Email Signup ×

STAY CONNECTED

Find out what's new from Wagner including product news, exclusive email offers, promotions and more.

painted kitchen cabinets

Painting Kitchen Cabinets

Painting kitchen cabinets can update the whole look of the kitchen. Here's some tips and steps to consider when planning your kitchen update!

DIFFICULTY: Intermediate

Overview

Preparation is maybe the most time consuming part of this whole process. Remove the cabinet doors and give them a light sanding and cleaning. Although it's possible to paint without sanding, you'll have extra confidence in the adhesion if you don't skip this step. Don't forget to sand and clean any other faces that will be painted including side panels and kicks.

Before

kitchen before painting

After

kitchen cabinet update
1

Preparation

Sand for Better Paint Adhesion

Preparation is maybe the most time consuming part of this whole process. Remove the cabinet doors and give them a light sanding and cleaning. Although it's possible to paint without sanding, you'll have extra confidence in the adhesion if you don't skip this step. Don't forget to sand and clean any other faces that will be painted including side panels and kicks.

sanding kitchen cabinets
2

Masking

Mask for Even Faster Spraying

Mask off any areas you don't want to get overspray. While the paint sprayers are very accurate, a light dust of paint may settle on surfaces, so it's better to be safe and cover anything you don't want to get residue!

masking kitchen
3

Set Up Your Sprayer

Practice Spraying First

Take some time to get comfortable with the settings on your sprayer for this particular project. Each type of paint sprays differently so it's recommended to take a scrap piece of wood or cardboard to test your settings to get the perfect spray pattern. For cupboards, we recommend using the FLEXiO 5000 with the Detail Finish Nozzle. This nozzle will give a much finer finish than the standard nozzle which is better for larger surfaces.

practice with sprayer
4

Prime

Prime First for Color Accuracy

Prime the cabinets with either a strong adhesion cabinet primer (for MDF or previously painted surfaces) or a stain blocking primer (if you have oak cabinets like these ones here). It may take two coats of primer to get a full coverage without bleed from the wood color. Light coats will help ensure a smooth finish and lasting adhesion.

priming cabinets
5

Paint

Spray Paint Color of Choice

Now the fun part- painting! Here you'll paint multiple coats of the color of your choice. If your doors have multiple facets like these, make sure to physically move around the door to have the paint sprayer directed at each face. This will ensure you get into each of the nooks with even coverage. Let paint dry completely between each coat.

painting cabinets with a sprayer
6

Put the kitchen cabinets back together!

Enjoy Your Work

See it all come together as you put the doors back on the cabinets! In this particular project, there's still floors and more to be finished before the kitchen is ready for use, but you can see the power of paint with just this portion of the makeover complete!

painting kitchen cabinets with a sprayer
7

This sponsored post was created by Lemon Thistle. Head to the blog for the full post and details.

painted kitchen cabinets
Products Used
Download project steps & shopping list

We'll never share your email with anyone else.

suggested other projects

Kitchen Table and Chairs Makeover
Kitchen Table and Chairs Makeover

Give your dated table and chair set a makeover using a Wagner paint sprayer....

Learn More
How to Paint a Kitchen Cabinet Built-In
How to Paint a Kitchen Cabinet Built-In

"We have lots to do when we host a party at home. The FLEXiO paint sprayer helped us get our kitchen cabinets painted in a...

Learn More
Staining a Bead Board Kitchen Island
Staining a Bead Board Kitchen Island

Create a unique look for your kitchen island using stain....

Learn More
Stay Connected

Find out what’s new from Wagner including product news, exclusive email offers, promotions and more.