Cabinet painting question

Dorene Barnes
by Dorene Barnes
Some of my kitchen cabinets need painting but I want to keep this look. What need to be done and what type of paint.
  8 answers
  • Ro Pettiner Ro Pettiner on Mar 09, 2018

    White is in and very trendy right now. Get a good primer applied, after sanding lightly, then the best enamel you can find. Most people use a satin finish on kitchen cabinets. Two coats of paint. Finish with one coat of polyurethane product to help hold up to wear. Hardware should be removed before the painting starts. This will help your white appliances blend in too.

  • Julie  McCuiston Julie McCuiston on Mar 09, 2018

    Are you wanting to change the finish with paint or are you wanting to refresh some of the stain on some of the cabinets?

  • Cindy Hagemann Cindy Hagemann on Mar 09, 2018

    There are lots of options out there for paint, I have had the best lasting finish with oil-based primer and paint. Clean cabinets to remove any grease and fingerprints. Remove hardware, doors, and drawers (label them with tape to put them back in the same place). Sand them with an electric palm sander. Using a small roller and good brush, prime them with Kilz primer (again, I use oil based – but you can use latex) at least one coat, maybe two. Paint with your choice of color paint, applying one thin coat at a time and lightly sanding in between each coat with a fine grit sandpaper. You will need at least two coats of paint, perhaps even three. Do not paint in cold weather, be sure to let each thin coat dry completely before applying the next. Repeat the same process on the cabinets on the wall. Buy new hinges or knobs/pulls, or paint them using spray paint for metal. Let wood dry at least 24 hours before putting doors back on – using the labels to put them in the correct original place. This is a big job and will take time to get it right, spending your money on good paint and good brushes are well worth the investment. Best of luck!

  • Lori Lori on Mar 10, 2018

    If you are wanting to keep the same look. Find the stain that matches and get the wood grain tool to make them like the others. I sanded all of mine and painted them a cream white color. Sure brightened our small kitchen.


  • Denise McGourley Gehrand Denise McGourley Gehrand on Mar 10, 2018

    Home Depot and Lowes sells a two step cabinet paint. Anything else will chip like crazy

  • Shore grandmom Shore grandmom on Mar 10, 2018

    If you want to change the color some or keep the color and just refinish it, I've heard that Java gel stain works good. I haven't used it myself, but you might want to look in to it.


    https://generalfinishes.com/wood-finishes-retail/oil-based-wood-stains-sealers/oil-based-gel-stains

  • C C on Mar 10, 2018

    If you want to keep the look, why not change the countertop and backsplash instead?