DIY Kitchen Cabinet Painting: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re looking for a cost-effective way to transform your old and outdated kitchen cabinets, paint them! Embrace your inner DIY enthusiast and turn your old, outdated kitchen cabinets into attractive and eye-catching ones. For some, buying new kitchen cabinets might not be possible, but updating old cabinets is a must. So, the idea of painting them is not just excellent but also thrilling and fun. You might be thinking that painting cabinets can be tiring and messy, but when on a limited budget, this makeover is your only option! This article is focused on how to paint kitchen cabinets, a project that will not only save you money but also leave you with a sense of accomplishment and pride in your home. 

Material Required to Paint Kitchen Cabinets 

Degreaser

Use a degreaser to remove all the grease and grime.

TSP cleaner 

After removing grease and grime, a TSP cleaner is required for deeper cleaning of the surface.

Sandpaper

120-grit and 220-grit for smoothing the surface of your cabinet. 

Tack cloth

Once you’ve cleaned the cabinets, a tack cloth is required to remove the dust after sanding. 

Painter’s tape

This tape is required to mask off the areas that you don’t want to paint or want to paint with some other colour. 

Screwdriver

Painting cabinets require you to unscrew all the hardware. So, a screwdriver is a valuable tool. 

Primer

A high-quality bonding primer is for the cabinets.

Paint 

Semi-gloss or high-gloss for durability and high quality paint on cabinets. 

Paintbrushes

Analyze the area and consider the different sizes of brushes you require for different areas. 

Roller

A paint roller for larger surfaces can be used to save time and effort. 

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets

Prep Work

To begin with your DIY kitchen cabinet painting, you need to clean the surface to ensure it can be painted effectively. Rest assured, this process is tried and tested, and it will give you the results you’re looking for. 

Empty the cabinets

The first step in cleaning your cabinets is to remove everything from them. When they are empty and clean, it is easier to paint them. 

Remove hardware

Use a screwdriver to unscrew and remove hardware such as hinges, pulls, knobs, and others. If you don’t remove the hardware from the cabinets, it will be difficult for you to paint. It can hinder the process, making your cabinets look messy. 

Clean the cabinets

This is where a degreaser is required! After removing all the hardware, wash your cabinets with a degreaser to remove all the grease and grime. Rinse them thoroughly and leave them until dry. 

Sand the cabinets

• Get your sandpaper and tack cloth for the prep work. Sand the cabinets with 120-grit sandpaper or use 220-grit if required. This will help you create a smooth surface for painting effectively. 
• After you’re done with the sanding process, use a tack cloth to remove all the dust and other particles. 

Tape off areas

Now that you’re done with the sanding process tape off the areas you don’t want to paint. Use painter’s tape and cover areas such as countertops, backsplashes, and walls.

Prime Cabinets Process

Choose a primer

After the prep, the cabinets need to be primed. Choose a high-quality bonding primer specifically designed for this purpose.

Apply the primer

• Using a brush, apply a thin and even coat of primer to all the surfaces of the cabinets, including the inside. Let it dry completely according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Usually, two coats of primer are applied to ensure the paint adheres better, providing a smooth finish.
• Two coats are essential to avoid staining and bleeding through your finish coats if you’re painting oak cabinets.

Tip: Make sure you let one coat dry completely before putting another primer coat. 

Painting the cabinets

Choose a paint

• When you want to paint the cabinets, make sure you select a high-quality paint that is specifically formulated for cabinets. 
• When you choose high-quality paint, it ensures good finishing and durability. 
• If you want to paint your cabinets in a way that makes them easy to clean, you can choose semi-gloss or gloss finishes.

Apply the paint

After choosing the correct paint, use a brush or roller, depending on your convenience. Apply two coats of paint to all the surfaces of the cabinets. Make sure you let each coat dry completely before applying the next.

Paint the doors

• Paint the cabinet doors the same colour as the cabinet itself. When painting, finish the inside of the doors first, then the outside. 
• Let them dry completely before reinstalling the hardware. Then, make sure you apply two coats of paint for a seamless look. 
• Also, wait for 8 hours or more to let the first coat dry completely. 
• Ensure that the cabinets look good and the paint looks seamless before you untape. 

Final Steps 

Attach the hardware

Now that you’re done with the paint and it’s dry, attract the hardware to the doors and cabinets. 

Remove the Tape and Clean Up

Carefully remove the masking tape from the surfaces and clean up any paint spills or drips from the surface immediately.

Some Tips Before You Start Painting

Ventilation

When painting, make sure the area is well-ventilated. If it is not, you may not be able to work properly and may hate the smell of primer and paint. 

Moreover, when the area is not well-ventilated, paint may take more hours to dry completely. 

Patience

When applying primer and paint, you must be patient with another coat. The first coat may take a long time to dry completely. 

Quality of Materials

Make sure you choose high-quality paint and brushes for the best results in your DIY project. Low-quality materials may not give you proper finishes and durability compared to high-quality ones. 

Light Coats

When applying coats, make sure you apply thin, even coats of paint and even primer to avoid drips and runs.

Clean-up 

Once you’re done using a paintbrush or a roller, clean it immediately.

Practice

If you’ve just watched videos on how to paint kitchen cabinets and think you can, it is advisable to practice on a scrap piece of wood first.

Professional Help

If you’ve tried on scrap pieces of wood and are not confident enough, hire a professional painter. It will help you save time and energy, and you can get the best-desired results when a professional painter helps you with the kitchen cabinet painting. 

In a Nutshell

Painting cabinets requires a lot of patience and effort, but once you are done, you get the best results. Though it’s not easy for everyone to paint their kitchen cabinets, it can be possible with proper planning, a guide on how to paint kitchen cabinets and suitable materials. Get your kitchen cabinets painted at budget-friendly prices! Get the materials, refer to this guide, and start painting!