What's the Best Degreaser for Greasy Kitchen Cabinets Before Painting?
If your kitchen cabinets are covered in a thick layer of greasy grime, you'll need an heavy-duty degreaser to cut through the grease before painting. Using the wrong product can leave behind oily residue that will prevent paint from properly adhering.
Choosing the most effective degreaser for the job is crucial for properly prepping your cabinets for a smooth, durable paint job.
Why Degreasing Kitchen Cabinets Before Painting Matters
When kitchen cabinets accumulate dirt, dust, and grease over years of use, a thorough deep cleaning is required before painting them. Greasy residue left on the cabinets can cause problems:
- New paint won't stick properly, leading to peeling or chipping
- Grease seeping through the new paint over time, creating an uneven finish
- Kitchen smells persisting despite the fresh coat of paint
Degreasing ensures any oily buildup is removed so the new paint can adhere tightly. The degreaser penetrates below the surface to lift grease from the pores of the wood or laminate material. This allows for long-lasting paint results.
Choosing an Effective Cabinet Degreaser
With all the options on the market, it can get overwhelming finding the ideal degreaser. Here are key things to look for:
Strength Against Heavy Grease
The degreaser needs to be formulated specifically to cut through stubborn, baked-on grease, grime and residue - not just surface dust. Grease accumulates on cabinets near cooking areas, so you need a heavyweight grease remover.
Safe Formulas for Wood Materials
Many harsh degreasers use caustic ingredients and solvents that can damage wood over time. It's vital to pick a cleaner that is safe for all cabinet materials - wood, laminate, and painted surfaces.
No Harsh Chemicals or Solvents
Steer clear of degreasers with lots of volatile solvents and chemicals. The fumes can be overpowering and harmful to breathe. Environmentally-safe cleaners are better for you and your family.
Top Cabinet Degreasers to Consider
Easy Off Professional Easy Off Kitchen Degreaser
Easy Off is purpose-built to obliterate thick, built up grease on kitchen surfaces like cabinets, walls and appliances. The industrial strength spray foam clings to vertical areas rather than dripping down for maximum grease cutting power.
It's safe for finished wood cabinets and powerful enough to tackle layers of caked-on grime. Let it soak for 5-10 minutes before wiping away grease and residue.
Krud Kutter Cleaner Degreaser
Krud Kutter is a versatile degreaser suitable for the heaviest of grime jobs. It cuts through grease fast without harsh fumes or chemicals. It's safe for most surfaces, including painted wood, metal and finished cabinetry.
Apply to a cloth and wipe onto soiled areas, allow to penetrate a few minutes before rinsing clean. Reapply to extremely dirty spots as needed.
Other Notable Options
Some other degreasers to consider for cabinet prep painting include:
- Parker and Bailey Kitchen Cabinet Cream - Mild, safe daily degreaser
- Goo Gone Kitchen Degreaser Spray - Removes caked-on gunk without scrubbing
- ZEP Commercial Purple Heavy Duty Degreaser - Industrial cleaner for heavy buildup
Proper Process for Applying Degreaser
Using the right technique when degreasing cabinets will allow you to achieve the best results:
1. Gather All Materials
Have your degreaser, gloves, scrub brushes, microfiber cloths, painter's tape and plastic sheeting ready before starting. Tape off any nearby surfaces you don't want getting wet.
2. Dispense/Apply Degreaser
Spray, wipe or pour your cleaner directly onto soiled areas according to label directions. Make sure to get inside cabinet frames and doors.
3. Let Degreaser Soak In
Leave the product to penetrate and break down greasy residue for the recommended dwell time before wiping - usually 5+ minutes.
4. Scrub and Rinse Off
Use scrub brushes, scouring pads or microfiber cloths to thoroughly agitate the grease. Multi-directional scrubbing gives the best results. Rinse cleaned areas thoroughly with water.
Testing Degreasers Before Full Use
It's highly advisable to perform a small test in an inconspicuous spot before fully degreasing the whole cabinet set. This will confirm whether the cleaner is suitable:
1. Select a Small Hidden Area to Test
Choose a spot that's normally covered by doors or inside lower cabinets to test your degreaser.
2. Let Dwell & Check for Damage
Allow the degreaser to sit for 5-10 minutes before wiping clean. Examine closely for any discoloration or damage to the cabinet surface.
3. Look for Reactions Before Proceeding
If no negative reactions after 10 minutes, you can safely use the degreaser. If any tackiness, peeling or issue arise, try a different product.
Achieving the Best Results Degreasing Cabinets
Getting a deep, thorough grease cleaning takes patience and the right techniques:
- Let degreasers soak as long as instructed for max effect
- Persistent scrubbing with stiff brushes gives better results
- Trying more than one degreaser helps on tough grease
- Call a professional if DIY efforts don't cut through the years of grime
Putting some muscle into the scrubbing stage helps bring up that deeply embedded kitchen grease for superior paint adhesion.
Prepping Cabinets for Paint After Degreasing
After tackling grease removal, take these additional steps to prep your cabinets for long-lasting paint results:
1. Light Sanding
Gently sand cabinet fronts to degloss and create an optimal paint bonding surface.
2. Apply Primer
Use a quality primer designed for slick surfaces like cabinets for maximum paint adhesion.
3. Fill Any Holes or Gouges
Use wood putty to patch imperfections so they don't show through the new paint.
Proper prep work makes all the difference for creating a durable, beautiful painted cabinet finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly should degreaser be applied?
Focus on areas around the stove, range hood and countertops where kitchen grease accumulates - fronts, doors, handles and frames.
How long should degreaser soak before rinsing?
Follow product directions, but typically 5-10 minutes is needed to allow degreaser to penetrate and lift greasy residue from cabinet pores before rinsing.
Can degreasers damage my current cabinet paint at all?
Harsh solvents and chemicals can damage coatings, so test degreasers first. Look for plant-based or water-based options specifically designed safe for painted wood.
Ensure cabinets are thoroughly rinsed of degreaser residue. Lightly sanding also helps paint grip. Talk to a painting pro if primer/paint keeps peeling off cabinets post-cleaning.