish is very subtle, so anything you paint with this paint will still have a smooth, non-glossy appearance.

I hope this has inspired you to try chalk paint on metal furniture or other objects around your home. It’s a fun and easy way to bring some unique style into your home! 

If you painted something with chalk paint and have decided it didn’t look as great as you hoped it would, or if you’re just in the mood to make some home decor changes, it’s not too difficult to remove the old chalk paint.

In most situations, you can remove chalk paint by scraping it or sanding it off. Sometimes you may need to use some chemicals, and there are a few things to consider. Make sure you read this full article so you don’t make any mistakes.

How Do You Strip Chalk Paint Off Furniture?

There are a couple of ways you can strip chalk paint off furniture. If you’ve used good quality chalk paint this will actually be a little easier. The first method, one that will work the quickest, is to use a chemical paint stripper to break down the paint so you can just scrap it off.

This works well on broad, mostly flat surfaces. It saves some labor, even if you have to do a couple of applications.

If your furniture has any kind of upholstery on it, I would not recommend using a paint stripper. If even a small amount of the paint stripping product gets on the fabric, it will change the color permanently.

If you’re working on a piece of furniture with a lot of intricate carving or small spaces, you probably want to use the most common method of paint removal: solvent and sanding.

This is a pretty easy method, but it does take a lot of “elbow grease”.

You’ll need some old t-shirts or soft cloths, a solvent such as mineral spirits or turpentine, and sandpaper. Here are the basic steps to remove chalk paint with this method:

 

• Put a drop cloth or tarp down around your work area. You might want to wear disposable gloves if your skin is sensitive to solvents. Be sure to work in a well-ventilated area.

 

• Remove or use painter’s tape to cover any hardware on the furniture.

 

• Pour a little bit of whatever solvent you’re using onto a cloth or a sponge, and begin rubbing it into the area where you want to remove paint. If there is a polycrylic or chalk paint wax topcoat, it’s going to take quite a bit of “scrubbing” at first. You might have to go over the same area more than once. Once the topcoat is removed, the chalk paint underneath should wipe off easily.

 

• Once you’ve removed the paint with the solvent, you can use sandpaper to lightly sand to make sure there are no tiny bits of paint or primer left anywhere.

What to Remove Chalk Paint – The Fastest Way

The fastest way to remove old chalk paint from wood or furniture is to use a paint stripper (also known as simply paint remover).

Paint stripper is a chemical-based product that softens all types of paint, primer, varnish, and sealant. It’s especially useful if you’re trying to remove several layers of paint down to the original surface.

There are many brands of paint strippers available, and you should read the directions carefully for the brand you decide to purchase.

However, here are some basic steps that will apply to most paint-stripping products:

 

• Before you begin, lay down a cloth or plastic under and around your work area. You don’t want to get paint remover any place except where you want to remove paint! It will alter the appearance of tile, metal, countertops, as well as wood. Remove any hardware from the piece you’re working on.

 

• Be sure to wear gloves and eye protection. Even though there are several brands of paint stripper with little to no odor, it’s still a good idea to work in a well-ventilated space.

 

• Use disposable brushes. The cheap foam brushes are great for this, or pick up some cheap brushes at a discount store.

 

• Most paint removers are really thick, with an almost gel-like consistency. You’ll want to brush it in an even layer over the area you want to remove paint. At this point, covering with a layer of plastic wrap can be helpful. The plastic wrap will help keep the gooey paint remover moist. If you let it dry out, it will be difficult to remove.

 

• Check the directions for the brand of paint remover you’re using. Most brands suggest leaving the paint remover to sit for anywhere from one to 24 hours. Check it periodically to make sure it doesn’t dry out. You might notice the paint will start to “bubble” a little bit.

 

• After it’s sat for a while, it’s time to strip! Using a putty knife, you should be able to simply scrape away all the old chalk paint and sealant. If there are several layers of paint, you might need to repeat the process, though. You can use a disposable kitchen scrubber, sandpaper, or a bit of steel wool to remove paint from intricately carved areas.

How Do You Remove Chalk Paint Without Damaging Wood?

Whether you use a solvent or chemical paint stripper to remove chalk paint, you want to be careful that you don’t scratch or gouge the wood.

This is especially true if you plan to simply stain the wood once all the chalk paint has been removed, instead of painting over it again.

When sanding or peeling off paint with a putty knife, you want to be sure to do so in the same direction as the wood grain. This will minimize the chance that any scratches or scuffs in the wood will be visible.

If you’re using a putty knife with a metal blade to scrape old chalk paint off, be gentle with it. Don’t angle it too much or it will gouge into the wood.

There are heavy plastic putty knives available that are less likely to damage the wood underneath the paint.

Does Chalk Paint Come Off With Water?

Yes, chalk paint comes off with water because it’s water-soluble. This means that unless there is a sealant topcoat on your painted object, you should be able to “wash” the paint off with water and maybe a little bit of soap!

If you have a power washer or a hose with a strong sprayer, you might be able to use that to remove chalk paint from larger painted objects.

After getting your chalk-painted piece very wet, use a kitchen sponge or scrub brush to remove the old chalk paint.

However, if there is a top coat of any kind, you’ll need to use either solvent or paint remover to take off the paint.

Also, the longer something has been painted with chalk paint, the less likely it is to wash off easily. Something that was painted several years ago will take more work to wash the paint away with soap and water.

Does Chalk Paint Wash Off Easily?

How easily chalk paint can be washed off with water depends mostly on one thing: whether or not it has a top coat.

If you have something painted with chalk paint with no sealant, washing it with water is a fairly easy way to remove the paint.

If the paint isn’t completely washing away, a very small amount of dishwashing liquid will help.

Does Vinegar Remove Chalk Paint?

You’ve probably seen websites that recommend white vinegar as a non-toxic paint solvent. Believe it or not, it works quite well! I actually recommend removing chalk paint with vinegar.

Vinegar is acidic, so it will soften the chalk paint in a similar way that a commercial solvent will. It’s not as efficient as commercial solvents or paint removers, but it’s an inexpensive and environmentally friendly way to remove chalk paint.

Using vinegar to remove chalk paint might take longer than using a commercial solvent or paint remover.

It can also discolor some surfaces, so do a small “test spot” in an inconspicuous place before spraying the entire painted piece with the vinegar solution.

If you’re going to use vinegar, be sure to work in a well-ventilated space. Vinegar has a very strong odor and can irritate your eyes.

To use vinegar to remove chalk paint, you should mix equal parts vinegar and water together in a spray bottle.

White vinegar works best because it has the highest acidity, but cider vinegar works well, also. Spray this mixture all over the paint you want to remove, and then let it sit for at least 15 to 20 minutes.

At this point, you should be able to scrape the paint away with a putty knife, or a stiff scrub brush. If there are any stubborn spots, you can spray it again, or you can increase the amount of vinegar in the solution.

After you’ve removed the paint, wash the surface with soap and water to remove any residue and get rid of the vinegar odor. If there’s still a little bit of odor after you’ve cleaned the surface it should go away in a day or two.

Removing Chalk Paint From Glass

Removing chalk paint from glass surfaces is easy, especially if the paint doesn’t have a sealant coat on top of it.

Glass is extremely smooth and non-porous, so the paint just sits on top of the surface instead of curing into it. This makes it really easy to remove.

If you painted the frame of a mirror or window with chalk paint and need to remove some small splatters from the glass, it’s very easy to do.

All you need is a razor blade or craft knife. Working very carefully, just scrape the paint splatter away with the blade. It should remove very easily.

If you have a glass object like a vase or mason jar that you want to remove all of the chalk paint from, it’s not hard to do but will take a little more work.

You’ll need a bucket of warm soapy water, paper towels, a kitchen scrubber or steel wool, and a soft cloth.

Lay down some paper towels to soak up any excess water. Then dip the cloth in the soapy water and wipe down the glass object.

While the glass is wet, use your scrubber or steel wool to carefully scrape away the chalk paint. You want to keep the area wet to help prevent the glass from getting scratches on it and to make the chalk paint easier to scrape away.

If you have a glass object that has a sealant coat on top of the chalk paint, you can try sanding the top coat off, or rub it with a solvent like mineral spirits.

Once the top coat has been removed, you can use the above method (warm soapy water & a scrubber) to remove the chalk paint.

Removing Chalk Paint From Fabric

If you spilled chalk paint on your clothes, or on upholstered furniture, don’t panic! If you clean it up as soon as possible, it can look as good as new.

You’ll need some rubbing alcohol, a hand towel or rag, and some laundry stain remover.

There are a lot of good laundry stain removers available in easy-to-use spray bottles or even “pens” for small stains. Whether you’re trying to clean paint from clothing or upholstery, the process is basically the same.

Pour some of the rubbing alcohol on the hand towel or rag and blot the paint stain.

Don’t wipe or rub; you only want to blot! Wiping or rubbing the paint will rub it into the fibers of the fabric. Keep applying more alcohol and blotting until the paint is gone.

If you can’t get all of the paint removed by blotting with alcohol, use the laundry stain remover according to the directions.

Usually, you simply apply it and let it sit for at least 15 to 20 minutes, then wash the fabric. If you’re removing paint from a piece of clothing, wash it in hot water, but do not put it in the dryer.

Any heat from the dryer will cause a stain to permanently set in the fabric. If you’re removing paint from upholstery, wash it with hot soapy water and a clean towel once the stain remover has had time to work. You can repeat these steps until all the paint is gone.

The best paint for bathroom cabinets is a toss-up between latex and hybrid alkyd enamel paint. I decided to go with a hybrid alkyd enamel.

There are a number of reasons I painted my bathroom cabinets with this type of paint and part of it was personal preference. Read the rest of this blog to see which one is right for you.

What Types of Paint Can You Use for Bathroom Cabinets?

Choosing the right type of paint for your bathroom cabinets is crucial to having a professional-looking paint job that will last for a long time.

There are several options, and some are definitely better choices than others. 

When painting anything in the bathroom, it’s important to consider that your painted surface will be exposed to damp warm air, as well as chemicals such as fragrances, hair spray, deodorant, and cleaning supplies to name a few.

Choosing a Durable Paint for Bathroom Cabinets

Latex and hybrid alkyd paints are great for this environment. If you want to use something like chalk paint or milk paint, you’ll need to carefully apply a couple of coats of a good water-resistant sealer. Otherwise, your paint job will start to deteriorate fairly quickly.

Another thing to consider when you’re planning your bathroom painting project is that this will likely take you a few days.

It’s not several days of constant hard work, but the primer (if using) and paint will need time to dry between coats. Some paints, such as oil-based paints, take considerably longer to dry than other types of paint.

If you’re applying a sealant after the paint, you’ll need to allow another day or two for that to dry, also.

If you have a second bathroom, you might want to use it exclusively while you’re working on this project. Otherwise, just be super careful around the wet paint, and realize that it might take the paint a little longer to dry if the bathroom is getting steamy from hot showers. 

Oil-Based Paints

Oil-based paints are durable, and stain resistant, and the colors last a long time without fading or yellowing.

However, there are some drawbacks to oil-based paints.

They take a really long time to dry, and because of their high VOC (volatile organic compounds) content, they have an odor.

Unfortunately with oil-based paints, that “new paint smell” can last for several days, up to a week. You absolutely need to be outside or in a very well-ventilated area when painting with oil-based paints.

If you’re working in a small space (and most bathrooms are going to be fairly small), there are better paint choices that will give you excellent results.

Latex Paints

Latex is the most common type of paint you’ll find in home improvement stores for any interior painting project. The colors and finish are comparable to oil-based paints.

The biggest difference between latex and oil-based paints is that latex paint has a much faster drying time, and while it still has some odor it’s not nearly as strong as the smell of oil-based paints.

Latex paints are a budget-friendly option as well.

Because most major paint manufacturers sell latex paints, you’ll find the most color choices at affordable prices.

Hybrid Alkyd Enamel Paint

Hybrid alkyd enamel paints combine the best features of oil-based and latex paints together. Hybrid alkyd paints are water-based like latex paint but contain alkyd resin pigments like oil-based paint. With this type of paint, you get beautiful colors and an appearance similar to oil paint, with a low VOC content and durability like latex paint.

Hybrid Alkyd paints are virtually odorless and clean up easily with soap and water. As this type of paint is becoming more prevalent, you’ll have no trouble finding it in a variety of finishes, and in nearly as many colors as latex paints.

They are another budget-friendly option, with pricing similar to most brands of latex paints.

Chalk Paint

We all love chalk paint, right? It’s so trendy right now, and there are so many beautiful colors available. It’s being used by professional interior designers and DIY enthusiasts to create lovely and unique looks for any home.

However, chalk paint probably isn’t the best choice to use on bathroom cabinets. The biggest reason for this is that chalk paint is prone to chipping.

Even with a good sealant or chalk paint wax, chalk paint’s durability might not stand up to the amount of moisture that it will be exposed to in a bathroom. Chalk paint, even with sealant, won’t stand up to the amount of cleaning that a bathroom needs, also.

Milk Paint

Milk paint is another type of paint that is becoming increasingly popular in home design.

With milk paint, you can achieve will a velvety matte finish similar to chalk paint, but milk paint is a more durable choice than chalk paint for cabinets.

It will still need a good sealant, preferably two or more coats. Milk paint actually becomes stronger over time, but for even more durability you can mix in a bonding agent for a super-tough finish.

Even with a bonding agent and sealant, milk paint can be prone to scratching and scuffing on areas that are touched or moved often. It’s not the worst choice for your bathroom cabinets, but you’ll still have to be careful with it. For bathroom painting, milk paint is better than chalk paint.

Milk paint is sold in powder form, so you can mix it with water to get just the quantity you need.

The powdered form has a long shelf life, so you won’t have to worry about disposing of leftover paint. You can keep the powdered paint in an airtight container and it will be handy if you have to do any touch-ups after a while.

Best Finish For Bathroom Cabinets

The finish of your paint choice is an important consideration for any room project. You want to have at least a little bit of a glossy sheen to your paint finish.

A surface with some shine to it will be easier to clean, and it will stay looking new for a longer period of time.

I prefer a semi-gloss finish for the bathroom, although a satin finish looks great if you want your cabinets to look a bit more matte in appearance.

Glossy or high gloss finishes are a good choice, but I just like the look of semi-gloss more. That’s strictly my personal preference, so if you love a glossy shine, go for it!

I wouldn’t recommend creating a distressed or “chippy” look on your bathroom cabinets. Although this look is wonderful on some pieces of furniture when you do this on a surface that is touched or moved a lot you’re taking a risk of having more paint flake off.

You can mitigate this with a good top coat, but after a while, even a top coat can start to wear. A durable paint that has a finish formulated for daily use is your best bet. 

Should You Use Primer for Bathroom Cabinets?

Whether you should use a primer on your bathroom cabinets depends on what type of paint you will be using. Personally, I almost always prime before applying paint.

I think the end result looks more professional, and the paint job stays looking great for a long time. Yes, I have even been known to use a primer if the paint is “paint and primer in one”. 

If you’re going to paint your bathroom cabinets with chalk paint (not recommended) or milk paint, you will definitely need to apply a primer first.

Oil-based paints work best with a primer coat also. With latex and hybrid alkyd paints, you can get away with not priming for most brands, but I’m still a fan of applying a primer coat first for the best results.

Should You Use Sealant for Bathroom Cabinets?

Depending on what type of paint you use, a separate coat of sealant may not be necessary.  Latex and hybrid alkyd paints are durable and provide a good moisture and stain-resistant finish; you don’t need to use a sealant with these paints.

Milk paint and chalk paint should absolutely be sealed. I wouldn’t recommend a wax finish for anything in the bathroom, especially if you enjoy very hot showers!

The heat from your shower or even from frequently using a hot hairdryer will eventually soften the wax and deteriorate the finish. Before you know it, the moist heat and humidity will break down your wax sealant and you’ll need to reapply it.

 A polycrylic sealant over chalk paint or milk paint is, in my opinion, the best choice. Use at least two coats, and make sure every surface of your painted cabinet is fully sealed. Read the label on the polycrylic paint you buy to make sure it is water-resistant.

Polyurethane sealants have a much stronger resistance to water, but there are some downsides to using them. They do have a strong odor, and over time they tend to “yellow”.

The yellow cast will show more if you apply polyurethane over neutrals or light colors.

How to Choose the Color

Choosing the paint color is one of the most fun parts of planning a painting project. There really aren’t any hard and fast rules to picking out colors. Choose colors that make you happy! 

However, I do have some tips to help you find the perfect color for your bathroom cabinets.

White, off-white, and very light neutral shades are popular choices for bathrooms. They make smaller rooms seem more open and clean, and they can be accented with any color.

If you’re not a fan of whites or neutrals, pastel or muted colors also look great in bathrooms. These lighter shades aren’t overwhelming in a smaller room, and it’s fun to find darker colors to complement them,

Many homes have very small bathrooms, and darker or jewel-toned colors can make a small room seem even smaller.

If you want to paint your bathroom cabinets in a darker color, it will probably look best if the rest of your bathroom is painted with neutrals or very light colors.

With any paint project, I think it’s important not to make a color choice too quickly. Get paint sample cards from your local home improvement store.

Another tip is to buy a small container of one or two paint colors you like, and paint a couple of pieces of cardboard with them.

Tape the painted cardboard to the front of your bathroom cabinets and leave them there for a day or two. Colors can look slightly different in the light from your bathroom than they might have looked in the home improvement store. 

Supplies You Need for Painting Your Cabinets

It’s a good idea to gather all your supplies in one place before starting any major painting project. You won’t need any specialized equipment to paint your bathroom cabinets, but here’s a basic list of supplies you’ll probably use:

• Painters tape (masking tape) and drop cloths. You’ll need these to protect your walls, sink, floors, and countertops.
• Brushes and rollers. You should probably have brushes in a couple of different sizes, with at least one smaller width brush to easily paint the edges of your cabinets.

• Sandpaper and wood putty.  You won’t need a lot of sandpaper, and you don’t need very heavy grit. A light to medium sandpaper should be sufficient to scuff up your cabinets. The wood putty is to fill any holes and cracks. It’s also a good idea to smooth a very thin layer of wood putty over wood cabinets with a deep grain (such as oak) if you want a perfectly smooth look when completed.
  

• Cleaning supplies. You should have a roll of paper towels, some rags, and a bucket of soapy water nearby to clean up any drips or spills. If you’re using paint that is not water-soluble, such as oil-based paints, you’ll need to have a solvent such as turpentine or mineral spirits on hand for cleaning.
  

• Paint and Primer. Have all the primer and paint ready to go as soon as you begin the project. You don’t want to get partway through the project and have to stop to buy more paint, so be sure you have enough to finish painting all your cabinets.

Should You Use a Roller or a Brush for Bathroom Cabinets?

My personal opinion is that both brushes and rollers do a great job on your bathroom cabinets. In fact, I think it’s necessary to have both on hand to make the painting job as easy as possible.

For broad, flat surfaces (such as cabinet doors), using a paint roller will make the job so much easier. Use a high-density foam roller, four to six inches wide, for the best results.

The foam rollers will apply the paint as smoothly as if you’d sprayed it on. The “flocked” paint rollers will work fine, but it might take you a little extra work to get the paint to look perfectly smooth.

Get one or two brushes, in a medium and narrow width. Brushes are perfect for “cutting in” the paint where the cabinet is attached to the wall and floor, and for small areas such as edges and textured details. 

How to Paint Your Bathroom Cabinets – A Brief Overview

Painting your bathroom cabinets can seem like a big job, but it can be easily broken down into several easy steps. Here are the basics:

• First, take some “before” pics of your project! I forget to do this so often and find myself wishing I had “before” pics for comparison.
• Clean the bathroom. Even if you think it’s clean, go ahead and clean it again. You don’t want any hair or dust getting painted into your project. Remove anything in and around the cabinet. Put down drop cloths.
• Remove the doors from your cabinets, and remove the hardware. If you don’t want to remove the hardware, cover them with painter’s tape to keep them clean.
• Apply painter’s tape where the cabinets meet the walls, bathroom mirror cabinets, and on the edges of any countertops.

• Lightly sand your cabinets. You don’t have to remove all the finish, but rough it up enough to help the primer and paint stick better.
• Clean again! Wipe down the sanded cabinets with a damp cloth to get rid of any dust.
• Fill in any holes or scratches with wood putty.
• It’s time to prime! Apply one or two coats of primer (allowing drying time between coats)
• Finally, you’re ready to paint! Two to three coats is best, and be sure to allow enough time for the paint to fully dry between coats.
• Once your paint is fully dry, you can apply a sealant if you’re using one.
• Now all you have to do is clean up, and put your bathroom back together!

Take those “after” pics now, and post them on your social media with your “before” pics! Be proud of the great job you’ve done and let your friends see your beautiful new bathroom.

Wrapping This Up

There’s a lot to consider when deciding which paint to use. Choosing the right one for you and your needs is important because it won’t change for years to come. If this was helpful you may also want to check out my post about the best paint for furniture. If you’re like me you go on a painting spree every few years! Thanks for reading and best of luck with your projects.