How to Get Paint to Stick to Cabinets

Sand the cabinets with 150-grit sandpaper. Rub the sandpaper over the cabinets in a back and forth motion to dull the surface. Sand every part of the cabinet you plan on painting.

Wipe down the cabinets with a damp rag to remove the dust from sanding.

Scrub the cabinets with a rag and household cleaner. The cabinets must be free of dirt, oil and other grime to ensure paint sticks. Make sure the cleaner you are using is safe to use on the cabinet surface, and follow the bottle's instructions if the cleaner needs to be diluted.

Allow the surface to dry.

Apply an acrylic primer to the cabinets prior to painting. Choose a high-quality primer and let it dry for at least two to four hours before applying paint. Priming the cabinets helps seal the surface and provides something for the new paint to adhere to.