Back to Interior Painting How-To's
How to Paint Cabinets
Refresh your kitchen and add a pop of colour by painting your cabinets.
Product Tip: Try BEHR PREMIUM® Cabinet & Trim Enamel for your paint project.
For Best Results:
If you are painting a cabinet that was previously painted with a glossy paint, thoroughly scuff-sand or degloss the surface for proper adhesion.
Suggested Tools & Supplies
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BEHR® Paint
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Primer (optional)
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Brush (50-65mm / 2"-2½")
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Paint Key
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Paint Tray
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Paint Tray Liner
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Drop Cloth
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Roller Cover and Frame
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Sandpaper (150-220 Grit)
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Painter's Tape
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Screwdriver
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Cloth Rags
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Step 1Grab your tools.
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Step 2Find your perfect colour.
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Step 3With a screwdriver remove hardware, doors and drawers.
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Step 4Clean the surface of the cabinets.
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Step 5Gently sand the surface to help remove any gloss from the previous coating.
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Step 6Wipe off the excess dust.
TIP: When painting over new cabinets, you will want to use a coat of primer.
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Step 7Tape off the counter and cut in using a paint brush.
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Step 8Using a roller, paint the panels and hard to reach areas starting from the inside out.
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Step 9With the paint brush, apply paint on the top of the frame. Once the top of the frame is complete, move on to paint the side of the frame.
TIP: Apply paint in the same direction of the wood grain.
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Step 10Now grab the cabinet doors and drawers and lay them flat on a saddle.
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Step 11Start painting on the inside and move out toward the edges.
TIP: To ensure that color is as rich as possible, consider adding a second coat.
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Step 12Allow paint to completely dry. Replace doors and drawers before reinstalling the hardware.
More How-Tos
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
PAINT AND STAIN CALCULATOR
Inside or outside; paint or stain: Let’s figure out how much you’ll need to make amazing happen.
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ASK AN EXPERT
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COLOUR STUDIO
So many colours and so many ideas: Visit Behr’s Colour Studio for inspiration, colour tools, design advice and everything you need to find your project’s perfect colour.
Colour Studio
