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Writer's pictureiolanda Gillins

How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets?

Here are a few tips to paint your kitchen cabinets.

I have had so many people reach out when they find out I painted my own cabinets especially when they get a bid of $3000.00 and up, for this weekend project that costs about $300.00 and a weekend of work and elbow grease. So I deiced this might be a handy resource if you are planning on tackling this project. I have painted our kitchen cabinets twice and loved the results each time! How to paint kitchen cabinets?


Follow along, there are 2 methods below.

2 things to know before you start, with either method

1. Depending on the size of your kitchen you should allow at least full weekend.

2. Take your time and don’t rush the drying time.


The 1ST Method

The first time I painted them I used Rustoleums cabinet transformation kit.

It is recommended you follow the manufacture instructions.

We had Home Depot’s paint department tint the provided paint a blueish/green hue for the lowers and a soft creamy hue for my uppers. I had to buy 2 kits to have two colors.

The following is a list of steps when using the Rustoleum cabinet transformation kit.


  1. Buy the kit

  2. Get the paint tinted if you choose

  3. DE-grease your cabinet doors and the face of your cabinets

  4. Remove any hardware, I left the hinges because, they were on the back side of the doors and i didn’t paint the back of the doors (saving time and supplies this way) and nobody sees the back of the doors anyway.

  5. I put number stickers on the back of the doors and remembered my starting place, this made it easy when I replaced the doors.

  6. Paint the doors you may want to use a paint sprayer, I didn’t because I didn’t have one. It does look nice when they are sprayed. I was going to antique them so it didn’t bother me that they weren’t sprayed.

  7. Paint the cabinet faces and don’t forget the kick-plate.

  8. You will want to do 2 light coats.

  9. Antique if you choose at this point, it is as simple as ragging on the stain provided and wiping it off . I stained my cabinets pretty heavy.

  10. When the stain is dry seal it with a clear coat.

  11. When sealant is dry put your doors back on

  12. Add your hardware

  13. Pat yourself on the back! YOU DID IT!

The 2nd Method

This was a much faster process as far as the number of steps go but the drying time needs to be about twice as long. This time around I used a primer and paint. Here is the paint I used in the color INKED.


You can get it in any color you can imagine.

As far as the primer goes, you can use any in-door primer you have on hand or that might be on sale, just make sure it is completely dry before you paint. Steps for this method are as follows:


  1. Give your cabinets a good scrubbing with hot soapy water. I wouldn’t use household cleaners they might leave a film and your paint won’t adhere.

  2. Number your doors so you know where to replace them

  3. Take your hardware off

  4. Prime the doors, cabinet face and kick-plate

  5. Let your primer dry completely

  6. Paint your doors, cabinets and kick- plates 2 light coats

  7. Let this paint dry for at least 36 to 48 hours

  8. Replace the doors

  9. Replace the hardware

  10. Stand back and be proud of the job you did.


I recommend using a sprayer with this paint, but practice practice practice, you will want to make sure you get it on evenly. When doing the cabinet faces I used the smoothest roller I could find and it worked great!



I wish you so much success with this project! Take a deep breath go slow. don’t let this project intimidate you and remember, Its just paint.

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