A VANITY MAKEOVER

Updating an old vanity isn’t as bad as you may think. The one I had was a few decades old but what I did was much cheaper then buying a new one.

I purchased a Rustoleum cabinet kit from Menards and cost about $80.00. The benefits are:

• No stripping, sanding or priming required
• Excellent paint adhesion
• High-quality looks
• Low cost
• No noxious fumes

With this product, the company seems to be making a major move on today’s kitchen renovation market which, in the wake of the Great Recession, is about working with what we have. Especially what we have is existing, functional cabinetry.

Another benefit of Rustoleum’s new system is that everything you need comes in one kit, except for brushes and gloves. Make sure you open the kit in the store and have them mix the color you want. I brought it home and realized it wasn’t tinted yet. Before you start, remove and number the doors and set them up “assembly line” fashion for efficiency. If you’re going to change your cabinet pulls, this is also the time to drill new holes and fill the old but I purchased new pulls that would fit the holes.

The instructions are easy to follow. Start with their cleaner that removes grease and grime. This replaces the sanding process.

Paint the kitchen cabinets using the tinted “bond coat” paint provided. Two coats, dry between according to instructions. The kit comes with an optional glaze, which emphasizes the wood grain. I chose not to use it.

Last, apply the top coat and once it is completely dry you can reinstall the doors and drawers. There is to sizes of kits. I purchased the smaller one but for around $150 you can buy a larger kit for kitchen cabinets.