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The Easier Way to Paint Kitchen Cabinets

When we moved into our home these cabinets were so orange I couldn’t wait to paint them! But it felt like it was such a big project I put it off for about 3 years..and then decided to do it when I was 8 months pregnant!

To get started I wanted to be prepared so I would search different techniques about how easy it can be using certain products that you don’t need to prime or sand the cabinets, no prep, and everything else.

Orange stained Oak Cabinets Before

It seemed too good to be true. So I decided to search actually painting cabinets the RIGHT way.

I wanted the paint to last and not flake off etc. The cabinets are in great shape, just orangey oak that I hated.

before picture of orange oak cabinets in a kitchen

I was dreading the whole process but I knew it had to be done. I was also dreading the time it would take to paint the cabinets using a brush and roller.

Then, HomeRight offered me a Finish Max Paint Sprayer. It was like the clouds parted, the sun was shining and I could rejoice!

HomeRight Finish Max Paint Sprayer

Being 8 months pregnant, and painting cabinets was not going to be an easy feat. But armed with the right tools (and the best Mom) I could make it a whole lot easier.

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Supplies For Painting Cabinets:

While I was doing my research, one of the things that was being repeated was labeling the hardware as you take it off.

separating cabinet Hardware in plastic bags

When we took down each cabinet door, we used painters tape to mark the door, and to mark individual Ziplock bags. for the hardware. 1ut = Cabinet 1, Upper Cabinet, Top Hardware.

When all the cabinets were off my Mom used the deglosser on all the cabinets and frames. We actually did 2 coats on each door. We figured it couldn’t hurt and took no time at all. This takes all the shine away. It’s literally a liquid sander. My mom was great. She volunteered to do the inside painting and deglossing because I was pregnant and didn’t want to use a chemical or paint indoors.

Painting Cabinets DeGlosser

I’m sure she appreciates this photo of her deglossing the frames.

Now it was primer time and time to set up my paint sprayer.

Home Right has this awesome paint shelter that came in so handy. It kept out the flying bugs, and any debris flying around the yard.

Homeright Sprayer Kitchen Cabinets

I set it up in the middle of our back yard and I got to work, peek my large preggo belly!  Using a paint sprayer you might need to thin the paint for even coverage. Check the instructions on the sprayer and how to do it on the actual paint can. For the primer I used two coats on each side. I thought they looked pretty good with just the primer!

Painting Kitchen Cabinets Primer

When choosing which type of paint to go with I choose Benjamin Moore’s Advanced Line of paint. It dries to a rock hard finish and doesn’t need any type of top coat. It’s also slow drying so the finish is smooth with no streaks. I have done so many projects with this paint since and it’s still my favorite!

Benjamin Moore Advance Paint for Cabinets

Using a paint sprayer I think is a must do when trying to paint cabinets. I can’t even imagine how long it would take doing them all by hand. Because of the drying time, it took 2 full days to actually paint the cabinets.

Painted Oak Cabinets

I love how much brighter the kitchen is, how it blends more with the rest of my decor. I would love to makeover the whole kitchen, but for now I’m just glad that this task is crossed off my list!

Painted Kitchen Cabinets After
White cabinets Benjamin Moore Advance

Check out how they lasted one year later…

Painted Kitchen Cabinets

I can’t believe I did the kitchen 6 years ago! It has been through even more of a transformation and the cabinets still look great! Here is what the kitchen looks like now and links to the projects!

dining room pictured with links to projects

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Donna Gedvilas

Wednesday 26th of May 2021

This is the best paint ever. I painted my kitchen cabinets. And now have done all my cabinets in our motor home. Fabulous results!! And easy to work with. Just take the recommendations time between coats!! Love love this paint!!

Kathleen

Saturday 3rd of October 2020

Hello. Great job on cabinets!!! How is the paint holding up? I would like to do my cabinets. Thank you.

Mary

Monday 3rd of August 2020

You did a beautiful job in your kitchen. I have a few interior doors to do. They were stained with Minwax. The color is special walnut. There is No clear coat/varnish over the stain. The doors are 6 panel pine. Should I use Bin as the primer, before the Benjamin Moore Advanced? Did you use satin or semi-gloss on your kitchen cabinets? Thank You.

HOMEGIRL

Sunday 9th of August 2020

Yes use a primer. I believe I used Satin.

pam

Sunday 26th of July 2020

if you had not already did back splash , use some self stick tiles and give the room some color or make it lighter . and i would removee the wavy trim over the kithen sink, would look more updated

HOMEGIRL

Monday 27th of July 2020

This post a few years old. We have taken the back splash down as well as taking off the wavy trim!

Sarah

Wednesday 21st of August 2019

Hi there! Thanks so much for posting. My hubbie and I are preparing to paint our cabinets this weekend! How and with what did you thin the BM Advance paint?

HOMEGIRL

Wednesday 21st of August 2019

I thinned it with water. It should say on the paint can how much to thin it, or go by the guide in your sprayer..and if you're not using a sprayer don't thin it.

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