How to Paint Cabinets

Refresh your kitchen and add a pop of color by painting your cabinets.

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.

Maintain your painted cabinets and safely wipe away dirt and common household stains with BEHR SWIPES™ Interior Wall Wipes.

Step 1

Grab your tools.
Step 2

Find your perfect color.
Step 3

With a screwdriver remove hardware, doors and drawers.
Step 4

Clean the surface of the cabinets.
Step 5

Gently sand the surface to help remove any gloss from the previous coating.
Step 6

Wipe off the excess dust.

TIP: When painting over new cabinets, you will want to use a coat of primer.
Step 7

Tape off the counter and cut in using a paint brush.
Step 8

Using a roller, paint the panels and hard to reach areas starting from the inside out.
Step 9

With 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.
Step 10

Now grab the cabinet doors and drawers and lay them flat on a saddle.
Step 11

Start 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.
Step 12

Allow paint to completely dry. Replace doors and drawers before reinstalling the hardware.