The Pro’s Guide to Painting Kitchen Cabinets

Much of the painting process is actually preparation work. For a successful cabinet paint job, it’s critical that all surfaces of the cabinet are smooth, clean and dust-free. Professional painters often use a paint sprayer for a furniture-grade finish without brush marks; they may even take the doors to a shop to spray paint them. That’s a topic in itself, so for our DIY homeowners we’ll focus on working with a brush and roller instead.

Step 1: Remove cabinet doors and hardware

Flat surfaces are critical to a great paint job. Use a screwdriver or power drill to remove all the cabinet doors and lay them flat on your work tables. Remove the hinges and knobs and set them aside. If you’re replacing the hardware and won’t reuse the existing holes, fill them with wood filler. Use plastic drop cloths and painter’s tape to protect the countertops, backsplash and floors.

Step 2: Clean and prep all cabinet surfaces

Even a clean-looking kitchen can have cooking residue on cabinet surfaces. Use a sponge and bucket to wash cabinets with a degreaser like TSP. This removes any grease and helps de-gloss the surface. If the cabinets have a shiny finish, a chemical deglosser is a good next step. Let them dry thoroughly.

Step 3: Prep with sandpaper and tack cloth

Sand all surfaces with the 120-grit sandpaper, making sure to get into any crevices. A sanding sponge is helpful for moldings. There’s no need to remove the existing paint or finish; just be sure to rough up the entire surface. Sand any filled holes thoroughly for a nice flat surface. After sanding, wipe down with a damp rag to remove dust; then wipe again with the tack cloth.

Step 4: Apply a coat of primer

Make sure your paint brush is clean and the bristles are smooth. Apply a thin primer coat to all surfaces using the foam roller; use the angled brush to paint corners and moldings and catch drips. Start with the cabinet doors – they take longer because you need to paint both sides, with drying time in between. Starting with the backs of cabinet doors is a great way to practice your painting skills! Always work from the center outwards; roll the middle of door panels and finish off edges with the brush. When repainting inside cabinets, working back to front helps minimize the mess.

While the doors dry, move on to the cabinet boxes, and then come back and paint the cabinet door fronts. This step will probably take up the rest of your workday, so let everything dry overnight.

Step 5: Sand cabinets after priming

Once the primer has dried for 16-24 hours, sand the cabinets again to achieve a smooth surface. This time, use a medium 300-400 grit sandpaper or sanding block. Pay special attention to grooves or corners where flat areas meet to remove drips or pooled paint. This is also your opportunity to fix any dings or gaps you see with wood filler or caulk. Any imperfections on the surface will be highlighted by the paint sheen, so take the time to prep carefully. Wipe away the dust with a rag, and go over everything again with the tack cloth.

Step 6: Paint!

Finally, it’s time for the first coat of paint. Use both the foam roller and the angled brush. Starting again with the backs of cabinet doors, roll the surface and use the brush to catch drips and paint any details. Let the doors dry completely while you paint the cabinet boxes. If you’re using latex paint, you can probably return later the same day to paint the door fronts if they’ve had time to dry. Alkyd paint takes longer to dry before re-coating. Let everything dry overnight before moving the doors to paint the other side.

Step 7: Sanding after the first coat

Sanding after each coat of paint provides a smooth surface for the next coat. Use your medium 300-400 grit sandpaper to erase brush strokes or roller marks. If any filled-in holes are visible, patch and sand them again to make sure they blend in. Wipe all cabinet surfaces with a damp rag to remove dust, and again with the tack cloth so everything is super clean for the final coat.

Step 8: Paint the final coat

By now, your painting skills will be top notch – it’s time to tackle the final coat of paint! Your cabinets may look great after the first coat, but a second coat provides complete coverage and builds paint thickness for a protective coating. Check the instructions on your cans of paint to make sure the paint has dried the required number of hours for re-coating. Then use the brush and roller to apply the last coat. Be sure to allow sufficient drying time before moving the doors to paint the reverse side.

Step 9: Let cabinets dry thoroughly

We know you’re excited to put the kitchen back together! But this isn’t the time to rush. Paint may feel dry to the touch, but it needs the full drying time to develop a durable finish (and not stick during installation). Let everything dry in your work area for at least 24 hours. While you wait, clean up the drop cloths and supplies and remove the masking tape. Remember, most paint takes a few weeks to fully cure. Handle all doors and drawer fronts carefully and avoid scrubbing until the paint has cured.

Step 10: Reassemble and install hardware

It’s time to enjoy your new kitchen! If you need to drill new holes for new hardware, make a cardboard pattern to help align them correctly. Install the hinges, then hang the doors and replace the drawers. This kitchen island looks fresh and modern with a satin paint finish in Benjamin Moore’s Caribbean Blue Water.

Kitchen cabinets in Gray Owl ADVANCE Interior Paint - Satin, Island in Caribbean Blue water ADVANCE Interior Paint

Where to Buy Kitchen Cabinet Paint

Ring’s End carries ADVANCE paint, as well as a wide selection of Benjamin Moore paints in-store and online, shipping anywhere in the U.S. For more helpful tips on selecting paint colors, check out our guide to Kitchen Color Schemes.