How to Paint Cabinets

How to Paint Cabinets. This post contains detailed instructions and pictures to demonstrate how to paint unfinished stock cabinets.

After painting the laundry room walls, things looked a little bare. To fill the space above the washer/dryer and provide storage, the choice to be made is cabinets or shelves. I went with cabinets, so I can shut the doors on the clutter.

After spending some time researching cabinets and pricing them out I made a realization. One that anyone who is adding cabinets to their home should know. If you are willing to put in a little work, you can save a ton of money using stock cabinets.

Enough about saving money, here are the steps to painting unfinished stock cabinets that last. For this tutorial, I will be using a brush and foam roller with fantastic results that minimize brush strokes. I would like to note, the steps are similar to painting finished cabinets, but there are a few key difference . Read more below.

Below are the materials and instructions needed so that you too can paint unfinished stock cabinets that look flawless.

I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the exact products I use. For full disclosure statement, click here.

Materials and Tools

• Paint: urethane alkyd enamel in the shade, pure white (semi-gloss) by Sherwin Williams
  • Sign up to be on their email list, they run sales all the time for 25-40% off. This particular paint is EXPENSIVE, but worth it.
• Primer, Killz 3 is my fav
• Painters tape
• Drill /drill bit
• Sander (or sand paper) 220 grit
• Angled paint brush
• Mini foam rollers
• White Paintable Caulk
• Unfinished cabinets (pantry and wall)

Step 1. Inspect Cabinets

First you will want to remove any shipping materials added to protect cabinets during transport. Then, inspect all areas of the cabinets carefully looking for any flaws or gouges in the wood. The cabinets came wrapped in cardboard.

Upon inspections I noticed that one of the cabinets had some minor damage to one door. I’m sure this happened during transport. I chose not to return/exchange the damaged cabinet because the shipping had already been delayed by months (COVID) and then they sat for months unopened in my living room. Also, they are heavy and loading and unloading them to return/exchange would be a pain.

Like I said, damages were minimal and only on one door. I used a little wood filler to repair and fill the spots. I will place that door in the corner where it wont be noticed. No big deal.

Step 2. Remove hardware

Remove all hardware, label and place in a bag, set aside with corresponding cabinet. This is an simple step that is often overlooked. However, I recommend removing hardware prior to painting as removing paint from hardware is a pain! Don’t skip this step.

Step 3. Sand Smooth

Once any wood filler is dry sand all wood surfaces smooth using 180-220 grit sandpaper. These stock cabinets were surprisingly rough to the touch. After all surfaces are sanded, using a microfiber cloth or tack cloth, wipe all surfaces free of dust.

Step 4. Caulk

Apply caulk to any corners, joints, or areas that look like there is a gap. To do this, run a bead of paintable caulk along the gap. Immediately, using a wet finger or baby wipe, run your finger over the wet bead of wet caulk. This will remove excess caulk and smooth it out. Let the caulk dry overnight before painting.

Step 5. Prime

Priming is another step that tends to get over looked. Again, this is a step that if skipped, will leave you with less than stellar results. If skipping primer expect paint to chip and peel. Primer also helps paint adhere to the primer rather than unevenly absorb into raw wood. I would like to note that raw wood on unfinished cabinets sucks up paint/ primer like you wouldn’t believe. Don’t be surprised if you feel like you are going through more primer than you thought you would.

Using an angled brush and foam roller prime the cabinet boxes. Then move onto the cabinet faces starting with the backs first.

Prop faces up with painters triangles for an easier time reaching all surfaces. Next, using an angled paint brush, paint the seam of the panel and rail. Smooth any drips or pooled paint before using a foam roller to paint the rail and panel.

Let dry according to paint instructions and flip cabinet door to paint the fronts.

For cabinet fronts, start by brushing paint onto the cabinet stile. Be sure to brush out any drips and smooth any pooled paint before it dries. Then paint the panel of the cabinet with a foam roller. Lastly paint the cabinet rail and edge.

Let dry completely before using 220 grit sandpaper to lightly sand all surfaces. Wipe away dust and debris with a tack cloth. Repeat priming of door backs and fronts 2 times to achieve even coverage.

Refer to primer can for recoat time. Once all surfaces are primed and the recommended dry time has elapsed, it’s time to paint!

Step 6. Paint

Choose a paint color and type wisely. The better quality paint used the better the results and longevity of the painted cabinets. Sherwin Williams water based alkyd urethane enamel paint it the best cabinet paint I have found thus far. Pricey, but worth it.

Using an angled brush and foam roller paint the cabinet boxes. Then move onto the cabinet faces starting with the backs first.

Prop faces up with painters triangles for an easier time reaching all surfaces. Next, using an angled paint brush, paint the seam of the panel and rail. Smooth any drips or pooled paint before using a foam roller to paint the rail and panel.

Let dry according to paint instructions and flip cabinet door to paint the fronts.

For cabinet fronts, start by brushing paint onto the cabinet stile. Be sure to brush out any drips and smooth any pooled paint before it dries. Then paint the panel of the cabinet with a foam roller. Lastly paint the cabinet rail and edge.

Let dry completely before using 220 grit sandpaper to lightly sand all surfaces. Wipe away dust and debris with a tack cloth. Repeat painting of door backs and fronts 2-3 times to achieve even coverage.

Let paint dry completely (2-3 days) before attaching hardware.

*To save on the cost on Sherwin Williams paint wait until they run a special. Sign up to be on their email list, they run sales all the time for 25-40% off. This particular paint is EXPENSIVE, but worth it.

Step 7. Attach Hardware and Re-hang Doors to Boxes.

The hard and time consuming part is done! Now it’s time to reattach removed hardware and hang the doors to the cabinet boxes. This should be fairly easy if the hardware was placed in labeled bags (step 2). Make any adjustments to drawers and doors if needed after attachment.

Hurray! Now you are done with another inexpensive DIY home upgrade. Stand back and admire all the work you did.

Tips

• Follow the dry times listed on each product so the paint adheres and does not peel up while applying a second coat.
• Do not skip the primer!
• Sand lightly between paint coats and wipe off dust.
• Give yourself more time than you think you need for this whole project. Dry times can really increase the total time for this type of project.

What cabinets will you paint? Kitchen, bathroom, laundry ? Let me know in the comments section below.

For another DIY home project, check out this post, Ikea Rast Closet Hack.