How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets
Painting cabinets is the cheapest way to make a tired kitchen look new — but rushed cabinet paint chips off in months. Real prep is what makes it stick.
Safety firstSkip degreaser and primer at your peril. Kitchen cabinets are coated in cooking residue that paint won't bond to until it's removed.
What You'll Need
- Screwdriver
- Degreaser (TSP or equivalent)
- 220-grit sandpaper / sanding sponge
- High-bond primer
- Cabinet enamel or alkyd paint
- Foam roller and angled brush
- Painter's tape
Step-by-Step
- Remove doors and hardwareTake off every door and drawer front, plus all knobs, pulls, and hinges. Label each one with painter's tape so it goes back in the same spot.
- Degrease everythingScrub all surfaces with TSP or a strong degreaser, then wipe with clean water. Let dry fully.
- Lightly sandScuff every surface with 220-grit so primer has something to bite. You're dulling, not stripping.
- Vacuum and tackVacuum the dust and wipe with a tack cloth. Even one missed spot will show up as bumps.
- PrimeRoll and brush a coat of high-bond primer onto every surface you'll paint. Tint the primer toward your final color for better coverage.
- Sand between coatsLight scuff with 220-grit after the primer dries. Vacuum and tack again.
- Apply two thin coats of paintBrush corners and details, then roll faces with a foam roller for a smooth finish. Let each coat fully cure before the next.
- Reinstall after full cureWait at least 24–48 hours (longer is better) before rehanging doors. Add felt bumpers to keep paint from sticking to itself.
If you don't think you can do it, let our experts help.