- 1). Mask any surface in the work area with painter's tape, drop cloths or newspapers. Apply tape around the cupboards at the walls to prevent getting paint or primer on the walls.
- 2). Unscrew cupboard hinges and remove the doors. Remove other hardware such as handles and door pulls and put them aside to reattach later. Now remove the hinges, handles, door pulls and any other hardware from the doors and put them in a safe place, or update the look of your kitchen by buying new hardware.
- 3). Scrub all surfaces to be refinished with a strong detergent and rinse thoroughly. Let dry completely. Put on the rubber gloves and mix TSP, a degreasing cleaner, according to label instructions. Wipe surfaces to be painted with TSP to remove any trace of grease. Let sit until everything is totally dry.
- 4). Rough the cupboards with 80 to 100 grit sandpaper and carefully remove the dust with tack cloth.
- 5). Brush or roll the primer onto the cupboards. Purchase a primer that is used specifically for melamine. Allow to dry.
- 6). Sand lightly with 240-grit or finer sandpaper. Wipe with tack cloth.
- 7). Brush or roll on paint according to the paint manufacturer's directions. Make sure that it is specifically made for covering melamine. Use long, even strokes to apply thin coats. Remember that three thin coats are much better than one or two thick coats. Allow recommended drying time between coats.
- 8). Reattach cupboard doors after they are completely dry. Drying time can take up to 15 hours or more, depending on factors such as paint type and humidity.
- 9). Scrub the old hardware with detergent and let dry. Alternatively, you can buy new hardware. Attach hardware to the doors and you are finished.
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