HOW TO PAINT CABINETS WITHOUT SANDING

Easy steps on how to paint cabinets without sanding and without removing doors. With a little prep work and technique, you will have a new looking cabinets in no time.

A before picture of a kitchen. With wooden cabinets and drawers.

Recently I spoke to a seasoned painter friend about how to paint cabinets without sanding and removing the doors. To my surprise, he said his technique is perfect because he doesn't sand or remove the doors unless he has to repair an area.

So I thought I couldn't keep this good information to myself so here are the steps to painting stained cabinets without sanding.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a commission if you make a purchase using the links below. All opinions are all my own.

How to Paint Cabinets without Sanding or Removing Doors

Now before we go shopping you will need to select a paint color. With hundreds of colors to choose from you might need some help on how to pick a paint color.

If you are thinking of using a white color and you have anything that is white in your room then pick a color that is a good match with the countertops, large appliances or backsplash.

We have a post on the best Sherwin Williams white for cabinets colors as a starting point if you are picking white.

There are many white colors too so if you don't have to match a white then some popular Sherwin William white paint colors are Alabaster, Snowbound, and Pure White.

If you are looking for a color then start with my popular Sherwin Williams paint colors post and my popular Sherwin Williams cabinet paint colors post. This is a good place to start.

Now let's grab those supplies and get started.

What supplies do you need to paint cabinets?

Dropcloths
Cleaners like Krud Kutter or white distilled vinegar (mainly to clean grease off of cabinets around the stove. The deglosser will do most of the cleaning work)
Rags
Paintable caulk if you plan to fill any holes
Deglosser or lacquer thinner
Sanding sponge 60 grit (this is for after you paint the primer)
White Oil-based primer (we recommend Cover Stain)
2 1/2″ White hair china bristle paintbrush (for oil-based paint)
4″ Wooster mohair shed-resistant roller
Mini paint try for roller
Latex paint (we recommend Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel Latex) (Use satin sheen for matte finish cabinets or semigloss which has a little sheen)
Fine bristle paintbrush (Purdy 2 1/2″ sash stiff or Wooster 2 1/2″ sash firm)
Odorless mineral spirits to clean brush (we trashed our white hair china bristle brush because it cost about the same to buy mineral spirits so why not buy another brush)
Ladder
Screwdriver to remove hardware (I use a Ryobi impact driver)

Now that you have all your supplies let's get started.

Remove Hardware

Before you begin cleaning, remove all your hardware and pads on the doors. It is much easier to paint over the holes than to paint around the hardware.

If you plan to install new hardware and it is a different size make sure to paintable caulk the holes twice and then smooth it over with sandpaper.

If you plan to remove your cabinet doors make sure to keep them in order from left to right. It also helps to put something under the doors when you paint them laying down, I recommend a drop cloth.

Last, if you plan to keep the same hinges you can spray paint them to make them look new again. If you have exposed hinges and you want then to blend in with the cabinets spray paint them the same color as the cabinets.

They are removing hinges from kitchen cabinets with a power drill, getting ready to paint them.

How to Clean Cabinets for Paint

It is important to clean your cabinets, especially where there is grease. Simply use a degreaser like Krud Kutter to clean your cabinets. Another option is white distilled vinegar. Simply wet a rag with full-strength vinegar and wipe down the cabinet. Let it sit for 10 minutes and then rinse it off.

If you use a degreaser like Krud Kutter, take a damp rag and spray the cleaner on the cabinets, then wipe the rag across the cabinets and rinse with clean water.

The deglosser will do most of the cleaning work so mainly focus on anywhere there is grease and remove the grease off the cabinets.

Deglosser or Lacquer Thinner

Your next step needs to be done in small areas. Wipe on the deglosser on one cabinet door or two at a time. Simply wipe the deglosser onto the stained wood and let dry 5 minutes.

Wiping down cabinets with liquid sandpaper/ degreaser to get the grease off of the cabinets to clean them before painting.

Do not let the deglosser sit more than 5 minutes before starting the next step.

Wiping down the cabinets before getting ready to paint to have a clean surface for the best paint job.

Oil Based Primer

Next, using the mini shed-resistant roller apply a thin coat of the primer. Repeat the deglosser and oil-based primer step on the next door and so on until you have painted all the doors and frames.

Applying primer to the cabinet door, drawers, and bases before painting. Getting into all of the cracks to make sure the paint has a nice base.

If your roller has missed any areas use the white china hair paintbrush to apply the paint thinly. Now, wait two hours before the next step.

Taking a china hair paint brush and filling in all of the spots the roller missed.

Note: put a fan in a window or door to pull the fumes outside.

Sanding

Next, grab your 60 grit sanding sponge and lightly sand the primer. This smooths down the primer for the last steps. After you sand it a little brush off any grit.

Latex Paint

The best paint for paint cabinets is Emerald urethane trim enamel latex so grab your 2 1/2″ sash firm paintbrush and start applying the latex paint.

The Emerald Paint can with paint dripping down the side with the paint brush on top of it.

Depending on how dark the stain was under your oil-based paint you will at least need to apply two coats. Maybe even three coats but rarely.

Once you have applied one coat of the latex paint wait two hours at a minimum before applying the next coat and so on.

Painting the first coat of paint on to the cabinet door, on top of the primer.

Can you believe that this is all you have to do to get a professional look for painted cabinets? Now we only have to put the hardware back on, clean up, and enjoy the cabinets.

The cabinets back on the hinges with missing handles waiting to be put on.

Conclusion

After you have finished painting go ahead and clean up your space. If you plan to clean the china hair bristle paintbrush soak it in mineral spirits. Then move the paint down the brush as the mineral spirit flows through your fingers.

Pour out the mineral spirits and fill the bucket again to repeat the process. Keep doing this until the paint is gone from the brush. To really get the paintbrush clean you'll probably use most of the mineral spirits.

See why I would rather toss the paintbrush and buy another?

Also if you plan to remove the cabinet doors make sure you keep them in order or mark them somehow so you can place them back where they belong.

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and find it helpful. Here are the after shots.

The finished look of painting the kitchen cabinets without sanding them. With a cutting board with strawberries on it.

The final over view of the whole kitchen with the freshly painted white cabinets. With a cutting board with strawberries on it.

What cabinets are you planning to paint?

Happy Decorating!