How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets: If you want to spruce up your space, painting your kitchen cabinets could also be a game changer that doesn’t involve an expensive remodel. Whether you’re looking to update outdated cabinetry or want a color change to fit a new design trend, distressing kitchen cabinets can make all the difference, so be sure you do it right. This comprehensive guide guides you through each step of the process, from preparation to the final coat of paint to give you a factory finish that will last.
The Case for Painting Your Kitchen Cabinets
Now, let’s step back before getting into how to paint kitchen cabinets and why this may be the best home project you can do to make your kitchen look incredible and increase the value of your home. A coat of paint on your cabinets will completely change the feel of the room, making it appear fresh, modern, and sleek. It’s also a less expensive option than replacing cabinets entirely.
Approachable Home Improvements on a Budget
Cabinets can be costly to replace, sometimes costing thousands. Painting is much cheaper and has an excellent return on investment. A freshly painted kitchen can help elevate the value of your home and provide a clean, contemporary facelift.
This ensures a more personalized and customized approach.
A further benefit of painting your cabinets is the limitless array of colors. Paint is a customizable medium, allowing you to achieve anything from a sleek, modern aesthetic with matte black cabinets to a softer, cottage-like feel with pastel shades that suit your home’s aesthetic.
What You Need to Paint Kitchen Cabinets
If you want your kitchen cabinets to have a smooth, long-lasting finish, visit the article to learn about the essential materials you need. Here are a few tools and supplies to make the process easier and help you achieve professional-level results.
| Material/Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Screwdriver | To remove cabinet hardware and doors. |
| Drop Cloths or Plastic Sheets | To protect surrounding surfaces from paint. |
| Painter’s Tape | To protect areas you don’t want to paint. |
| Sandpaper (150-220 grit) | For smoothing surfaces before painting. |
| Degreaser/Cleaning Solution | To remove grease and grime from cabinets. |
| Primer | To help paint adhere to cabinet surfaces. |
| Paint (latex or oil-based) | For the final coat of paint. |
| Paintbrushes and Rollers | For applying the primer and paint. |
| Small Foam Roller | For an even, smooth finish. |
| Paint Tray | For holding paint while working. |
Armed with these tools, you’re ready to start the painting process.
How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets: A Step-by-Step Guide
Remove All Hardware and Doors
To paint your cabinets, you first need to clear the area out. Start by unscrewing all of the cabinet hardware, handles, knobs, and hinges. Consider stripping the cabinet doors and drawers out of their frames entirely. This will allow you to quickly access each surface to paint the parts individually for a better, neater finish.
If you (or movers) remove hardware, keep all screws, knobs, hinges, and handles in labeled bags or small containers so you don’t lose any parts. Get your hardware in order because it saves you time when you’re looking to reassemble your cabinets later. When removing your doors and drawers, having a second pair of hands might help, especially if the doors and drawers weigh heavily. This will help prevent damage and make the process simpler.
Clean the Cabinets Thoroughly
After you remove the doors and hardware, you will want to clean your cabinets as clean as possible. When kitchen cabinets are used to prepare food, grease, oils, dirt, and dust, one of the most common grimes over the years is built up. These contaminants can disrupt the paint’s ability to adhere to the surface properly, so you must remove them before you start painting.
Use a degreaser or a mild cleaning solution that is safe for the materials of your cabinets to clean them. Wipe the cleaner on with a clean rag or sponge, scrubbing all surfaces — including the backs of the doors, the inside of the cabinets, and all the corners. Focus on high-touch surfaces like handles or spots near the stove where grease accumulates.
Once cleaned, wipe down the surfaces with a dry towel to remove excess moisture and let them air dry for 30 minutes. This prevents any residual water or cleaning solution from being left on the cabinets’ surfaces, potentially affecting the next steps.
Sand the Surfaces
Sanding cabinet surfaces is the most important part of the process if you want a smooth, professional finish. Sanding also removes any imperfections or gloss from the previously applied finish and helps the paint adhere to the surface better. For this, you’ll want medium-grit sandpaper (about 150-220 grits) to scuff up the surfaces of the cabinet doors, drawers, and frames.
It is crucial to sand all surfaces lightly but thoroughly. You don’t have to sand the existing finish entirely, but you want to make the surface rougher so the new paint will stick. Be thorough to correct any uneven sanding or buildup of dust or grime.
It is important to remove all dust and debris from the surface after sanding. Before proceeding, wipe the cabinets with a clean, damp cloth to ensure that all sanding residue is gone. If needed, let the surfaces sit for a few minutes to air dry.
Apply a Primer
Next comes the application of primer, one of the most crucial steps in the painting process. The primer completes two tasks: it establishes a smoother, more even surface for the paint and enhances the adhesion between the paint and the cabinet top surfaces. Using a primer is especially important if you’re painting over a dark color (think deep blue or a burgundy red), stained wood, or a shiny finish, in which case primer can help cover those colors/finishes so that they don’t show through your new paint.
If you paint over cabinets with a darker paint application, go with white primer, as it will be less likely to allow the old color to shine through. If the wood has been stained, you may have to use a stain-blocking primer to keep the natural tannins in the wood from seeping through to the final finish.
Apply the primer using a paintbrush for smaller spaces and a foam roller for more open or flat surfaces. If you paint with a brush, always paint in the direction of the wood grain to avoid visible strokes. Do not apply too much primer to a brush or roller, as it can cause runs with an uneven finish.
Make sure the primer is thoroughly dry. This usually takes 1-4 hours, but you can refer to the product instructions for appropriate drying times. Once the primer dries, it’s time to progress to the next step.
Sand Again
After the primer dries, it’s time for another sanding round. Lightly sand the primed surfaces using fine-grit sandpaper (about 220-grit). This helps minimize any bump, brush mark, or other imperfection that may have been created while priming, providing a flawless coat for paint.
Don’t sand aggressively; you want the surface to be smooth and even. Once sanded, wipe the dust off with a damp cloth—this will prepare the final coat of paint for the cabinets.
Apply the Paint
And now for the fun part: putting the paint on your kitchen cabinets. For better results, I highly recommend one designed for use in. Latex paint, for example, is popular because of its durability, ease of cleaning, and short drying time. If you like an even smoother finish, you can use oil-based paint, but it takes longer to dry and requires more extended ventilation.
Use a high-quality paintbrush for detailed areas (this includes edges and trim) and a small foam roller for larger flat areas to ensure even coverage. It’s important to apply thin, even coats of paint. First, brush paint along the edges and corners, then use the foam roller to paint the flat surfaces of the doors, drawers, and cabinet frames.
Work in sections while painting and brush with the grain of wood to avoid watermark streaks from being visible. When applying your first coat, avoid overloading your roller with paint. Brush the paint in long, smooth strokes, and watch for drips or runs. Let the first coat dry for a few minutes. While it will depend on the type of paint used, it’s generally advised to wait between 2 and 4 hours for drying.
Check the surface for imperfections or missed spots once the first coat has dried. If required, lightly sand again before the second layer of paint. After applying the second coat, let it dry completely.
Reassemble the Cabinets
The last step (after the paint has thoroughly dried) is to reassemble your cabinets. Just make sure to check that everything is dry and cured before handling. Attach the cabinet hardware — handles, knobs, and hinges — and put the doors and drawers back onto their frames. Be careful not to scratch or otherwise mar the newly painted surfaces when doing this.
Enlisting the help of a friend or family member makes it easier to rehang the doors and reinstall the drawers, which can be finicky. Finally, put everything back in place, step back, and enjoy your newly updated kitchen cabinets!
Advice for a Durable Finish
Painting kitchen cabinets can produce a durable and professional finish but requires careful attention at every step. A well-painted cabinet could bring beauty and value to your kitchen, but proper methods must ensure that the paint appears fresh and vibrant for years. Below are some more detailed tips that can help you get a lasting, quality finish:
Use High-Quality Paint
The quality of paint you select is the most crucial element in ensuring your freshly painted cabinets stand the test of time. It might be tempting to opt for a less expensive way, but when painting kitchen cabinets, investing in a high-quality option specifically for cabinetry will have a considerable impact.
Choose latex paints that are specifically formulated to be durable, washable, and resistant to traffic. These paints stand up to the normal abuse that kitchen cabinets experience on a daily basis. Oil-based paints, which create a smoother finish, can also be more challenging to work with and take longer to dry, so if you use them, you may want to save them for work where a superior finish is essential, though they do yellow over time.
Seek paints that provide the following characteristics:
Scratch resistance: Kitchen cabinets get a lot of use, so you want paint that resists chipping, scratching, and scuff marks.
Stain resistance: Good paint should be wipeable and clean after liquid spills or splatters in a kitchen.
Color lasted longer: High-quality paints do not fade or discolor over time. They also significantly outlast lower-quality paints, helping your cabinets look new and polished for years.
Be sure to choose paint that is low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds) as well. This will help improve indoor air quality and minimize dangerous emissions, especially if you are painting in an enclosed area like a kitchen.
Be Patient & Give Enough Drying Time
It may be tempting to speed up the process and blow through multiple coats of paint in one fell swoop, but it’s better to take it slow when it comes to painting kitchen cabinets. Proper drying time is essential for a smooth and long-lasting finish. Each new coat of paint must be allowed adequate dry time to cure before the next is put on.
You will put yourself at risk if you shortcut this step:
- Blurring the new paint and shaping smudges.
- Only fully dry if the previous layer is dry. Otherwise, the paint will not cling to the primed surface, causing uneven coverage.
- Reduced adhesion between coats results in peeling or cracking as time passes.
Generally, it would help if you waited at least 1-4 hours for the primer to dry and 2-4 hours for each coat of paint to dry before sanding or applying a second coat. Let the cabinets sit for at least 24 hours after the final coat of paint so they can cure and harden.
In some instances, if you are working in a very humid environment or using oil-based paints, it can be useful to give it an extra drying time. Please don’t hurry; simply allow the drying to take its course.
Do Not Paint Under Humidity
- Humidity can significantly affect how well your paint adheres to the cabinet surfaces and how long it lasts. It can also impact dry time for paint, which can cause issues like blotchy finishes, drips, and uneven texture.
- When humidity is high, paint can be slow to dry, even much longer than anticipated, resulting in a tacky surface that never fully cures. This can cause prints, smudging, or even damage to the finish when you touch the cabinets during the time it takes the paint to fully cure.
- Avoid these problems by painting your cabinets on a dry, low-humidity day. This can pose challenges when the indoor environment cannot be weatherproofed. Having a dehumidifier is really going to help you dry it out much faster and maintain the air conditions over the time you’re painting, giving your paint the best conditions to dry out in.
- It’s also best to avoid painting on frigid or particularly hot days (when paint performance can also suffer due to temperature). For the best results, paint your cabinets when the temperature is between 50°F (10°C) and 85°F (29°C) ideally.
Paint on a Protective Topcoat
This will give your freshly painted kitchen cabinets an extra layer of durability and protection. You can use a clear polyurethane topcoat over the last layer of your paint. The topcoat serves as a sealant—it creates a hard layer of material that protects your cabinets from the normal wear-and-tear inflicted on them through cooking, cleaning, and general use.
Protects the paint from wear and scratches with a polyurethane topcoat.
Scratching: Kitchen cabinets are more prone to scratching from utensils, pots, and pans. A topcoat gives a stricter finish and helps prevent damage.
Stains and spills: Kitchens give spills, from cooking oils to sauces to drinks. A topcoat will also help make cleaning up spills easier and will help prevent spills from soaking into or staining the paint.
Moisture: Kitchens tend to have a lot of humidity, particularly around sinks and stoves. A topcoat creates a waterproof barrier that resists water and grease penetration, making the paint more easily applied and removed.
- When applying a topcoat, select one that corresponds with your desired sheen. A matte polyurethane for a low-luster or flat finish, and a high-gloss polyurethane will impart super shine to your cabinets if you prefer a glossy finish.
- Apply a thin, even layer of topcoat with a clean brush. Be sure not to overload the brush and use long, even strokes to avoid bubbles and streaks. Let the topcoat dry for the recommended time, then lightly sand it with fine-grit sandpaper before applying a second coat.
- That’s precisely why, besides the primer and paint, we applied a topcoat so that after years of being opened and shut daily, your cabinets will still look new.
FAQs About Painting Kitchen Cabinets
What is the best type of paint for kitchen cabinets?
When painting kitchen cabinets, opt for latex paint made for cabinetry. Latex paint is durable, easy to clean, and dries quickly. Oil-based paint is also an option if you don’t mind longer drying times, but it can yellow with time.
Can you paint kitchen cabinets without sanding?
If you do, you can paint over cabinets without sanding, but it will yield a smoother look, and the paint will stick better to sanded wood. Not doing so can lead to peeling or chipping down the line. If your cabinets are in good condition and you use a bonding primer, it might be OK to skip sanding, but light sand is always recommended for the best finish.
What do I need to do to prepare my kitchen cabinets for painting?
Cabinet prep consists of multiple steps:
- Take off all of the hardware (handles, knobs, hinges).
- Make sure to clean the layer with grease, oils, and dust.
- Lightly sand the surfaces to help the paint stick.
Paint a primer on it and smoothen its surface. Following these steps will ensure that your paint sticks properly and looks professional.
How long does it take to paint the kitchen cabinets?
Painting kitchen cabinets can take anywhere from 2 to 4 days in total, depending on the frequency of the paint coats and the kitchen’s size. This includes time for cleaning, sanding, priming, painting, and letting the paint dry properly between coats. Make sure to account for drying times so you don’t end up smearing or getting uneven results.
Is it possible to repaint dark cabinets with light paint?
Yes, you can lighten dark cabinets with lighter paint, but you will want first to use a high-quality primer, such as a stain-blocking primer, so the dark does not bleed through the light color. You might need several coats of light paint for complete coverage.
How many coats of paint are on the cabinets?
The best finish for your cabinets is a minimum of two coats of paint. The first coat sets the base, and the second coat ensures that the coverage is even and that there is a smooth and professional finish. Make sure you let the first coat dry fully before applying a second coat.
Need to use a topcoat on painted kitchen cabinets?
Once painted and dried, it is highly advised to use either a clear polyurethane topcoat or spray. The topcoat provides an additional layer of protection from scratches, stains, and moisture; kitchen cabinets are subjected to spills and splashes daily. Use a topcoat with the same sheen as your paint (matte, satin, or gloss).
How can I prevent streaks or brush marks when painting cabinets?
Then, use a cabinet-quality brush to apply—to avoid streaks and brush marks, use high-quality brushes made for cabinetry. Use a foam roller to achieve smooth, even coverage on flat surfaces and a brush for the edges and corners. Use thin, even coats of paint, and do not overload your brush or roller. Paint always in the direction of the wood grain.
Can I paint laminate or MDF cabinets?
While you can paint laminate cabinets and MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) cabinets, they need more preparation. You need to prime the surfaces using a bonding primer designed for laminate or MDF surfaces so that the paint will adhere well. Sand the surfaces lightly to promote adherence to the primer, and ensure you use a durable paint finish capable of withstanding cleaning and moisture.
How long should I wait before using my kitchen cabinets after painting?
You want to let the paint cure thoroughly before using your cabinets. Allow at least 24 hours after the final coat before using the cabinets. However, for optimal results, let the paint cure for up to 72 hours before putting items in cabinets or using them for everyday purposes.
Conclusion
The kitchen cabinets are some of your kitchen’s most heavily used items, so painting them is a super rewarding project that can spruce up the space! Using the proper materials, plenty of patience, and detailed work, you can end up with a professional-quality finish that appears to have been done by a professional. If you want to update your kitchen without a complete remodel, this process will be well worth your time!
