Painting your kitchen cabinets is one of the most budget-friendly ways to transform your kitchen — but it’s also one of the easiest DIY jobs to get wrong. Without the right prep, tools, and process, even high-end paint won’t give you that smooth, factory-finish look.
Whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring help, this guide walks you through how to paint your kitchen cabinets like a pro — from prep to finish.
🧠 Why Cabinets Are Tricky
Kitchen cabinets deal with grease, fingerprints, humidity, and constant use. Painting them isn’t like painting a wall — you’re working on a surface that needs to be durable, smooth, and chip-resistant.
🎯 Professional results don’t come from rushing the job — they come from getting the prep right.
🛠️ Step 1: Remove Doors, Drawers & Hardware
Take it all off:
- Doors
- Drawers
- Handles, knobs, and hinges
Label each door and drawer as you remove it so you can put it back exactly where it came from.
💡 Pro Tip: Put hardware in labeled bags to avoid mixing things up.
🧼 Step 2: Degrease Thoroughly
Kitchen cabinets attract a surprising amount of oil and residue — even if they look clean.
- Use a degreaser like TSP substitute or Krud Kutter
- Scrub all surfaces (especially around handles and above the stove)
- Rinse and dry completely
✅ Skipping this step = paint failure. Grease repels paint and primer.
🧽 Step 3: Lightly Sand All Surfaces
You don’t need to sand down to bare wood — just enough to scuff the surface and help the primer stick.
- Use 120–150 grit sandpaper or a sanding sponge
- Don’t forget edges, molding, and recessed panels
- Wipe off all dust with a tack cloth or damp rag
🧠 Laminate or slick cabinets? Use a bonding primer and scuff well for adhesion.
🧱 Step 4: Fill Dents, Scratches, or Grain
For a smooth, professional finish:
- Fill holes or cracks with wood filler or spackle
- Consider using grain filler if your cabinets are oak and you want a modern, smooth look
- Sand smooth again before priming
✅ Don’t forget to spot-fill nail holes and dings on doors and drawer fronts.
🧪 Step 5: Prime Properly
Choose a high-bonding, stain-blocking primer. Good options include:
- Zinsser BIN Shellac-Based Primer
- Kilz Adhesion Primer
- Benjamin Moore Stix
Apply primer with:
- A quality brush for corners and details
- A 4–6″ foam roller or mini microfiber roller for flat surfaces
Let dry fully and sand lightly before painting.
🎨 Step 6: Choose the Right Paint
Cabinet paint needs to be durable, scrubbable, and self-leveling for that smooth, professional finish.
Top choices:
- Acrylic-Alkyd Hybrid Paints (like Benjamin Moore Advance or Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane)
- Enamel Cabinet Paints (hard-drying, minimal brush marks)
Sheen:
- Satin or semi-gloss is ideal for durability and easy cleaning.
✅ Do not use wall paint — it won’t hold up to kitchen use.
🖌️ Step 7: Apply Paint Like a Pro
Tools:
- Angled brush for edges
- Foam roller or fine microfiber roller for flat panels
- Use a sprayer if you want the smoothest possible finish (optional)
Technique:
- Thin, even coats — don’t overload your brush or roller
- Let dry completely between coats (usually 6–16 hours depending on paint)
- Lightly sand between coats with 220-grit for ultra-smooth finish
Apply 2–3 coats for full coverage and durability.
⏳ Step 8: Let It Cure — Don’t Rush It
Most cabinet paints are dry to the touch in hours, but take 7–30 days to fully cure. During this time:
- Avoid slamming doors or overloading drawers
- Don’t reinstall hardware until paint is fully dry
- Be gentle — full durability builds gradually
🎯 Rushing this step is a top reason DIY cabinet jobs fail.
🔧 Optional: Upgrade Your Hardware
Painting your cabinets is the perfect time to:
- Switch to modern handles or knobs
- Use a hardware template for perfect hole placement
- Fill and redrill holes if you’re changing styles
Fresh hardware = big impact.
🧠 Key Takeaways
- Prep is everything: Degrease, sand, prime — don’t skip steps!
- Use high-quality primer and cabinet-grade paint
- Apply in thin, even coats and allow full dry/cure time
- Label everything and stay organized from start to finish
- Be patient — the best results come from letting each layer set properly
📕 This Article Was Brought to You By…
Know the Natives Plant Guide
Okay, it’s not about paint — but if you’re into DIY, beautiful design, and long-term home improvement, you’ll love this guide to native gardening done right.
👉 Every copy supports more practical homeowner content like this.
📖 Grab your copy here »
