Enter the Sand(wo)man

Our kitchen isn't quite what you can call updated. Yes, okay it's outdated with the pink laminate counter tops and appliances straight from the Brady kitchen, but still functional. It needs some help needless to say, but it's not something we can throw money at right now. To help make it feel fresh and new until we can save up enough money to do a serious remodel, we're giving the walls and cabinets a new paint job.



We started out by sanding. Of course we thought it would be a straightforward job, but it never is, at least for us it isn't.



We had to spend extra time sanding because the most recent coat of paint was laid on super thick and we suspect that they didn't clean, sand or prime first. Instead of the paint just easily sloughing off, it had a gummy texture and kind of rolled off in bits leaving behind a less than smooth texture. Because of this, we had to sand down more than we liked to just to get the surface smoother. We went down almost 3 layers of paint on some parts just to get everything nice and smooth. Oh, and paint scraper helps a lot.



One of the things we didn't realize was how dusty this project would be. We stepped in the first day less than prepared.



Dust, dust, dust, everywhere.



First line of defense, a mask and headgear.



Though this may remind you of a childhood meal (Kraft mac'n'cheese, anyone?), it has no place on your clothes, on your hair or in your lungs



The one thing that we really needed is eye gear



Our advice, buy something legit, not from the dollar store. These lasted us maybe 2 hours before we gave up because they fogged up so much.

We're all done with the kitchen and cabinet faces, but we still have cabinet doors and drawers to do. The sanding isn't quite over yet.