Step-by-Step Guide to Painting Your Kitchen Cabinets

If you feel like your kitchen needs to be updated, the solution may be much simpler than you think:  paint your cabinets! Kitchen cabinets draw the eye, so painting them can make the whole room feel bright and new. Visit Hoover Paint, serving the Murfreesboro area, for all the tools and supplies you need for your kitchen cabinet makeover.

Set aside at least a long weekend for this makeover since kitchen cabinets take a long time to dry properly. Even though it’s time-consuming, doing it yourself will save you money, especially compared to a full kitchen renovation, and will give you a rewarding project to work on.

Step 1: Gather your Supplies

You’ll need the following:

• Drop cloths
• Paint rags
• Mini (4.5-inch) microfiber rollers or a paint sprayer
• Small paintbrush
• Masking tape or painter’s tape
• Paint trays
• Primer
• Sandpaper
• Your Benjamin Moore Advance paint color 
• Sponge and cleaner
• Screwdriver or drill
• Optional: New knobs and pulls for drawers and cabinets

Ensure you have everything available before starting so you don’t need to stop mid-project. 

Step 2: Remove the Cabinets and Drawers

Once you have your supplies assembled, its time to begin! First, take out everything from inside the cabinets and drawers. Then, remove your cabinets, drawers, and all the hardware. Label each piece with masking tape and directions like “Upper right of sink” so you know where it belongs. 

Step 3: Clean Thoroughly

Clean the cabinets, drawers, and inside the cabinets thoroughly to ensure no dirt, oil, or debris remains. This will ensure that the paint applies evenly and will already help your cabinets look better!

Step 4: Sand

Once the cabinets are clean, sand them lightly. This provides a semi-abrasive surface for the paint and primer to hold onto. Make sure to use a vacuum or cloth to get rid of any dust; otherwise, it could get stuck under the paint and affect the finish. 

Step 5: Use Primer

Once you have your cabinets sanded, it's time to start painting! The first step of this is to prime to ensure that the paint you apply next will adhere properly. Lay down your drop cloths in a well-ventilated area and begin priming your cabinets. Prime the back of each cabinet first and lay it flat to dry. When that section is dry, you can move on to priming the front and the rest of the cabinet’s faces. Then, let them dry for 24 hours so the paint is all the way hardened, and then lightly sand them again.

Step 6: Paint the Cabinets

Using your choice of the 3,500 Benjamin Moore Advance colors for your kitchen cabinets, roll the mini roller or spray the paint to distribute it across the back efficiently and then the front. Strong and durable, the Benjamin Moore Advance formula is ideal for wood because it’s water-based, dries to a tough enamel that’s difficult to chip, and it’s high-gloss for easier cleaning. It also holds up to wear and tear and resists fading.

Once the cabinets are dry, lightly sand the cabinets and add a second coat once the cabinets are dry. The second coat should dry for 24 hours to reach its ideal hardness. 

Step 7: Clean the Interior of the Cabinets

While your paint dries and cures, you can also paint the inside of your cabinets as well! This will help to make them look more complete and will give your kitchen an extra layer of sophistication and cohesion.

Step 8: Inspect

Search the painted surfaces for any smudges or scratches. Re-sand and repaint any that you find. It’s worth the hassle now, as once the cabinets are put back up on your walls, it's going to be a lot harder to fix any scratches or imperfections.

Step 9: Put It All Together

Attach the knobs and pulls to the kitchen cabinets and drawers and hang them back up. Put everything away and bask in the glorious new look of your freshly painted kitchen! 

Contact Us 

When your kitchen is ready for a makeover, visit Hoover Paint. We have locations in Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Cool Springs, Shelbyville, Cookeville, Green Hills, Manchester, Mt. Juliet, Clarksville, and Pleasant View, TN. Get everything you need for your next painting project and ask for advice from our industry experts.