How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets (Plus, Everything You'll Need)
Cabinets are the center of any kitchen. They’re the first thing that catches a visitor’s eye and you spend much of your day opening and closing them, coming face to face with whatever stain, paint, or finish you’ve got. That’s why, if you’re looking to give your kitchen a new face and a new feeling, painting your kitchen cabinets is your best, budget-friendly option, and it’s actually pretty doable, even for a beginner.
Though this isn’t a full renovation, there are a few things to know before taking on the project of painting kitchen cabinets. First, there are a few materials you’ll want to make sure you have on hand before you begin.Along with supplies like paint and sealer, you’ll want to make sure you have the best tools to get the job done without any hiccups.
Supply List
- 220-grit sandpaper sheets
- Medium-grit sanding block
- Caulk
- Caulk Gun
- Bondo
- Krud Kutter - Krud Kutter, or a similar product, is needed for wiping down your cabinets and cleaning away any grease or food remnants before you begin sanding and painting.
- Tack Cloth
- Painter’s Tape
- Drill
or Screwdriver
- Vacuum and hose attachments
- Primer
- Acrylic-latex paint (or specifically cabinet paint) in your color of choice
- Paintbrush
- Mini Rollers
- Mini Paint Roller Tray
- Plastic sandwich bags
Tips
- Once you take the handles and hinges off of your cabinets, make sure to put them in labeled plastic bags to keep them together.
- If you’re trying to take off a previous paint or finish, you’ll need to start with a coarser sandpaper and work your way to 220-grit.
- If you don’t want to buy a sanding block, wrap a piece of sandpaper over a block of scrap wood and make your own.
- Use the smaller hose attachments on your vacuum cleaner to rid any lingering dust that might stick in the corner and creases of your cabinet doors and ruin your smooth finish.
- Caulk the seams where any molding meets the flat area of your cabinets before your prime and paint, to create a smooth, gap-free finish.
- If you have scratches in your cabinets, you can fill them in with Bondo before you begin painting.
- When priming and painting, use your brush to paint into the corners and edges of your cabinet doors, and then cover the flat surfaces using your roller to reduce streaks.
- For painting cabinets, you’ll need a paint that is strong enough to withstand the oils from hands opening and closing them, food debris and splashes, and other heavy usage. Many people opt for standard interior acrylic-latex for their cabinets, but there are some special brands meant specifically for your cabinets.
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?