What Is the Best Way to Prepare Kitchen Cabinets for Repainting?

Dryness, high temperatures and humidity eventually cause damage to the surface of kitchen cabinets. If replacing the cabinets is not in your budget, repainting them is the next best option. This will help transform your kitchen at a fraction of the cost of new cabinetry. But before repainting, your cabinets need to be properly prepared. Plan on two or three days of work to ready your cabinets for repainting.

Newspapers or old sheets
Sturdy table or counter top
Masking tape
Marker
All-purpose household cleaner
Kitchen sponge or clean cloth
Wood putty
Putty knife
150- or 180-grit sandpaper
Tack cloth
Primer (check for compatibility with type of paint that will be used)
Paintbrush

Instructions

Instructions
- 1
  Lay newspapers or old sheets over a sturdy table or countertop and the floor of your work area.
- 2
  Mark the inside of each kitchen cabinet with masking tape and marker to be able to quickly identify where it belongs. This will save you from guesswork later on when you rehang them.
- 3
  Remove the kitchen cabinet doors, hinges and all other hardware from cabinets.
- 4
  Clean the cabinet doors and boxes with an all-purpose household cleaner, following manufacturer's instructions. Rinse with clean water, using a kitchen sponge or clean cloth; let dry.
- 5
  Fill any nicks in the cabinet doors and boxes with wood putty. Smooth the putty flush to the cabinet surface with a putty knife; let set 24 hours.
- 6
  Sand the cabinet boxes and doors with 150- or 180-grit sandpaper. Thoroughly wipe away any dust and debris with a tack cloth.
- 7
  Apply a coat of primer to doors and boxes with a paint brush. After primer has dried, check to be sure all wood and areas filled with putty are uniformly coated. Apply a second coat of primer if necessary.

Using a Primer Over a Painted Wall

How to Prepare Door Trim for Painting

Indoor House Painting