Wanting to Paint Your oak Kitchen Cabinets? Don’t go out and buy paint until you read these tips for painting cabinets the right way!
There is no question that painting kitchen cabinets is a big project, and it’s tempting to just slap some paint on them and be done. But if you want a paint job that will look great with a finish that will last, it’s best to take the time to do it the right way.
I have done many, many furniture painting tutorials and troubleshot lots of paint projects for clients, so this is THE guide and the process for getting a finish that is long lasting and professional looking!
My Go-To Painting Supplies
This is just a handy list to refer to. Many of these are your preference based on your specific situation, but I will explain in the steps below.
- TSP Cleaner
- Sander – Palm sander, mouse sander or muli-tool cutter/sander, sandpaper blocks (if necessary)
- Deglosser (optional)
- Primer – Stainblocker or High Binding Primer or Shellac Based Primer
- Paintbrushes
- Microfiber rollers or Foam Rollers
- Paint Sprayer (optional but highly recommend)
- Paint – (my favorites) Benjamin Moore Advance, Cabinet Transformations, Fusion Mineral, Rust-Oleum Chalked Ultra Matte
- Protective Top Coat – Here is my list of favorite protective top coats.
These are pretty standard old oak kitchen cabinets. Oak has a very distinctive grain, and if you are looking to smooth that out, check out my post on removing wood grain in oak cabinets. Today, I am sharing our tried and true painting techniques for painting kitchen cabinets.
How To Paint Oak Cabinets Step-by-Step
1. How To Prep Kitchen Cabinets for Painting
First, remove all the hardware and use this cleaner for getting any and all grime and dirt off of them. I like it because TSP doesn’t leave a film. We made our space in the basement with a huge tarp and a large piece of the nasty carpet we replaced when we moved in.
Pro Tip: Number the doors when you remove them so that you know where each one goes when your putting the kitchen back together.
These particular cabinets are a solid wood front with sides that are laminate covering fiber board (aka very common style kitchen cabinets).
2. To sand or not?
There are two ways of removing the varnish/sheen that kitchen cabinets: sanding and deglossing.
The first way is to sand with a palm sander or a mouse sander (we use a multi-tool for corners, which is one of our best ever purchases. You don’t necessarily need to get every bit of varnish off. I give a general rule – sand just enough to take the gloss off.
Sanding is going to give the best bond, particularly for old kitchen cabinets where the top coat is degraded. I highly recommend the sanding method for high traffic surfaces such as around knobs and door edges.
What about surfaces that can’t be sanded? You can also use a bonding agent like this one. It’s not available at many hardware stores, but you can buy it online.
You can also use a deglosser, which puts a coating on the cabinets that paint can bond to. Spray it on and after 15-20 minutes, test your surface. It should look etched, but not gummy or glossy. If it is, the surface may need to be cleaned again or sanded.
3. WHEN TO SKIP PRIMING
Now, the cabinets are ready for painting. In my experience, there are a few paints that you can skip priming with – Chalk Paint, Fusion Mineral and Benjamin Moore Advance.
There are, however, 2 situations that I would still use a high-quality stainblocking primer:
- Painting over dark cabinets with a light or white color
- Oak Cabinets that have bad stains stains like deeply embedded oil or markers.
- Cabinets with knots in the wood such as knotty pine.
The cabinets I am painting today are too troublesome to not prime. Two coats of primer (with a sprayer, only one if brushing) will give good coverage on painted oak kitchen cabinets. After using many, many primers, this series of Kilz is my never fail go-to primer. You can also use a shellac based primer if you have knotty pine cabinets, and that works well.
Remember: use the same base for all layers. For example, if you are using a water-based paint (like latex enamel), you would need a water based primer, sealer, clear coat, etc.
For a matte finish, I recommend either Fusion Mineral or Rust-Oleum Ultra Matte Chalked Paint. Fusion Mineral, in this case, is probably going to be very pricey. We painted our kitchen island with Fusion Mineral, and it’s awesome. However, both paints will require a protective top coat if used in the kitchen. I have used Fusion Mineral in my son’s bathroom and furniture pieces without a topcoat and LOVE it! I’ve scrubbed dried on toothpaste off of it and it looks great.
You can read about the most durable paint options here.
4. How To Get a smooth finish when painting kitchen cabinets
Here is another tip that saved me a TON of time on painting kitchen cabinets: get a sprayer!
A large kitchen of 47 doors and drawers took me and my husband about 2 hours to spray one coat!
Moreover, a sprayer will always deliver the best finish possible, period. In the last few years, homeowner sprayers have improved a lot. There are a lot of great options out there depending on your situation. (I actually own 4 sprayers!) The short answer for those who may only have a few projects (or new to sprayers) and on a budget is this Wagner model I use and love.
There is a learning curve however with any sprayer and I suggest playing with it and testing before each coat. Getting the correct pressure and paint flow is essential to a smooth finish.
We have an excellent guide to painting kitchen cabinets with a sprayer that shows how to setup, troubleshoot and get the best finish possible.
Pulling out the cabinets certainly makes this easier. However, the process isn’t impossible if that is not feasible. You can either buy a ton of thin tarps and spray the cabinet frames or brush/roll them with a microfiber roller or a foam roller depending on which paint you use.
*Note – with deeply grained cabinets, you will still see some of the woodgrain after painting. If you want a completely smooth finish like the picture below, I recommend and show you how to fill woodgrain before painting here.
5. ADDING A PROTECTIVE CLEAR COAT
For the paints mentioned above, this step may be optional. So it’s all up to your preference.
I have written a great guide to The Best Protective Top Coats for Furniture and Cabinets if you want more information.
My most used polycrylic for kitchen cabinets is Benwood Stays Clear Acrylic Polyurethane. First, it comes in 3 different sheens – flat, low-lustre, and high gloss. I chose the low-lustre finish. Second, it’s made for painted floors, so I know it is durable. And third, the name says it all – STAYS CLEAR.
*Note – This product is absolutely meant to be applied with a sprayer. You can brush it on with a bristled brush but for a project like this, I would recommend thinning it out about 5% to prevent any air bubbles in the surface. If you do use a brush, definitely use a high-quality finishing brush such as a Purdy or Corona China Bristle. You can also use a microfiber roller. Do not use a foam roller.
6. DRY TIME VS CURE TIME
After installing the doors and drawers back on the cabinets, I left them open to allow the paint/poly to cure. It took about two and a half weeks for mine to fully cure inside, but it can take up to 60 days to fully cure in high humidity.
What is paint curing? Paint can be dry to the touch and not actually be fully dry. If I were to close all my drawers so that there was paint to paint contact, and then opened them a day or so later, I risk the paint sticking together and (horror) pulling some of the paint off.
Frequently asked questions:
There is a method that doesn’t require sanding. You can use a deglossing product, sometimes called liquid sander. Deglosser only works on wood and varnished veneers. It generally won’t work well on laminate or paper covered surfaces.
Spending the extra money on a quality paint will save you so much heartache in the long run. Cabinet paint must be extremely durable and very easy to clean. I would say that at least ⅓ of my clients have me fix bad paint jobs on cabinets and the number 1 problem is using the wrong paint.
My most recommended paints are Benjamin Moore’s Advance Alkyd Paint (satin), Fusion Mineral (Matte), and Behr Cabinet Paint (Budget pick).
Painting cabinets with a sprayer provides a much smoother finish than using a traditional brush method. It cuts down on the time and work involved as well as eliminates the need for touchups or sanding after the fact.
I know today’s tutorial was kind of in-depth and chocked full of information, but if you ever go about painting kitchen cabinets, you will love this!
UPDATE: HERE IS HOW OUR CABINETS ARE HOLDING UP 2 YEARS LATER.
PS I love seeing your creations! Be sure to take a photo and tag #cravingcreative on Instagram! You can also stay in touch with me through following me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Subscribing to the Newsletter!
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More Information on Painting Cabinets Like a Pro
Best Paint Sprayers 
Save Time Painting Cabinets 
Hiding Wood Grain 
How To Strip Furniture
Tools
- Paint Sprayer
Supplies
- TSP Cleaner
- Sanding blocks
- Paint Brushes
- microfiber rollers
- lint free cloths
- Stainblocking Primer (this is my go-to favorite)
- Paint
Optional Materials
- deglosser
- Protective Top Coat
- wood filler for deep scratches
Instructions
- Sand just enough to get the glossy surface off. A palm sander or a mouse sander (we use a multi-tool for corners, will save hours of hand sanding. While sanding will produce the best bond, you can skip sanding by using a deglosser product in areas that cannot be sanded.
- If needed, repair deep scratches with wood filler. Wipe any dust off before painting.
- Setup your painting area. If you can't remove the drawer fronts, you can prop them up to dry. Doors should ideally be lifted off the floor for drying. Wood blocks or plastic cups work well to prop them up.
- Coat with Appropriate Primer. One coat provides enough coverage for brushing/rolling. Use 2 light coats if spraying or if drastically changing the color. Allow to dry 24 hours. If any stains come through, recoat those areas.
- Paint the cabinet doors with 2 coats of cabinet paint. See notes about using a sprayer.
- Allow to dry. I generally allow the doors to dry about a week before flipping over to prime and painting the front sides.
- Paint the frames. You can paint the cabinet frames while waiting for the doors to dry. You can either tarp and spray the cabinet frames (pictured) or paint using a brush and roller. Generally, there is no need to paint the insides except for glass fronted cabinets.
- Add a protective clear top coat. This is optional but highly recommended for most paints to make cleaning easier and the paint will last longer.
- Put the doors and drawers back on. Full cure can take up to a month, so I suggest leaving the doors and drawers ajar for at least a few weeks.
Notes
- Wipe the tip with a rag occasionally as you go. Dried paint can build up on it, causing your paint to splatter.
- Always test a scrap board (preferred) or large piece of cardboard. Anytime you take a break from using the sprayer, always hit the test board first. This includes after refills or long breaks.
- If after the first few cleanings, your paint sprayer won’t spray, check to make sure a pinhole at the top of the suction tube isn’t clogged.
- Start by spraying off the board, meaning engage the sprayer before you are over top of the work product (or cabinet door in this case). Spray all the way across, and let go of the trigger after you have gone off the door. If a sprayer is going to spatter, it will most likely happen when you engage/disengage the trigger.
- If you get spatter/orange peel, wipe off immediately until smooth and spray again. Drying and sanding smooth again is much more time-consuming,
- Clean the sprayer immediately after use. You can, however let it sit in the sprayer overnight for additional coats, but clean the tip well.
Karen says
Rachel, thank you so much for all your good info! I also read your blog post about polycrylics. We have recently primed & painted cabinets w/Sherwin Williams latex, and it all looks so pretty! But I have to be honest, I have painting fatigue and want to just get things put back together. Can I get away with using polycrylic on the drawer & door fronts only, or am I going to regret that? Will you appearance be drastically different (doors vs. frames) and/or do you think I’m risking paint chipping all over the place? Thanks again!
Rachel says
You can definitely get away with topcoating the drawer fronts and doors. However, even in a large kitchen, doing the frames with a roller only takes a few hours more. Sherwin williams emerald line is pretty durable so it should hold up relatively well. For topcoating cabinets, I usually look at my clients environment to determine if they REALLY need top coated with a poly. If the surface is likely to get stained or damaged, it’s a no brainer. I ask my clients if they have kids, if they have long fingernails, if they use the kitchen daily, and how much they clean, and how long they want the finish to last. The poly to me is like wrapping your cabinets in a protective plastic almost – it makes it wear better, less likely to stain or discolor over time, and easier to clean.
Sheilla says
Can you paint the unfinished inside of a wood cabinet? My cabinets are rough & unfinished on the inside which makes it difficult to wipe out. Is there a way to finish the inside so that it’s smooth and easy to wipe out?
Rachel says
You can paint the inside with a very durable paint and top coat. There are some considerations depending on the type of shelves you have. If you have a very porous wood like mdf, I would be very careful since mdf often bubbles when it soaks up moisture of any kind. For MDF or something that isn’t a solid piece of wood, I generally recommend using something like contact paper or just a lining that can be changed out when necessary.
Nicole says
Hi! I’ve been following this tutorial to repaint our kitchen and it has been so helpful so thank you!!
I typically use oil primer, but I’m worried about cleaning it out of my sprayer. Can I use two layers of the Kilz Max as a primer by itself or would you recommend using an additional primer underneath? Did you have to thin it out at all or did the sprayer handle it ok?
Thanks!!
Rachel says
Yes, you can definitely use the Kilz Max by itself. It has the performance of an oil or shellac, but is water-based.
As for thinning it out, I generally thin just about all paints and primers, usually just a little. It definitely depends on the sprayer and other factors, but I seem to find that for me personally, I almost always seem to get a better overall finish and smoothness. I always test unthinned first. It may just be the user, so I recommend testing and then slowly adding a thinning agent like water for water-based paints if you want to. In case you are interested, I just released a post about painting cabinets with a sprayer at this link. Some of the info is particular to my sprayer, but it does have other good information. Good luck with your project and I always love seeing the completion photos!
Barbara says
We have a vacation home that has ok cabinets. We hired a “painter” to paint them. He said he sanded them a little and used Sherwin Williams Latx satin paint. This is less than a week now and they are chipping. He came back and touched them up but am afraid they will chip again. Should we put a Polyacrylic on top and will that help?
Rachel says
A polyacrylic will definitely help, and you can see my recommendations on polyacrylics here. and I am guessing he used regular satin wall paint, which should not have been the case. I just finished painting a set of cabinets in Sherwin Williams’s Emerald Line of paint. It’s quite pricey, but it has a beautiful sheen and supposedly very durable like Benjamin Moore Advance. However, it’s only been a week, and I know that paint takes a month or so to become fully hardened, so I tell my clients to be gentle for the first few weeks and to leave all the doors and drawers ajar to prevent sticking/pulling of the paint. Good luck with your project!
Sarah Fenili says
What exact brand and type of paint did you use for your cabinets? Thank you!
Rachel says
For my cabinets, I think I used Lowes Furniture Paint. However, it isn’t a paint I highly recommend, especially without a strong top coat. I have another chair with it and even though the chair is not used much, it is already showing wear. There was no top coat like with the cabinets. The brands that I generally recommend are Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams Alkyld or Acrylic Paints for cabinets. Do not use latex. I have other paints that I love if you are looking for a specific sheen or process.