We hope to have our house for sale sometime in 2022. Our kitchen is probably a guy job and we’ve been encouraged not to put any $ into it because of that.
The INSIDE shelves of the cabinets are pretty rough - all scuffed up. I’ve been thinking about taking a little time to just throw some paint
On the inside so they don’t look so dire. Not touching the outside at all.
I’ve done a good bit of DIY painting. I can certainly ask at the paint store but wondering what type of paint I should consider. I prefer to use a latex for easy clean up. Probably semi gloss? Maybe a one step primer/paint? A very light sanding prior to painting for the flat surfaces?
This would not take much $ but yes, my time. Thought I could do a few each weekend.
Again, not looking for a miracle just for them not to be a turn off invade a prospective buyer needs to life with them for a bit.
Our home is not a pricey home by CC standards. Your typical but pretty Midwest 1925 4 bedroom 2 story Colonial.
Gosh, this is why I love the Parent’s Forum…we’re thinking about the same things!
Depending on the surface, I think the light sanding and the primer is key. We did them separately, primer and then paint.
Do yourself a favor and get a sander. They aren’t expensive, and it will make the fun work of painting, completing, and relishing in the joy of a new-look set of shelves. It will also make the sanding more consistent.
Also, can I suggest you NOT go to one of the big box hardware stores for the paint and primer? Take one of your shelves to Kelly Moore or Benjamin Moore, if you have one of those stores near you. The folks there are INCREDIBLY helpful and will give you the right materials and quantities (tell them the number of shelves). They are definitely more expensive, but I think you will get “free” advice for that extra amount, which probably shouldn’t be all that much.
I think we’re going to be doing quite a bit of painting in 2022. Amazingly enough, this Christmas, Santa brought us a professional quality spray painting system that I am sure he sourced on Amazon. That will make exceedingly quick work of your shelves, along with your sander!
Putting down shelf paper would also be easy as previously recommended!
Honestly, I am not a fan of shelf paper nor the process of doing it. Painting almost seems easier! I did have some IKEA I’ll call it “bubble liner” - sort of like a really thin bubble wrap. Don’t know if I still have that!
I don’t disagree about the smaller store vs big box. BUT I have to say since COVID hit our local Sherwin Williams store has been AWFUL. On multiple occasions. The staff seems clueless and seriously I have walked in their several times and left without paint - because they did not have paint! They have been out of so many varieties and/or quality levels of paint - last time they told me I’d have to drive 75 minutes north (north of Detroit) from Ohio to get a med-high quality indoor latex!
We have an electric sander I can use. I do have a good amount of cabinets so I may trial some (no harm done) or pick and choose level wise which I tackle.
Sherwin Williams is not one that I would recommend. Either of the Moores is FAR better, and they are usually where the contractors go (if you have a contractor friend, get their discount number, and you will save more…no pun intended).
While either of the Moores will be a bit more expensive, I don’t think you’re talking about a huge amount of primer or paint. I think they can guide you well, as they deal with contractors/painting pros all the time, at least in my neck of the woods.
If you already have the electrical sander, that will save you a ton of work right there. Obviously, get higher grit sandpaper (the Moores can advise on that too).
I would suggest that you try to knock this off in one or two go’s if at all possible. Clean up of paint etc is what I HATE, and the less you have to do of that, the faster things will go.
“Santa’s” gifting us of the sprayer was fortuitous. Doing our cabinets was one of the MANY projects I have in mind, and we are gratified that “Santa” understood our situation.
I usually put the rubberized shelf liner on my shelves (with the holes). You can typically find very cheap rolls at TJMaxx or BestBuy. No sticking. Just cutting. I would think that a lot easier than sanding and painting!
We have the ribbed type in most of our upper cabinets, and the grip type in the others.
If you plan to put anything on the shelves after painting, it will stick to the fresh latex paint. (Ask me how I know…)
I get that paper is quicker but, as a serious buyer, I’d definitely make a mental note that the shelf liner would have to go (because it’s “used”) and, if I were actually going to make an offer, you bet I’d look under that paper. Maybe that’s just me. Cleanly finished shelving would be a plus for me. Paper, not so much. I think @abasket has the right idea.
Good luck with the prep for your sale, abasket! Please keep us posted.
I can throw out there that in the past few weeks we refinished the late 1980s cabinets in my parent’s colonial in preparation for sale (actually - my husband did!). My hub’s standard are so incerdibly high - he spent incalculable hours sanding, paint spraying, etc. those old cabinets (approx. 20x the amount of time I would have devoted to the task :-)). That being said - they turned out beautifully - gleaming, flawless white.
And he put down white shelf paper inside. it looks amazing. Even he didn’t want to tackle the insides! lol. Just adding that experience to the mix as you figure out what to do.
Also thinking - if you are assuming potential buyers will plan to gut the kitchen - do the insides of the cabinets matter as much (such to devote the time to painting vs. good quality shelf liner?). Just a thought!!
I thought from the original post that the kitchen was considered a gut. If that’s the case, the new owners are going to rip it out anyway. I’d go with quick and cheap if anything at all.
Yes it’s a less than ideal situation/decision. They look so yuck inside I feel mixed to do something! I’ll give this all some thought. Maybe I’ll trial a couple ideas….
Ask your real estate agent. A friend recently sold her house, and believe me, it needed a lot more gutting than just the kitchen cabinets. I offered to help paint all the walls, and deal with flooring issues.
Her agent told her to clean the house and not do another thing.
First offer came the first day listed for $22,000 more than asking price.
I’m guessing the new owners were planning to gut the kitchen, 2 1/2 baths, paint and replace all floors before they moved in.
You are all sort of right and aren’t wrong! I’ll be honest, the kitchen is just one place we didn’t get to “redoing” and it shows. It was relatively new when we moved in 20+ years ago and other repairs/improvements came first (plus I could never make up my mind!) . I think honestly, I’m a little embarrassed how scuffed up they are inside. Call me crazy!! :). Our real estate agent did say “do nothing” but my sense of pride wants to do a little something.
Thought about this a lot of my walk this morning and I think I may punt the painting and TRIAL a deep inside cleaning (Mr Clean erasers may help ) and consider some shelf liner for some cabinets where the shelf is more eye level/visible. If I hate it, I’ll stop and just do nothing.
So now to find some shelf liner. I don’t want anything printed (that reminds me of my mom doing that to our shelves with contact paper in the 60’s/70’s!!!). I would want either a neutral “white” or a opaque clear liner. If anyone has any you have ordered via Amazon or otherwise please share! Is it possible to find something that stays put (doesn’t move) but is NOT an adhesive?
Clearly I have not bought shelf liner in decades….
I would not use anything with an adhesive backing (like contact paper). I find it very difficult to smoothly put down…plus…if the next owner hates it, it will be almost impossible to get off.
