What is the proper procedure for painting over kitchen cabinets?

Would need to sand down the surface first especially if there is a coating. This surface abrasion will help the paint to adhere better. A sander is ideal but failing that use sandpaper and go through rough to smooth grades. Be a shame to cover up the wood though and maybe just a sand down and revarnish?

Hello Marcie! Hometalk has a number of suggestions to update those kitchen cabinets. Check them out to see what works best to meet your needs. There is no "one size fits all."

http://www.hometalk.com/categories/painting-techniques/interior/kitchen-cabinets

A lot depends upon what type of paint you would like to use. Any application requires a good cleaning with a grease cutter first (krudkutter works well or TSP). Remove all hardware. if using a regular paint you will have to sand everything to get any remaining finish off. Fill any holes etc with wood filler and sand smooth. It is best to use a good quality primer prior to painting. If you decide to use a chalk type paint, you can avoid the stripping of the old finish, but you will have to either wax after painting or use a few coats of a polycrylic sealer. I wanted a non distressed look on my cupboards and so did 3 coats of chalk paint with 3 coats of polycrylic.

1. Disassemble doors from cabinets

2. Remove hinges and knob (clean or replace)

3. Sand doors and frames

4. Wash and Wipe dry with cloth or rag

5. Prime all doors and cabinet frames

6. Paint in layers to avoid strokes and drip bubbles in dried product.

7. Check quality and touch up as necessary (miss any spots? Need another layer? Did paint bubble form and you need to sand and repaint spot?)

8. Reassemble hardware to doors and doors to cabinets

Presto! Painted cabinets!

Milk paint. Is a great primer.. always you always use the same color as I'm going to paint the cabinets. Milk paint helps the new paint adhere without having to sand and I find it works better than primer