How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets in 5 Steps

Are you hoping to revitalize your kitchen? One option is to paint your kitchen cabinets using Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel, a durable product designed to withstand the kind of wear and tear kitchens experience. Painting your kitchen cabinets is a great way to refresh the area, as it's simpler and more cost-effective than replacing them entirely. Continue reading to find helpful tips on how to paint kitchen cabinets so that you can confidently embark on this DIY project!

Jump to Supplies

STEP 1

Remove Doors and Hardware

The first step in painting kitchen cabinets is removing all the doors and hardware. By removing these components, you'll avoid the chance of getting paint on your hinges or handles and prevent paint buildup on door edges that could impact functionality.

STEP 2

Prep, Sand and Prime

After you remove the doors and hardware, we recommend thoroughly cleaning the cabinets with a cleaner degreaser. Using an appropriate cleaner eliminates the grease and oil that naturally builds up over time.

Once the cabinets are clean, consider applying a test sample of Extreme Bond Primer in an inconspicuous area.

Test

Applying Extreme Bond Primer to a test area and letting it dry allows you to test adhesion in an unnoticeable spot before continuing the project. Thanks to this primer's outstanding adhesion, sanding may not be necessary for most clean, paintable surfaces. Before painting, you'll also want to use a quality wood filler or putty to patch holes and other surface-level imperfections.

If your test is successful and you've established quality bonding/adhesion, you can continue priming the rest of your cabinets. It's important to note that surfaces that are not clean, dry and dull can impact paint adhesion and may compromise the service length of the products. Completing these crucial preemptive steps will help your cabinets look as good as new once the makeover is complete.

Tip: Sherwin-Williams encourages you to use Extreme Bond Primer when painting kitchen cabinets to help you achieve the look you want. This high-quality primer promotes a superior finish by ensuring the topcoat spreads evenly and sticks as intended. Inadequate spread and adhesion can result in an uneven appearance or flaking.

STEP 3

Sand Again

Let the primer dry for at least 24 hours, then sand the primed surfaces again using "very fine" grit sandpaper. After you smooth the primer coat, use a damp cloth to remove debris. Once the primed surfaces are sanded and debris-free, you can apply the first coat of cabinet paint.

Colors We Used

Check out our most popular colors for your most important projects to develop your color palette and create like a pro. View the kitchen cabinet paint colors we used for this design.

More Color Ideas

SW 7048 Urbane Bronze

SW 7632 Modern Gray

Visualize Color

Order Samples

Get Color Guidance

STEP 4

Apply First Coat

Start by using an angled brush for each cabinet door's recessed or detailed areas while avoiding brush marks on the flatter, smoother areas.

Next, immediately paint the remaining flat areas with a mini roller while smoothing any overlapping brush marks or paint drips to create a uniform look.

Tip: Emerald^® Urethane Trim Enamel in Gloss, Semi-Gloss or Satin sheen is among the best paint for kitchen cabinets because it has excellent flow and leveling characteristics, resulting in a smooth and durable finish. As for brushes and rollers, we recommend using the Purdy^® Clearcut^® Dale^™ brush and WhiteDove^™ roller for exceptional cut-in capabilities and precision.

STEP 5

Apply Second Coat

Let the first coat of cabinet paint dry for about 24-48 hours, then apply a second coat in the same manner. Wait another 24-48 hours for the second coat to dry before reinstalling your existing cabinet hardware - or add new hardware to complete the makeover!

Providing ample dry time between coats and reinstalling hardware is essential when painting kitchen cabinets, as it will prevent smudging, peeling, and other imperfections.

WARNING! Removal of old paint by sanding, scraping or other means may generate dust or fumes that contain lead. Exposure to lead dust or fumes may cause brain damage or other adverse health effects, especially in children or pregnant women. Controlling exposure to lead or other hazardous substances requires the use of proper protective equipment, such as a properly fitted respirator (NIOSH approved) and proper containment and cleanup. For more information, call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (in US) or contact your local health authority.