How to Use the Rustoleum Cabinet Transformations Kit

The Rustoleum Cabinet Transformations Kit is easy, requires no sanding or priming and is a great way to update outdated cabinets!

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My husband and I are lean more towards being “do-it-yourselfers” when it comes to home improvement projects. We recently finished painting our entire main level, tore out our carpet in the living room and replaced it and our kitchen with new laminate flooring. If there’s a way to do it ourselves more easily and inexpensively than hiring it out, then we will.

Recently we finished our master bathroom: flooring, crown moulding, painting the walls, and updating our cabinets and drawers. After 9 years, the honey colored, knotty alder cabinets that came with our home when we built it were looking a little outdated. We used the Rustoleum Cabinet Transformations Kit to paint our cabinets a nice bright white and they look great! Below is a picture of what our cabinet looked like before:

In this post I’ll share the process with you so you can see the kit in action, as well as give some tips about using the kit so you have a successful cabinet transformation.

Gather Your Supplies

There are a few supplies that come with the kit, including:

• Deglosser (1 bottle)
• Bond Coat (2 cans)
• Protective Coat (1 can)
• Decorative Glaze (2 cans)
• Scrub Pads
• Decorative Glazing Cloths
• Stir Sticks

However, there are a few supplies that you will need to have on hand or purchase in order to complete your cabinet transformation:

• 2” Synthetic Paint Brushes – Angled or Straight (We love this angled brush!)
• 2″ Foam Paint Brush (optional, for glazing)
• 2″ Painters Tape
• Drop Cloths
• Disposable Gloves (optional)
• Lint Free Rags
• Putty (for filling holes or knots)
• Putty Knife
• Sand Paper (We used 150 (rougher grit) and 320 (finer grit))
• Plastic Bumpers
• Screwdriver (manual or power)

Let’s Get Started!

*PRO TIP #1* If you are going to be installing hardware once the cabinets are done and you do not already have holes drilled, drill them BEFORE moving to Step #1. Remember to sand the area around the holes down so you don’t have any wood pieces poking out.

*PRO TIP #2* If you have holes and/or knots that need to be filled, you will need to do it before starting on Step #1. My husband used this putty to fill our knots and it dried and sanded really well.

Step #1: Deglosser

The first step in the process uses a product called a deglosser. This is basically a way to strip the current cabinet down so the paint in step #2 will adhere. By deglossing, you do not need to sand or prime the cabinets. Before using the deglosser, however, you should clean your cabinets with soapy water and a rag. You have to use the green scrub pads to apply the deglosser because they are a little bit abrasive. After deglossing, wipe the cabinets down again with a damp, clean cloth. Then dry them off and allow them to dry for 1 HOUR before moving to step #2.

My big tip for this step is to do a thorough job of deglossing your cabinets! The prep for bigger projects like this often takes longer than the actual application. If you don’t do this step well, you will run into issues later on.

Step #2: Bond Coat

The Rustoleum Cabinet Transformations Kit is perfect for basically any type of finish on your cabinets. The bond coat has been specially formulated to adhere to wood, laminate and melamine. Once you are ready to move onto Step #2, grab your 2″ synthetic paint brush and one can of Bond Coat. Apply it to the cabinet frame, doors and drawer fronts in even coats. Allow the Bond Coat to dry for 2-3 hours before applying the next coat. Because our cabinet was a fairly small project, we were able to apply 3 coats of the Bond Coat, however, for larger projects, you will get 2 coats.

My big tip for this step is to follow the tips in the instructional pamphlet that comes with your kit! It tells you the order you should paint in, which direction to paint in and other helpful tips so you can achieve optimum results.

Step #3: Glazing

We did not glaze our cabinets, so I don’t have any experience with the glaze that is included in the kit. As mentioned above, the instructional pamphlet is very thorough and will guide you through the process.

Step #4: Protective Coat

After all the time we put into our new cabinets, the last thing we’d want is for them to get scratched or stained. This is where the Protective Coat comes in. You will use the same 2″ synthetic brush you used for the Bond Coat and follow the same instructions for application. Once all the areas are covered, let it dry completely. Then you can install your doors, drawer fronts, plastic bumpers and hardware.

My big tip for this step is to make sure you allow a full 12 hours for the Protective Coat to dry before installing your cabinet doors and drawers. If you put them back on too soon, you will end up with fingerprints, dents or scratches in your Protective Coat.

And that’s it!

Whether you have refinished furniture before, or this is your first time, the Rustoleum Cabinet Transformations Kit is a great way to go. Their instructions are clear and thorough and they provide a lot of tips along the way. At the back of the pamphlet, there is a big section of FAQs that are helpful to read (and re-read) as you complete your new and improved cabinets.

The Rustoleum Cabinet Transformations Kit comes in a variety of colors (both light and dark) and each kit covers 100 square feet. It is a great way to update outdated cabinets or to simply change the color of your current cabinets. I would absolutely recommend this kit to anyone looking to take on a cabinet refinishing project!

An additional way to update your cabinets is to use patterned contact paper like I did in our kids bathroom! I share easy tips for applying it and making sure it fits and stays.

Do you have any questions about this kit? I’m happy to answer any of them if I can based on my own experience!

What cabinets in your home could use a little facelift?