New color for bathroom vanity

Think Happy Thoughts · 02-08-2010, 12:18 PM

Thinking about re painting/re finishing my vanity and just wondering if any one can offer some help. Do I need to sand the vanity? I'd rather paint, if I do, what is the best type to use in a bath area? thanks

dukewuk · 02-08-2010, 12:50 PM

I assume it is wood because you mentioned sanding.

I have old wood cabinets and think of painting, but have not, afraid it will look painted. I did spray paint my chairs (metal) and like the way it came out. On HGTV I've seen many colors - depending on if you want contemporary, country or ?

Black I think would be contemporary? White goes with everything. I've seen colors. A new top and faucet would take away the cabinet.

White makes it bright, I don't have windows in my small bath, but in the master, ?? large with two sinks. I wonder if you wrote to Divine Design or Debbie Travis they may have a general answer.

momto4 · 02-08-2010, 01:30 PM

I painted my old oak vanity white.

I sanded, then primed. Then I gave it 3 coats of paint. I used Behr Semigloss latex. I lightly sanded after I primed, then after the first 2 coats of paint.

I did this about 6 months ago...and so far it is holding up well.

dukewuk · 02-08-2010, 11:03 PM

I have found doing projects are much more harder and requires a lot of time and patience. I watch HGTV it looks so easy.

ShirlM · 02-09-2010, 09:55 AM

Dukewuk, the projects they show on HGTV are always much harder when you try them yourself. And usually more expensive too. DH always says that when we watch any of their shows like DIY stuff. Or sweat equity or stuff where the homeowner is actually helping? His famous saying is "Oh but they don't show how many times they had to do that to get it right" or "they make that look so easy until you try it" or "I wonder how much that costs."

Think Happy Thoughts · 02-11-2010, 07:25 AM

So being a novice, should I just not do this? I don't want to start something and totally screw it up then be in for the big bucks! Yes the vanity is wood. In good shape, I'm just tired of the light oak look and wanted to go either black or espresso colored.

Redsky327 · 02-11-2010, 08:11 AM

You definitely need to sand it. Paint won't stick, otherwise. You don't have to sand it down to bare bone, but it needs enough "tooth" to grab the primer and paint.

buginthelowcountry · 02-11-2010, 09:58 AM

I painted mine in the bathroom... about 2 years ago? I only wish I had used tinted primer... I didn't take my doors off or anything, just lightly sanded, primed, and then painted. I don't mind not having a professional finish since my whole house style is not real polished or contemporary, so I painted with a good quality brush and just brushed it on. I used a satin... Aside from where Joe's scraggly nails have scraped up where he opens his cabinet door, it's holding up really well. (I don't know HOW he scrapes the door when he's supposed to be using the KNOB... but he does!)

I think if you just start with a good attitude... and the proper tools... you'll do fine. Not unlike painting anything else, it's not brain surgery, and if you mess it up, you can sand it and start again.

Went from this...

To this...

I love my oak cabinets throughout the house, but I'm not afeared to paint them if they don't go with my decorating idees! (*"*)

blonde in ohio · 02-11-2010, 10:30 AM

I would sand it first, then paint. If you dont want to sand, you might be able to use primer first so that the paint will adhere.

I watch those decorating shows too, they make it seem so easy. Last spring I got this idea that I would completely strip, sand and redo our basement door. Well, it took me 4 months of hard work, sweat and a few choice words that I wont share on here to get it done. I had to strip off 7 layers of paint and this nasty old primer that probably had lead in it until I got down to the bare door, then I have to sand it and stain it. The door looks good but now I know that I will think long and hard before I start another project like that.

dukewuk · 02-11-2010, 11:18 PM

When I was 27 I used a butane torch to melt off the old paint from windows, replaced rope with chain... but I DO NOT have the patience anymore. I too tried to do cabinets many years ago and it looked like a hatchman did.

Sunny · 02-12-2010, 06:28 AM

You can do it as long as you have the right tools, time, & patience. Ask at your local hardware store which grit of sandpaper to use. I'd use a fine grit, but they come in so many different grits.

Get a good primer & a good stain or paint whichever you decide to use & make sure you get a quality brush, don't go cheapy on that, it'll show in the end & make sure you get ther proper stuff for cleaning the brush. You'll want to keep the brush in good shape for later use.

Also get one of those tac cloths, that will remove all the dust from sanding, you don't want that stuff left behind. You know this project will take several days. Each application will take hours to a day or so to dry. Let each application dry before adding the next. Can you post photos ?

Sand, clean with tac cloth, prime, let dry, paint.

Sunny · 02-12-2010, 06:29 AM

You can do it as long as you have the right tools, time, & patience. Ask at your local hardware store which grit of sandpaper to use. I'd use a fine grit, but they come in so many different grits.

Get a good primer & a good stain or paint whichever you decide to use & make sure you get a quality brush, don't go cheapy on that, it'll show in the end & make sure you get ther proper stuff for cleaning the brush. You'll want to keep the brush in good shape for later use.

Also get one of those tac cloths, that will remove all the dust from sanding, you don't want that stuff left behind. You know this project will take several days. Each application will take hours to a day or so to dry. Let each application dry before adding the next. Can you post photos ?

Sand, clean with tac cloth, prime, let dry, paint.

02-08-2010, 12:18 PM	#1
Think Happy Thoughts Bronze Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 51	New color for bathroom vanity Thinking about re painting/re finishing my vanity and just wondering if any one can offer some help. Do I need to sand the vanity? I'd rather paint, if I do, what is the best type to use in a bath area? thanks

02-08-2010, 01:30 PM	#3
momto4 Double Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 23,430	I painted my old oak vanity white. I sanded, then primed. Then I gave it 3 coats of paint. I used Behr Semigloss latex. I lightly sanded after I primed, then after the first 2 coats of paint. I did this about 6 months ago...and so far it is holding up well. __________________ **~Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.~ Mahatna Ghandi ~How you speak of others says more about you than them.~**

02-11-2010, 08:11 AM	#7
Redsky327 Elite Presidential Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Back and forth til the house sells Posts: 19,006	You definitely need to sand it. Paint won't stick, otherwise. You don't have to sand it down to bare bone, but it needs enough "tooth" to grab the primer and paint. __________________ Really, if some folks would just get to the point where they understood that not everyone is entitled to their opinion, life would be a whole lot easier for them.

02-11-2010, 09:58 AM	#8
buginthelowcountry Elite Presidential Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: lowcountry Posts: 16,421	I painted mine in the bathroom... about 2 years ago? I only wish I had used tinted primer... I didn't take my doors off or anything, just lightly sanded, primed, and then painted. I don't mind not having a professional finish since my whole house style is not real polished or contemporary, so I painted with a good quality brush and just brushed it on. I used a satin... Aside from where Joe's scraggly nails have scraped up where he opens his cabinet door, it's holding up really well. (I don't know HOW he scrapes the door when he's supposed to be using the KNOB... but he does!) I think if you just start with a good attitude... and the proper tools... you'll do fine. Not unlike painting anything else, it's not brain surgery, and if you mess it up, you can sand it and start again. Went from this... To this... I love my oak cabinets throughout the house, but I'm not afeared to paint them if they don't go with my decorating idees! (") __________________ http://chillinonthefrontporch.blogspot.com/ God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, nor sun without rain... But He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way. Live in such a way that those who know you, but don't know God, will come to know God because they know you... I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. Abraham Lincoln

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02-08-2010, 12:50 PM	#2
dukewuk Platinum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: las vegas Posts: 1,181	I assume it is wood because you mentioned sanding. I have old wood cabinets and think of painting, but have not, afraid it will look painted. I did spray paint my chairs (metal) and like the way it came out. On HGTV I've seen many colors - depending on if you want contemporary, country or ? Black I think would be contemporary? White goes with everything. I've seen colors. A new top and faucet would take away the cabinet. White makes it bright, I don't have windows in my small bath, but in the master, ?? large with two sinks. I wonder if you wrote to Divine Design or Debbie Travis they may have a general answer.

02-08-2010, 11:03 PM	#4
dukewuk Platinum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: las vegas Posts: 1,181	I have found doing projects are much more harder and requires a lot of time and patience. I watch HGTV it looks so easy.

02-09-2010, 09:55 AM	#5
ShirlM Topaz Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: RI Posts: 5,318	Dukewuk, the projects they show on HGTV are always much harder when you try them yourself. And usually more expensive too. DH always says that when we watch any of their shows like DIY stuff. Or sweat equity or stuff where the homeowner is actually helping? His famous saying is "Oh but they don't show how many times they had to do that to get it right" or "they make that look so easy until you try it" or "I wonder how much that costs."

02-11-2010, 07:25 AM	#6
Think Happy Thoughts Bronze Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 51	So being a novice, should I just not do this? I don't want to start something and totally screw it up then be in for the big bucks! Yes the vanity is wood. In good shape, I'm just tired of the light oak look and wanted to go either black or espresso colored.

02-11-2010, 10:30 AM	#9
blonde in ohio Platinum Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: southern ohio Posts: 2,334	I would sand it first, then paint. If you dont want to sand, you might be able to use primer first so that the paint will adhere. I watch those decorating shows too, they make it seem so easy. Last spring I got this idea that I would completely strip, sand and redo our basement door. Well, it took me 4 months of hard work, sweat and a few choice words that I wont share on here to get it done. I had to strip off 7 layers of paint and this nasty old primer that probably had lead in it until I got down to the bare door, then I have to sand it and stain it. The door looks good but now I know that I will think long and hard before I start another project like that.

02-11-2010, 11:18 PM	#10
dukewuk Platinum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: las vegas Posts: 1,181	When I was 27 I used a butane torch to melt off the old paint from windows, replaced rope with chain... but I DO NOT have the patience anymore. I too tried to do cabinets many years ago and it looked like a hatchman did.

02-12-2010, 06:28 AM	#11
Sunny Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: VA Posts: 12,468	You can do it as long as you have the right tools, time, & patience. Ask at your local hardware store which grit of sandpaper to use. I'd use a fine grit, but they come in so many different grits. Get a good primer & a good stain or paint whichever you decide to use & make sure you get a quality brush, don't go cheapy on that, it'll show in the end & make sure you get ther proper stuff for cleaning the brush. You'll want to keep the brush in good shape for later use. Also get one of those tac cloths, that will remove all the dust from sanding, you don't want that stuff left behind. You know this project will take several days. Each application will take hours to a day or so to dry. Let each application dry before adding the next. Can you post photos ? Sand, clean with tac cloth, prime, let dry, paint.

02-12-2010, 06:29 AM	#12
Sunny Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: VA Posts: 12,468	You can do it as long as you have the right tools, time, & patience. Ask at your local hardware store which grit of sandpaper to use. I'd use a fine grit, but they come in so many different grits. Get a good primer & a good stain or paint whichever you decide to use & make sure you get a quality brush, don't go cheapy on that, it'll show in the end & make sure you get ther proper stuff for cleaning the brush. You'll want to keep the brush in good shape for later use. Also get one of those tac cloths, that will remove all the dust from sanding, you don't want that stuff left behind. You know this project will take several days. Each application will take hours to a day or so to dry. Let each application dry before adding the next. Can you post photos ? Sand, clean with tac cloth, prime, let dry, paint.