How do I paint my kitchen cabinets flawlessly?
Mia Kelly
Published Jan 22, 2026
Apply a coat of high-quality primer to all surfaces of the cabinets. The point of using a primer is to ensure that the paint sticks to the surface better, which will result in a long-lasting finish. What is this? Let the primer dry overnight, then carefully flip the drawers and doors over and repeat the process.
How do I prevent brush marks when painting cabinets?
Try to limit brush marks by painting with the grain of the wood. While on the trim boards, using the foam roller and brush paint only one side of drawers and doors. Next, using the same brush and foam roller apply a coat of Cabinet Enamel to the base cabinets. DRY OVERNIGHT and clean your brush.
Should you paint cabinets with a brush or roller?
Cabinet Painting with a Roller & a Brush
On the fronts and backs of drawers and doors, you can use a roller. This will apply the paint in a more smooth and even manner and is much faster than only using a paint brush. Then, use a brush for touching up small areas or for hard-to-reach spots.
How can I paint my kitchen cabinets without streaks?
If your cabinets are stained, apply at least two coats of quality primer. For me, there's nothing better than BIN, Zinsser's shellac-based pigmented primer. It dries fast and flat, without brush marks (unlike most oil-based primers). You can buy it at home and hardware stores, as well as online (view on Amazon).
Is it better to brush or spray cabinets?
This method is not always the most durable option (spraying cabinet doors usually provides a more durable, even-looking finish), but is recommended for smaller cabinet projects, as it's the most cost-effective option. In fact, brush and roll finish projects will typically save you about 25% off the cost of spraying.
41 related questions foundHow do you paint kitchen cabinets like a pro?
How To Paint Kitchen Cabinets Like A Pro In 9 Steps
- Assess the condition of your kitchen cabinets. ...
- Remove and label the doors and drawer faces. ...
- Put down drop cloths. ...
- Clean the cabinets. ...
- Lightly sand your cabinets. ...
- Prime your kitchen cabinets. ...
- Inspect the primer. ...
- Paint your kitchen cabinets like a pro.
Do you need special paint for kitchen cabinets?
While there are many types of paint to choose from, the best paint for kitchen cabinets is typically semi-gloss, gloss or satin. Matte is not practical in kitchens and baths where you will need durable paint you can easily clean.
Do you need to prime cabinets before painting?
While priming never hurts, whether it's necessary or not is determined by the type of paint (oil or latex) currently on your cabinets and the type you plan to use for repainting. If you're changing the type of paint or painting over natural wood cabinets, then it's important to prime the cabinets first.
How do you paint cabinet doors like a pro?
Let's get to work!
- Step 1: Remove Cabinet Doors & Hardware from Cabinets/Remove Drawers. ...
- Step 2: Sand the Cabinet Doors & Drawer Fronts. ...
- Step 3: Wipe Down Sanded Surfaces. ...
- Step 4: Start Priming! ...
- Step 5: Ready to Paint! ...
- Step 6: Reattach Cabinet Hardware. ...
- Step 7: Reattach Cabinet Doors to Cabinets & Place Drawers.
What grit sandpaper should I use before painting kitchen cabinets?
Once your cabinets are clean and dry, use a 100 or 150-grit sandpaper to roughen up the surface of the cabinets. Cabinet paint won't adhere properly to a smooth or shiny surface. You don't need to completely remove the prior finish, just rough up the surface enough to give the primer something to stick to.
How many coats of paint should you put on kitchen cabinets?
Two coats of paint are essential for cabinets—you're building a surface. By the way, to get the nicest finish, use a brush, a 2- to 2 1/2-inch fine bristle brush. Whatever paint you use, ventilate the room—direct a fan out the window—and wear the masks they sell in paint stores.
What happens if you don't sand cabinets before painting?
If you don't clean before sanding, contaminates (like cooking grease) will be pressed down into the wood. Contaminates will keep the soon be applied paint for sticking. You can remove the doors here in the process or wait until after you wash them down. It is totally up to you and situational dependent.
Is satin or semi gloss better for kitchen cabinets?
While satin finishes tend to be fairly durable in high traffic areas, they're not as durable and versatile as semi-gloss against mildew and mold. Kitchen cabinets in high moisture environments can, therefore, do better with semi-gloss paints.
What kind of roller do you use to paint cabinets?
A small 4” foam roller is best for painting cabinets.
You can also easily use a small roller to smooth out most places you even used a brush to apply cabinet paint. The foam nap also gives you a smoother finish on your cabinets.
What paint roller gives the smoothest finish on cabinets?
Foam rollers, which have a firm sponge-like texture, are ideal for painting cabinets because they provide the smoothest finish. They work best with latex or water-based paint because that type of paint is thinner and more easily absorbed by the sponge-like quality of the foam roller.
How do you remove brush strokes from cabinet paint?
PAINTING CABINETS – when painting kitchen or bathroom cabinets, we suggest that you use a lint free roller to paint the flat surface areas on the cabinets. This helps to reduce any potential for brush strokes.
Can you paint cabinets yourself?
Size Up the Job. Wood, wood-laminate and metal cabinets usually can be repainted without difficulty. Plastic laminate cabinets might not accept a topcoat of paint — those that can be refinished often require special paints and techniques, and results can vary.
Should I sand my cabinets before I paint them?
You should sand cabinets before beginning your how to paint kitchen cabinet project to give the new paint a good surface to grip. But you don't need to sand to bare wood. If your cabinets have a factory finish, sand lightly with 120-grit sandpaper or a sanding sponge.
Is it better to sand or Degloss cabinets?
Deglosser focuses on dulling an old finish. If the older finish is irregular, rough, pitted or scratched, deglosser won't smooth it. Only sandpaper can repair bad surfaces, smoothing them with its abrasive qualities. If your previous finish needs smoothing in any way, sanding is the only way to accomplish it.
Is kilz a good primer for cabinets?
For a kitchen cabinet makeover that is both beautiful and durable, start with KILZ 3™ Premium Primer. This superior sealer-stain blocker provides excellent adhesion and a kitchen-essential mildew resistant primer coating.
What's the best primer to use on kitchen cabinets?
8 best primers for cabinets
- Zinsser B-I-N Shellac-Base Primer. ...
- KILZ Adhesion Interior/Exterior Primer. ...
- Zinsser Bondz Maximum Adhesion Primer. ...
- INSL-X STIX Waterborne Bonding Primer. ...
- Zinsser Cover Stain Interior/Exterior Primer-Sealer & Stain Killer. ...
- KILZ 2 All-Purpose Interior/Exterior Primer.
What is the difference between cabinet paint and regular paint?
The two primary differences between oil-based paint and latex-based paint on kitchen cabinets are final texture and dry time. Oil-based is more traditional and popular with purists who like the “painterly” look of brush marks, while latex gives a more consistent finish.
What paint does Joanna Gaines use on cabinets?
Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines Trim, Door + Cabinetry Interior Paint is a water-based acrylic product designed for surfaces such as kitchen and bathroom cabinets, trim, window frames and doors. It offers the hardness of a traditional oil-based paint in an acrylic formula.
What is a good color to paint kitchen cabinets?
The 7 Best Cabinet Paint Colors for a Happier Kitchen, According to Interior Designers
- White and dark gray. “It's important to keep in mind how much natural light your space gets before deciding on paint colors. ...
- Crisp white. ...
- Understated gray. ...
- Vibrant blue. ...
- White and dark gray. ...
- A slightly off-white white. ...
- Greige.
Is latex paint good for cabinets?
What Kind Of Paint Is Best For Kitchen Cabinets? Despite oil-based paints' reputation for easy application and long-lasting finishes that can be scrubbed and cleaned regularly, latex paint is widely considered the best choice for most kitchen cabinets since it offers lower levels of VOCs and dries faster.