Cabinet Painting
& Staining

You’ll need:

• Fine sandpaper (220-grit)
• Tack cloth
• Painter’s tape
• Primer made for laminates
• Paint (acrylic or latex is recommended)
• Paintbrushes and rollers
• Drop cloths or plastic sheeting

Steps

1. Work in a well-ventilated area and wear a painter’s dust mask to avoid breathing toxic materials.
2. Use a degreaser or soapy water to clean the cabinets. Degreasing is especially important if you’re interested in how to paint kitchen cabinets. Let them dry completely.
3. Remove all cabinet doors, drawers and hardware.
4. Lightly sand the laminate surfaces with 220-grit sandpaper – just enough to create a texture for the primer to adhere to.
5. Wipe down the sanded surfaces with tack cloth to remove all dust and debris.
6. Use painter’s tape to protect any adjacent areas you don’t want to be painted.
7. Apply a high-quality primer designed for laminate surfaces using a brush or roller and allow to fully dry. If you have a powered paint sprayer, that’s even better for achieving smooth, even coverage.
8. Lightly sand the surfaces again to smooth out any imperfections and wipe down with a tack cloth afterward.
9. Paint the cabinets using a high-quality acrylic or latex paint. Apply multiple thin coats, allowing each coat to dry completely before applying the next one. This will help achieve a smooth, durable finish.
10. Once the paint is fully dry, reattach the hardware and reassemble the cabinets.

Cabinet refreshing is a great way to update the look of your room while controlling costs.