Paint can do wonders to spruce up a room, and painting can be a relatively easy project as long as you use the right tools and techniques. So, how do you go about painting your cabinets? And what kind of paint should you use?
Acrylic latex-based paint is best for cabinets since it’s easy to clean and durable. Start by removing any hardware, cleaning the surfaces, sanding, and priming. Then, apply the paint. Use a brush or roller designed for latex paint and a paint sprayer for the best results.
Let’s take a closer look at choosing the right paint for your cabinets, the supplies you’ll need, and how to prep your cabinets before painting. Then we’ll walk through painting your cabinets step by step. Finally, you’ll find out how long your cabinets need to dry before you can use them again.
How to Prep Your Cabinets for Painting
Before you paint your cabinets, you need to do some prep work to ensure that the paint will stick and that your cabinets will look their best.
First, decide where you’ll do the work. The garage is probably the best place to do this project since it’s well ventilated and has a concrete floor that’s easy to clean.
If you’ll be working inside your home, prepare the area by covering the floors and counters with rosin paper (on Amazon), plastic sheeting, or drop cloths to protect them from paint fumes and drips. Tape these down so that they don’t slip while you’re working.
You’ll also want to cover any windows and fixed appliances in the room as well as interior doorways leading to other rooms to keep dust and fumes from spreading throughout your home.
Now that your work area is protected, follow these steps to prep your cabinets for painting:
- Empty the cabinets and remove all the hardware, including knobs, pulls, and hinges. Label each piece as you remove it, so that you’ll know exactly where it goes when it’s time to reassemble your cabinets.
- Inspect the condition of the cabinets. If they’re in good condition, you can paint right over them. However, if they’re not in great shape, you’ll need to strip the old paint before painting.
- If you’re stripping the paint, do so now. Follow the instructions on your chosen product and let it sit for the recommended time. Then use a plastic scraper to remove the paint.
- Clean the cabinets with a degreaser like TSP (on Amazon) to remove grease, grime, or any residue from the paint stripper.
- Sand the cabinets with 120-grit sandpaper to create a smooth surface for the fresh paint to adhere to. On flat areas, use an oscillating sander, and on grooves or other textured areas, use a sanding sponge by hand.
- After sanding the cabinets, wipe them with a damp cloth to remove dust.
- Prime the cabinets with a stain-blocking primer (on Amazon) to prevent any bleed-through of the old paint color and provide a good surface for the new paint to adhere to.
- Once the primer is dry, sand the cabinets again with 220-grit sandpaper to remove imperfections and create an ultra-smooth surface.
- Wipe the cabinets down one last time with a damp cloth to remove any dust before painting.
Choosing Your Paint
You can use two main types of paint on cabinets: oil-based paint and water-based latex paint. Let’s look at each in more detail.
Oil-Based Paint
Oil-based paint is a good choice if you’re painting over an existing finish, such as stained or varnished wood, since it will adhere well to these surfaces.
The downside of oil-based paint is that it requires paint thinner for cleanup and has a strong odor. It’s also only available in smaller sizes, so you may need to buy several cans if you’re painting a lot of cabinets.
Another issue with oil-based paint is that it’s banned in some areas because it releases higher levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. Check with your local government to see if oil-based paint is restricted before you start your project.
Water-Based Paint
Water-based latex paint is easier to work with and has less odor than oil-based paint. It also cleans up with soap and water, so you don’t need special paint thinners.
Latex paint is available in larger sizes, so you can buy it in one-gallon cans instead of multiple quarts. It’s also less expensive than oil-based paint.
The downside of latex paint is that some formulations aren’t as durable as oil-based paint and aren’t ideal for painting cabinets that will see a lot of use, like in a kitchen.
So if you opt for latex paint, look for one that’s a 100 percent acrylic formulation for the best durability and adhesion.
Now that you know the difference between oil-based and water-based paint, you can decide whether you want to use a paintbrush or a paint sprayer.
Paintbrush vs. Paint Sprayer
There are pros and cons to painting with a brush and using a paint sprayer. Consider your skill level, the type of paint you’re using, and the look you want to achieve before making your decision.
While spraying the paint is faster, there’s a learning curve to using a paint sprayer. You’ll also need to rent or buy a paint sprayer, which can be expensive.
Practice on some scrap wood before painting your cabinets. Otherwise, you may end up with paint drips and an uneven finish.
If you choose to paint with a brush, purchase high-quality brushes. They may be more expensive, but they will save you time in the long run by giving you a smoother finish and fewer strokes.
You’ll want a set that includes a 3 to 4-inch-wide square brush for painting large, flat areas and an angled brush that’s 2½ or 3 inches wide for painting in the corners and around moulding.
Choose synthetic bristle brushes for latex paint and natural bristle brushes for oil-based paint.
You can also use a paint roller if you want to use something other than a brush. Paint rollers will give you an more even finish than brushes, but they can be harder to maneuver around the small cabinet doors and drawers.
Supplies You’ll Need
Before getting started, gather all the supplies for the job. Besides paint and primer, you’ll need these tools:
- Shop Vacuum: Use a shop vacuum, like this one from Armor All (on Amazon), to remove any sanding dust before painting.
- Drill/Driver & Bits: You may need a drill to remove cabinet knobs, pulls, and other hardware before painting, so that you don’t accidentally paint over them.
- Buckets: Use buckets to mix TSP for degreasing and cleaning your brushes and roller covers after you finish painting.
- Paint Roller Frames & Foam Covers: Use a microfiber roller cover to apply primer and paint evenly for a smooth finish.
- Paint Sprayer (Optional): If you’re using a paint sprayer, you’ll need an HVLP (High Volume Low Pressure) sprayer instead of a standard airless sprayer.
An HVLP sprayer, like this one from HomeRight (on Amazon) uses a high-pressure pump to atomize the paint into a fine mist, making it easy to apply an even coat without brushstrokes. - Dust Mask/Painting Safety Mask: Wear a dust or painting safety mask to avoid breathing in paint fumes.
- Putty Knife: Use a putty knife to remove stubborn old paint or varnish from the cabinets.
- Paint Brushes: Use a 3- to 4-inch-wide brush for painting large, flat surfaces and a 2½- or 3-inch-wide angled smaller areas.
- Rubber Gloves: Wear rubber gloves while cleaning the cabinets with TSP or degreaser.
- Eye Protection: Wear safety glasses or goggles to protect your eyes from paint fumes and dust.
- Work Gloves: Wear work gloves to protect your hands while sanding.
- Screwdrivers: Use a screwdriver to remove the cabinet hardware if you won’t be using a drill.
- Sponges: Use sponges to clean the cabinets with TSP.
You’ll also need the following materials:
- Plastic Sheeting: Cover the floor and any nearby surfaces with plastic sheeting to protect them from paint drips.
- Painter’s Tape: Tape off any areas you don’t want to paint, such as drawer interiors or cabinet hardware, with painter’s tape.
- TSP (Trisodium Phosphate) or Degreaser: Clean the cabinets with TSP to remove any grease or grime.
- 120 and 220-grit Sandpaper: For better paint adhesion, sand the cabinets lightly with 120-grit sandpaper. Then, switch to 220-grit sandpaper and sand again until the cabinets are smooth.
- Sealable Plastic Bags: Place the hardware in sealable plastic bags to prevent losing any small pieces, and label the bags, so you know where they go.
You can also place the roller covers in sealable plastic bags between coats to keep them from drying out. - Shop Towels: Use shop towels to wipe up any drips or errors while painting.
- Paint Tray and Liners: Use a paint tray and liners to hold the paint while working.
How to Paint Wood Cabinets
Now that your cabinets are clean and primed, and you have all your tools and materials, you’re ready to paint.
- Begin by painting the cabinet frames, using even strokes with a brush or foam roller. Use a thin coat of paint to avoid drips and decrease the drying time.
- Paint the cabinet drawers, doors, and hardware. Work from the inside out. Use a small brush to get into corners and detailed areas.
- If you’re using a paint sprayer, begin by painting the cabinet frames. Use even strokes and finish each stroke before moving on to the next section. Overlap each stroke slightly to avoid any bare spots.
- Let the paint dry based on the manufacturer’s instructions before applying a second coat to the cabinet pieces and frame.
- Allow the paint to cure before replacing the hardware and reinstalling the cabinets.
How Long Do Your Cabinets Need to Dry?
Cabinets can feel dry to the touch within 24 hours. But it can take two or three weeks before the paint fully cures.
This curing process is crucial, as it ensures that the paint won’t chip or peel. Give your cabinets time to properly dry and cure before using them.
Wait at least 48 hours before replacing hardware or using the cabinets, and try not to slam or scrape the doors for the first week.
To speed up the curing process, you can use a dehumidifier to remove extra moisture and humidity from the air, which can help the paint dry and cure quicker. Keep the dehumidifier away from the cabinets so that it doesn’t blow any dust onto the wet paint.