Painting Cabinets
When painting cabinets, you might immediately think it’s a job for the pros. But with the right paint, supplies, and a little prep, you can revitalize cabinets for a fraction of the cost.
Clean cabinets before Painting. First, remove any doors, drawers, and cabinet hardware. A flat painting surface is critical. Then using mild dish soap with water, wash, and dry cabinets thoroughly.
Do your prep. After cabinets are clean, it’s time to use fine grade sandpaper (we recommend) 100- to 150-grit to roughen up surfaces. It’s not necessary to remove previous paint; we’re just giving it something to “stick to.” After sanding, wipe any dust away with a damp cloth and dry. Make sure to tape off countertops and floors to avoid paint drips and spills.
Use a good primer. Know your surface before selecting a primer. Laminate cabinets? We recommend Benjamin Moore Advance Fresh Start® High-Hiding All Purpose Primer (046). Wood cabinets? We suggest Benjamin Moore ADVANCE Primer (790). These primers will provide a smooth finish and help mask minor imperfections. Allow the primer to dry for at least 24 hours between coats. Not sure of your surface? Remove a door and bring it into our store. A Cardinal team member can help select the correct primer and paint finish.
ADVANCE Primer
ADVANCE Satin Paint
Repeat the sanding process. Using a fine, 220-grit paper, sand all surfaces after the primer has completely dried, paying attention to corners and cracks where drips might have pooled. Wipe away any dust with a damp cloth and let dry.
Let’s get Painting. Purchase a high-quality paintbrush and foam roller or a paint sprayer. Using a brush or roller typically saves paint and costs but will require additional time. Both methods are acceptable. If choosing the brush and roller, lightly sanding between coats will help hide strokes. Apply the first coat of paint. Be sure to consider sheen when selecting your paint. Cabinets typically do better with a semi-gloss or gloss paint. Look for flexibility—the best cabinet paints are suitable for oak, cherry, mahogany, maple, fabricated woods, Formica® laminate, and other high-pressure surface materials. We recommend Benjamin Moore Advance. Advance has Exceptional application and feel, outstanding coverage, a hard, furniture-quality finish, Low-VOC, even after tinting, and is available in thousands of colors. Advance is super easy to apply and cleans up with soap and water.
Like the primer, let your first coat of paint dry completely before your next coat. You’ll probably need two to three coats based on color selections—sand lightly between each coat to remove any drips. The longer the paint dries, the more durable its finish will be. At a minimum, let cabinets dry in a well-ventilated area for at least 24 hours—however, two or three days is ideal. There is no reason to need to add a sealer after you paint. It’s already durable and washable. Reassemble after ample drying time. Seal any corners with caulk and get ready for the complements.
Tips:
- Painting cabinet doors a darker color? Use a tinted primer as your base.
- Tint caulk to match paint selections for a clean finish after Painting.
Have any questions? Want to know more? Visit one of our three Cardinal Home Center locations for assistance.
Supplies: 100- to 150-grit, 220-grit sandpaper, putty to seal cracks, A variety of brushes, Paint rollers or sprayer, Benjamin Moore Advance Primer and Paint, caulk, drop cloths
