This guide will teach you everything you need to know, from picking the best paint to getting a super smooth finish. We’ll break it down into simple steps so you can feel confident and ready to get started.
Why Is Painting Kitchen Cabinets Different?
Painting kitchen cabinets is not like painting a wall [2]. Walls don’t get touched very often, but your cabinets are used all the time. People open them with wet hands, they get splattered with food, and they have to stand up to a lot of use [3, 4]. This means you need a special kind of paint that is super strong and durable [5]. It has to be able to handle being scrubbed and wiped down over and over again [3]. Regular wall paint just won’t be tough enough [1].
Choosing the Right Paint: The Three Main Types
1. Water-Based Alkyd Paint
This is a great choice for painting cabinets [5]. Think of it as a mix between old-school oil paint and new water-based paint. It has the best parts of both [5].
Pros (Good Things):
- Goes on Smoothly: It levels out on its own, which means it helps hide brush marks and gives you a smooth, professional-looking finish [5].
- Super Durable: It dries to a very hard, tough surface that resists scratches and chips [7].
- Easy to Clean Up: You can clean your brushes with soap and water, which is much easier than using special chemicals [8].
- Less Smell: It has less of a strong smell, or “odor,” than oil-based paints [3].
Cons (Bad Things):
2. Acrylic Latex Paint
This is the most common type of paint you’ll find [7]. It’s water-based and has gotten a lot better over the years, with new formulas being much tougher than they used to be [6].
Pros (Good Things):
- Dries Quickly: It dries fast, which can help you finish your project in less time [6].
- Easy to Clean Up: Just like alkyd paint, you can clean up with soap and water [7].
- Low Smell: It has a low amount of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which are the chemicals that make paint smell bad [6].
- Sticks to Old Paint: If your cabinets are already painted, a good acrylic latex paint will stick well to the old paint [6].
Cons (Bad Things):
- Not as Hard: It’s usually not as hard or as durable as alkyd paint [7].
- Might Need More Prep: You may need to do more work to get the surface ready for the paint to stick [6].
Tip: If you choose this type, make sure you buy a high-quality acrylic latex paint that is made for trim and cabinets, not just for walls [7].
3. Oil-Based Paint
This used to be the only choice for cabinets because it was so tough [3]. However, it has some big downsides [6].
Pros (Good Things):
- Very Hard Finish: It dries to a very hard, smooth surface that is easy to wipe clean [3].
- Hides Brush Marks: It’s very thick and smooths out well, so you won’t see many brush marks [5].
Cons (Bad Things):
- Strong, Bad Smell: It has a very strong smell from all the VOCs, which can be irritating [6].
- Takes a Long Time to Dry: It takes a long time to dry between coats [7].
- Hard to Clean Up: You need a special chemical, like paint thinner, to clean up [8].
- Can Turn Yellow: Over time, especially in places without a lot of sunlight, it can start to turn a yellowish color [6].
- Summary: Most professionals agree that water-based alkyd paint is the best choice for DIY painters because it gives you a smooth, strong finish with easy cleanup [5].
Picking the Right Shine: The “Finish” of Your Paint
The “finish” or “sheen” of your paint is how shiny it looks when it’s dry [3]. This is a very important choice for your cabinets [9].
Matte or Flat
This has no shine at all [1]. It can look very modern, but it’s not a good choice for cabinets because it’s hard to clean and can get stained easily [3].
Eggshell
This has a tiny bit of shine, like an eggshell [1]. It’s still not shiny enough for cabinets and is better for walls [3].
Satin
This is a very popular choice for cabinets [5]. It has a soft, low shine that looks elegant and hides small bumps or mistakes [3]. It is also easy to clean [9].
Semi-Gloss
This is also a very popular choice [9]. It has more shine than satin and is very durable and easy to clean [9]. It reflects more light, which can make your kitchen look brighter and cleaner [9].
High-Gloss
This is the shiniest option, like a mirror [1]. It’s the most durable and easiest to clean [9]. However, it shows every single bump, scratch, or mistake on the cabinet, so you have to do a perfect job of getting the surface ready [3].
Best choice
Most people pick satin or semi-gloss for their kitchen cabinets [3, 9].
The Most Important Part: Getting Ready to Paint!
You can have the best paint in the world, but if you don’t prepare your cabinets correctly, your paint job will fail [5, 10].
Clear Everything Out
Take everything out of your cabinets and off your counters [10].
Take Everything Apart
Use a screwdriver to take off all the doors, drawers, and hardware [10]. Put the screws and hinges for each door in a separate, labeled bag or cup so you know where they go when you put them back [2, 10].
Label, Label, Label!
Use painter’s tape to label each door and drawer so you know exactly where it goes [2, 10].
Clean, Clean, Clean!
Kitchen cabinets have years of grease and grime on them, and paint will not stick to a greasy surface [4]. Use a degreaser or warm soapy water to clean every surface, then rinse and dry completely [10].
Sand the Surfaces
Once clean, lightly sand the surfaces so the new primer has something to stick to [2, 11]. Medium-grit (100–150) works for the first sanding. Wipe away dust [2].
Fix Any Bumps or Dents
Use wood filler for dents or holes, then sand smooth [4].
The Best Primers and Why You Need Them
Primer is a special paint that goes on before your color [2]. It’s like glue that helps your new paint stick [2].
Why Primer is a Must
- Helps paint stick to glossy surfaces [12].
- Blocks stains and tannin bleed-through [12].
- Creates a smooth, even base for paint [12].
Recommended Primers
- Sherwin-Williams Extreme Bond Primer [8].
- KILZ 3 Premium [12].
- Zinsser B-I-N Shellac-Based Primer [12].
How to Apply Primer
Painting Your Cabinets: The Fun Part!
- Stir Paint Well: Mix thoroughly before applying [8].
- First Coat: Brush edges/corners, then roll flat parts with a foam roller [2, 15].
- Work Quickly: Don’t over-brush water-based paints—they dry fast [11].
- Dry Completely: Wait before sanding or recoating [2].
- Sand Again: Use 220-grit for smoothness before the next coat [2].
- Second Coat: Apply just like the first [2].
- Extra Coats: Some colors may need three coats [11].
A Few More Tips for a Professional-Looking Job
A Final Word on Your Project
References
- Coohom. “Best Paint Brands for Kitchen Cabinets – Quality & Durability.” https://www.coohom.com/article/best-paint-brands-for-kitchen-cabinets
- Benjamin Moore. “How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets Like an Expert in 9 Steps.” https://cardinalhomecenter.com/painting-kitchen-cabinets-made-easy-a-diy-guide/
- The Spruce. “How to Choose the Best Paint for Your Kitchen Cabinets.” https://www.thespruce.com/outdated-kitchen-cabinet-colors-11796281
- Lowe’s. “How to Prep and Paint Kitchen Cabinets.” https://www.lowes.com/n/how-to/how-to-paint-kitchen-cabinets
- The Spruce. “Types of Paint for Kitchen Cabinets.” https://www.thespruce.com/types-of-paint-for-kitchen-cabinets-4686963
- Southern Living. “How To Choose The Best Paint For Kitchen Cabinets: 4 Tips.” https://www.southernliving.com/best-paint-for-kitchen-cabinets-6530262
- Shelf Genie. “Choosing the Best Paint for Kitchen Cabinets Based on Wood Type.” https://www.shelfgenie.com/blog/tips-tricks/best-type-of-paint-for-kitchen-cabinets/
- Sherwin-Williams. “How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets in 5 Steps.” https://farmhouseishblog.com/painting-kitchen-cabinets/
- Legacy Cabinets. “How to Choose the Right Cabinet Finish for Your Home.” https://www.legacycabinets.com/how-to-choose-the-right-cabinet-finish-for-your-home/
- Indigo Paints. “Step-by-Step Guide to Painting Kitchen Cabinets Like a Pro.” https://indigopaints.com/blog/step-by-step-guide-to-painting-kitchen-cabinets-like-a-pro/
- Frugal Mum. “How to paint your kitchen cupboards – a step-by-step guide!” https://upvcspraypainters.com/learn/guides/how-to-paint-kitchen-cupboards/
- This Old House. “The Best Primer and Paint To Transform Kitchen Cabinets.” https://www.thisoldhouse.com/painting/21289881/best-primer-and-paint-for-kitchen-cabinets
- Reddit. “Any secret tips for DIY kitchen cabinet painting to look more professional?” https://www.reddit.com/r/Homebuilding/comments/1il3jwq/any_secret_tips_for_diy_kitchen_cabinet_painting/
- YouTube. “The BEST Primer For Kitchen Cabinets – My #1 Choice!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRLlki3iBhc
- The Grit and Polish. “DIY // How to Paint Cabinets by Hand.” https://lemonandbloom.com/painting-cabinets-the-right-way/