Kitchen shelves see daily use, which means they collect dust, grease, and wear faster than many other surfaces in the home.
Giving them a fresh coat of paint is a great way to update the look of your kitchen and make open shelving feel clean and intentional.
However, shelf painting is not just about the paint itself, and skipping proper prep can lead to peeling, uneven coverage, or a finish that does not last.
Taking time to prepare your shelves correctly helps ensure smooth results and saves you from frustration later.
So, if you’re looking for something to help you in your latest painting project, here’s something you should read—here’s a list of kitchen shelf painting prep tips to understand.
1. Remove Everything From The Shelves
As the first step to your prep work, you’ll want to completely clear the shelves of dishes, décor, and stored items.
This way, you get to access your kitchen without clutter and lessen any kind of mess that might happen in your project.
More importantly, once your shelves are empty, it’ll also be easier to spot stains, damage, or any kind of build-up that you’ll have to remove or take care of prior to painting.
In the meantime, store your kitchen essentials and other things stored in your cabinets somewhere else safely—you can also label them according to their designated shelves for better organization!
2. Clean Away Grease And Residue
Over time of repeated usage and other kitchen activities, your kitchen shelves might have accumulated a thin layer of grease and other kinds of build-up.
While this may not always be visible at a glance, grease and other kinds of build-up on your kitchen shelves should not be overlooked, as this can affect your overall paint adhesion.
To address this, you’ll have to use warm water and a gentle degreaser and wipe down your kitchen shelves thoroughly.
You shouldn’t also forget the corners and edges of your shelves, as this is where residue tends to collect.
After cleaning, you’ll have to allow your shelves to dry completely before moving on, since you don’t want moisture or water to interfere with your coat of paint later on.
3. Sand Lightly To Create A Smooth Surface
As part of your prep work, you’ll also want to sand your shelves lightly in order to create a smooth surface.
Light sanding helps remove old finishes and gives the new paint something to grip.
Remember that you do not need to sand aggressively, just enough to dull any glossy areas and smooth rough spots.
After sanding, wipe away any dust with a clean cloth so the surface stays clean and ready for primer.
4. Protect Surrounding Areas Before Painting
Since your shelves are often close to walls, countertops, and cabinets, protecting nearby surfaces is essential.
First, you’ll want to use painter’s tape along edges and lay down drop cloths to catch drips or splatter.
You’ll also want to protect areas near your kitchen shelves with drop cloths or plastic sheeting to avoid getting paint drips and spills all over them.
While this may take a bit of time, making this effort to protect necessary areas helps keep the rest of your kitchen clean and reduces cleanup once the job is done.
5. Prime Before Applying Paint
Lastly, before getting right into your paint job, you’ll want to apply a coat of primer first.
Primer helps seal the surface and prevents stains or old colors from showing through.
It also improves paint adhesion, which is especially important for shelves that hold weight and see frequent use.
To do this, you should apply primer in thin, even coats and allow it to dry fully before painting.
Once the coat is dry, all that’s left to do is to start your painting process and have fun!
Consider hiring a professional painting contractor in Chadds Ford, PA, like Left Moon Painting. We have years of experience offering residential repainting services in Chadds Ford, PA. If you would like to try us, request a FREE estimate below to get started, or call us at (484) 757-5295 for more information.
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