How to Paint Stained Cupboards

Remove the doors and hardware, such as handles and hinges, from the cupboards.

Take the doors and cupboards to a well-ventilated area like a garage and place them on top of a dropcloth. If you cannot move the cupboards, cover the area around them with a dropcloth and ventilate the area by opening the windows and using a fan.

Apply wood stain remover to the cupboard and doors. Allow the remover to react with the stain for the time specified in the instructions. The stain remover causes the stain to bubble up, making it easier to remove.

Scrape the stain off of the wood with a putty knife or scraper, making sure that you don't dig into the wood while you scrape. Use a toothbrush for tight corners and areas of the cupboard that have an intricate design. If necessary, add more wood stain remover and scrape it away again.

Scrub the wood with a cleanser that contains a mineral base.

Paint the bare wood with primer. Go with the grain of the wood when spreading the primer onto the bare wood with the brush. Use brushstrokes that cover 3 to 4 inches at a time. Allow the primer to dry.

Paint the cupboard and doors with the top coat of paint. Go with the grain of the wood when spreading the paint onto the bare wood with the brush. Use brushstrokes that cover 3 to 4 inches at a time. Allow the paint to dry.

Add a second coat of paint or touch up the paint if needed and allow it to dry.

Move the cupboard back to its location and reinstall the doors and hardware.