Painting kitchen cabinets isn’t as hard as you might think. Transforming your cabinets and cupboards into your dream color can actually become an enjoyable task. Nowadays, many homeowners successfully paint their kitchen cabinets on their own. If you’re considering giving it a try, feel confident and get started! In this guide, we’ll list the paint and materials you need and explain the easiest way to paint kitchen cabinets step by step.
How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets
Before you begin, it’s essential to understand that kitchen cabinets are made from various materials. While most cabinets can be painted, glossy or smooth surfaces require extra care. If your cabinets are MDF or have a lacquer finish instead of raw wood, sanding or applying a primer first will improve the outcome.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to paint kitchen cabinets using acrylic paint, spray paint, and oil-based paint, detailing each method for the best possible finish. Before you start painting the kitchen, remember to cover the countertops, floors, and nearby surfaces with a drop cloth or plastic to protect them from paint splatters. “Related: how to change the color of kitchen cabinets without painting“
Can You Paint Kitchen Cabinets
Yes, you can paint kitchen cabinets yourself, regardless of their previous paint or coating. Even if you have no prior painting experience, you can join the thousands of people who have successfully painted their kitchen cabinets. The key is following the right method and using the correct materials during the painting process.
What to Paint Kitchen Cabinets With
What kind of paint should you use for kitchen cabinets? Kitchen cabinets are typically painted with furniture paint or lacquer during the manufacturing process. They can also be produced by laminating raw wood.
For home use, you can paint your kitchen cabinets with acrylic paint, oil-based paint, or spray paint. Of course, you want your newly painted cabinets to remain durable, don’t you? That’s why it’s important to use the right type of paint, the proper materials, and take your time to do the job carefully. Here are the types of paint you can use for painting kitchen cabinets at home:
- Acrylic Paint: The most commonly used paint for kitchen cabinets is acrylic paint. Its best features are that it doesn’t produce strong odors and dries quickly, making it the top choice for painting kitchen cabinets at home.
- Spray Paint: Spray paint can also be used to paint kitchen cabinets. It dries very quickly and is ideal for quick projects. However, excess spray paint can drip on surfaces, creating uneven layers. You can find detailed instructions for using spray paint on kitchen cabinets at the end of this page.
- Oil-Based Paint: Some people use oil-based paint for kitchen cabinets. While it is durable, the strong odor can be unpleasant indoors and may linger for days. Additionally, roller marks may remain on the cabinet surfaces when using oil-based paint. “Related: oil or water based paint.”
How do You Paint Kitchen Cabinets with Acrylic Paint
The most commonly used paint for repainting kitchen cabinets is acrylic paint. That’s why we want to start by explaining how to paint kitchen cabinets with acrylic paint. Later on, you’ll find steps for painting cabinets with spray paint and oil-based paint.
Supplies Checklist
- 2.5 liters of acrylic paint
- 1 liter of water-based varnish
- 220-grit sandpaper
- 1 small short-nap roller with extra covers
- 2-inch brush
- Cleaning cloth
How to Prep Kitchen Cabinets for Painting?
Before you begin painting the kitchen cabinets, make sure to empty them, remove the handles, and sand the surfaces for better paint adhesion. Also, remember to protect your countertops, floors, and surrounding areas by covering them with a drop cloth or plastic to prevent paint splatters. Additionally, applying a primer is a great way to ensure a smooth and long-lasting finish.
1. Empty and Clean the Cabinets
Before painting, it’s essential to clean the surface for better paint and primer adhesion. Empty the cabinets and wipe them down with a vinegar-water solution, then dry thoroughly. If there are grease stains, you may need a specialized cleaner to remove them.
2. Prime or Sand the Surface
Priming or sanding the cabinets ensures the paint adheres properly. You can choose either option based on your preference. If you decide to use primer, make sure it matches the type of paint you’ll be using. For sanding, use 200- or 220-grit sandpaper. Sanding coated cabinets can be challenging, so consider using or renting a sanding machine for ease.
3. Allow Primer to Dry
If you’ve primed the cabinets, allow the primer to dry completely. Water-based primers take about 5 hours, oil-based primers 24 hours, and spray primers around 30 minutes. If you only sanded, wipe off the dust with a clean cloth and proceed to painting right away.
4. Apply the First Coat of Paint
Start painting the first coat. Use a small short-nap roller for flat surfaces and a 2-inch brush for corners and detailed areas.
5. Let the First Coat Dry
Before applying the second coat, allow the first coat to dry completely. This ensures better coverage, faster drying for the next layer, and helps eliminate odors quickly.
6. Apply the Second Coat
The second coat is the most crucial step, as it is usually the final layer. To avoid streaks, use high-quality rollers and brushes and apply the paint carefully for a smooth finish.
7. Wait for the Second Coat to Dry
Before using the cabinets or placing items back inside, let the second coat dry completely. Otherwise, the paint may peel, scratch, or develop black stains.
8. Seal with Varnish for Durability
After painting, applying varnish is important to protect the paint from scratches and make cleaning easier. If you’ve used acrylic or chalk paint, a water-based clear varnish is a great choice for long-lasting protection.
How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets with Sprayer or Spray Paint
Using a sprayer or spray paint is the fastest way to paint kitchen cabinets. However, it’s crucial to use a good sprayer to avoid creating uneven layers of paint. While painting with a sprayer or spray paint is quick, it does require some experience. If you’re not careful, dripping spray paint may force you to sand and restart the entire process.
For this reason, we recommend using a sprayer or spray paint only if you’re experienced with these tools. Another disadvantage of spray painting is that the harmful fumes can linger in your home for a long time, which makes wearing a mask essential when using a sprayer. After painting your kitchen cabinets with spray paint, it’s also important to thoroughly ventilate the space. If you’re thinking about painting kitchen cabinets with spray paint, here are the steps
- Apply a coat of spray primer and wait about 30 minutes for it to dry.
- Apply the first coat of spray paint and wait about 30 minutes for it to dry.
- After applying the second coat of spray paint, wait another 30 minutes and then apply a spray varnish.
Painting Kitchen Cabinets with Oil-Based Paint
The best thing about painting kitchen cabinets with oil-based paints is that you don’t need a primer or varnish. However, oil-based paint dries slowly, so you need to wait at least 24 hours between coats. Additionally, the odor of oil-based paint lingers for a long time. “Related: how to apply enamel paint.”
How to paint kitchen cabinets white?
The best way to paint kitchen cabinets white is by using a primer. This allows you to easily cover the old color of the cabinets and paint them white. “Related: what color walls go with white kitchen cabinets“
Can I just paint over my kitchen cabinets?
You can paint raw kitchen cabinets with no finish, those that have a non-shiny and non-slippery surface, directly.
What kind of paint to use on kitchen cabinets?
You can paint your kitchen cabinets with general-purpose acrylic paint, chalk paint, spray paint, or oil-based paint.
Do you have to sand cabinets before painting?
You don’t have to sand when painting kitchen cabinets. However, if you don’t plan on sanding, you should use a primer.
Is it better to spray or brush paint kitchen cabinets?
Spray painting kitchen cabinets allows for a quick application. However, painting the cabinets and shelves with a brush and roller will result in a thicker layer of paint, making it more durable.
What is the downside of painting cabinets?
A disadvantage of painting kitchen cabinets is that the paint can peel off. The surfaces of the cabinets that are frequently used may wear out more easily, and you may need to repaint them. To prevent this, you can apply a varnish after painting the kitchen cabinets.
What happens if you paint kitchen cabinets without sanding?
If you paint the kitchen cabinets without sanding, they won’t be resistant to impact and friction, and the paint may peel off quickly.
What is the best primer to use on kitchen cabinets?
The best primer to use before painting the kitchen cabinets is one of the same type. If you can’t find the same type of primer, you can use a general-purpose primer. “Related: do you need to primer.”
Can I paint my kitchen cabinets without taking them down?
Generally, you can paint kitchen cabinets without removing them. However, if you’re thinking of using spray paint, we recommend removing them.
Do you have to strip kitchen cabinets before painting?
If the old paint on the kitchen cabinets is peeling, you should sand it and smooth out any uneven areas with filler. Then, you should apply primer and paint in that order.
What is the easiest way to paint kitchen cabinets?
The easiest way to paint kitchen cabinets without removing them is by using general-purpose acrylic paints. These paints are easy to use and dry quickly. Additionally, if you apply an acrylic varnish after it dries, the paint will last longer.
What kind of paint is best for kitchen cabinets?
Satin or matte general-purpose acrylic paints are the best for painting kitchen cabinets. They don’t leave roller marks easily and are easy to apply.
