Freshen Up Your Bathroom Vanity With A Coat Of Paint

Painting your bathroom vanity is a great way to freshen up the look of your bathroom without a major renovation. It's a cost-effective way to transform your space and can be done easily with the right tools and know-how. With just a quart of paint and some basic equipment, you can achieve a professional-grade finish that will last for years. The process involves cleaning and prepping the space, removing hardware, sanding, priming, painting, and then reassembling your vanity. The best paint options for bathroom vanities are water-based paints for low fumes and easy cleanup, or oil-based paints for a durable finish that works well in moist environments.

Clean and prep the space

Painting your bathroom vanity is a great way to freshen up the look of your bathroom. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide to cleaning and preparing your space for painting:

Firstly, remove all items from your vanity, including the drawers, doors, and hardware. Place the screws and hardware in a safe, labelled bag or container to ensure you can replace them correctly later on. It is important to keep your hardware organised and safe, so you know what goes back where when it's time to reassemble your vanity.

Next, lay a drop cloth on the floor around your workspace. This will protect the area from sanding dust and paint. You may also want to open a window or set up a fan to ensure good ventilation during the process.

Now it's time to start cleaning. Use a damp cloth and a degreaser if necessary to thoroughly clean the vanity, including all drawers and doors. If you use a degreaser, be sure to rinse with fresh water to keep the surface contaminant-free. After cleaning, it is important to let the surface dry completely before proceeding to the next step.

Once the surface is dry, you can begin sanding. Sanding is crucial to achieving a professional-looking result. Use medium-grit (150) sandpaper to sand the drawers, doors, and outer cabinet frame. If your vanity is already painted or coated, this step will help you remove the clear coat or any uneven paint. If your vanity is unfinished, a light sanding with fine-grit (220) sandpaper should suffice. Sand with the grain of the wood, not against it, and always wear protective gear like gloves and a face mask during this step.

After sanding, use a vacuum to remove the sanding dust and debris, then wipe down the surface with a microfiber towel to remove any residual dust. You can finish the cleaning and preparation process by wiping all surfaces with a liquid deglosser to ensure a smooth and clean surface for painting. Now your space is clean and prepped, and you can move on to the next steps of priming and painting your bathroom vanity!

Remove drawers, doors, and hardware

To prepare your vanity for painting, you must first remove all items from your bathroom vanity, including the drawers, doors, and hardware. Thoroughly clean the cabinets and the surrounding area using a damp cloth and degreaser if necessary. If you use a degreaser, make sure to rinse with fresh water afterward to keep the surface contaminant-free.

Next, using a screwdriver, remove all hardware, including hinges, knobs, and pulls. It is important to place all screws and hardware in a safe place and label the back of each door and drawer to ensure you put them back in the correct spot during reassembly. You can also place the hardware in a sealed plastic bag to prevent anything from getting lost.

Additionally, if your vanity has adjustable shelves, remove them as well and set them aside on a drop cloth to be painted separately. The drop cloth will protect your work area from sanding dust and errant paint. It is also recommended to cover any nearby surfaces or walls with painter's tape to protect them from paint.

Tape the area

Painting your bathroom vanity is a great way to freshen up the look of your bathroom. Before you start painting, it's important to tape off the area to protect the surfaces you don't want to paint. Here's a detailed guide on how to tape the area before painting your bathroom vanity:

Prepare the Workspace:

Before taping, it's essential to prepare your workspace. Clear the area by removing all items from your bathroom vanity, including countertops, sinks, and any decorative items. This will give you a clean and accessible space to work with. Cover the surrounding floor area with a drop cloth to catch any falling dust or paint splatters. This protective layer will make cleaning up easier and prevent accidental paint stains on your floor.

Tape Adjacent Areas:

Use painter's tape, also known as masking tape, to cover any surfaces near your bathroom vanity that you want to keep paint-free. This includes the walls, floor, and any nearby furniture or fixtures. Apply the tape along the perimeter of the vanity, ensuring you tape off the underside of the vanity countertop. This will create a clear boundary, preventing paint from accidentally reaching these areas.

Tape Cabinet Edges:

Apply painter's tape to the inside edges of the cabinet doors and drawers. If you plan to paint the cabinet interiors, you can skip taping the inside edges. The tape will create a clean line and prevent paint from seeping into unwanted areas. It will also make it easier to open and close the doors and drawers during the painting process.

Tape Hardware:

If there is any hardware on your vanity that you cannot remove, such as hinges, knobs, or pulls, use small pieces of painter's tape to cover them. This will protect the hardware from paint splatters and ensure they remain untouched by the new paint colour. Make sure to press down the edges of the tape firmly to create a tight seal.

Tape Protection:

After taping, take a moment to review the entire area. Ensure that all surfaces you want to protect are adequately covered with painter's tape. Painter's tape is designed to be easily removable without leaving residue, so you can be generous with its application. This step is crucial to ensuring a clean and precise paint job.

By following these steps, you will effectively tape the area before painting your bathroom vanity. It is important to take your time during this process to ensure a neat and professional-looking finish. Once you are satisfied with the taping, you can proceed to the next steps of your bathroom vanity painting project.

Sand the vanity

Sanding is an important step in painting your bathroom vanity, as it helps the new paint adhere to the surface. The extent of sanding required depends on the condition of your vanity. If your vanity is already painted or coated, you will need to sand it to remove the clear coat or any uneven paint. Use medium-grit (120-150) sandpaper for this initial sanding. If your vanity has hardware holes or any damage/imperfections, fill them with wood filler before sanding. You can use wood skewers dipped in wood glue, toothpicks, or another method to fill the holes.

When sanding, always sand with the grain of the wood, not against it. If your vanity is unfinished or you are working with bare wood, a light sanding with fine-grit (220) sandpaper should be sufficient. Once the surface is smooth, switch to fine-grit sandpaper for a final light sanding.

After sanding, it is important to clean the vanity to remove any dust and debris. You can use a vacuum and a microfiber towel to ensure the surface is free of residue. With a damp cloth, thoroughly clean the surface of your vanity, including all drawers and doors. Now you are ready to prime and paint your vanity!

Prime the vanity

Painting your bathroom vanity is a great way to freshen up the look of your bathroom. It is a simple and inexpensive way to breathe new life into your space. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide to priming your vanity before painting.

Firstly, you need to prepare the vanity for priming. If your vanity is already painted or coated, use medium-grit (150) sandpaper to sand down the drawers, doors, and outer cabinet frame. This will remove any uneven paint or clear coat. Once you have a smooth surface, switch to fine-grit (220) sandpaper for a light sanding. Always sand with the grain of the wood, not against it. If your vanity is unfinished, you only need to do a light sanding with fine-grit sandpaper. After sanding, vacuum the dust and use a microfiber towel to remove any residual dust. Then, use a damp cloth to thoroughly clean the vanity surface, drawers, and doors.

Now you are ready to prime the vanity. Using a large paintbrush or a 4" roller, apply an even coat of primer to the cabinet frame and each drawer and door. It is recommended to use a waterborne bonding primer, such as STIX® Waterborne Bonding Primer or Sherwin-Williams Extreme Bond Primer, as it adheres well to bathroom surfaces. If you are painting over a dark colour with a light colour, you should apply two coats of primer. Allow the primer to dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Once the primer is dry, lightly sand the surfaces again with 220-grit sandpaper. This will ensure a smooth finish for your paint. Finally, wipe everything clean with a damp microfiber cloth, and your vanity will be ready for painting!

Frequently asked questions