How to Paint Built-In Shelves & Cabinets in a Living Room
If you would like to paint the built-in shelves and cabinets in your living room, you will need to employ particular preparation strategies based on the condition of the shelves and cabinets or the finish will eventually fail. You also must select the appropriate type of coating depending on whether you want the shelves and cabinets to blend in with or stand out from the surrounding walls. Because built-in shelves are prone to drips and runs, you should employ a specific application strategy that will eliminate the chances of paint mishaps.Things You'll Need
- 220-grit sandpaper
- 300-grit sandpaper
- Tack cloth
- Heavy-duty fabric drop cloths
- Blue painter's tape
- Latex primer
- 3- to 4-inch latex paintbrush
- Satin latex paint
- Gloss or semi-gloss latex paint
Move furniture in the living room away from the built-in shelves and cabinets. Remove all items from the built-in shelves.
Cover the living room floor beneath the built-in shelves with fabric drop cloths.
Abrade vinyl, plastic and previously painted wood built-in shelves and cabinets to promote adhesion by sanding them with 220-grit sandpaper. Use 300-grit sandpaper on fiberglass shelves and cabinets. Skip this step if the shelves and cabinets are made of unpainted wood.
Wipe bare wood built-in shelves and cabinets with a tack cloth.
Cover areas immediately adjacent to the built-in shelves with a low-tack painter's tape. Cover the handles on the cabinets with tape, as well.
Coat the built-in shelves and cabinets with a latex primer, using a paintbrush manufactured for use with water-based paints. Apply only a thin coat to eliminate the risk of drips and runs. Inspect the lower corners of the built-in shelves to ensure that no primer is running from them onto the walls. Wait two hours for the primed built-in shelves and cabinets to dry.
Wash the brush with water.
Coat the primed built-in shelves and cabinets with a latex paint. Apply paint to the shelves and cabinets just as you did the primer. Use a satin latex paint if you want the built-in shelves and cabinets to blend in with the walls. Use a gloss or semi-gloss latex paint if you would like them to stand out. Wait two hours for the first coat to dry. Apply another coat if the primer is showing through.
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