Cabinet painting is a cost-efficient and time-efficient way to update your kitchen without replacing the cabinets themselves. It's a great project to tackle yourself or hire a professional for, but there are a few things you need to know before you get started. 1. Prep the Area You'll want to prepare your work area for cabinet painting by cleaning and drying the floor and countertops with a degreaser solution, as well as using a plastic tarp over windows, fixed appliances and doorways. This will protect the surfaces and prevent dust from accumulating in areas you can't reach. 2. Prime the Surfaces You need to primer every surface, including all interior and exterior trim, so that the paint will adhere evenly and smoothly. You can choose an oil-based or 100 percent acrylic latex primer and tint it to match the color of your topcoat. If your wood cabinets are heavily stained, you may need to use a stain-blocking primer, which dries fast and seals knots and other defects that could bleed through your paint. 3. Brush the Primer on the Surfaces Using a paintbrush, apply primer to each piece of cabinet or door. You'll need to do this in thin, even coats and allow the primer to dry between coats. 4. Then, Paint the Surfaces Once you've applied the primer, it's time to paint the surfaces with your chosen cabinet paint. You'll need to do this in several thin, even coats and allow the paint to dry between coats. 5. Sand the Cabinets and Doors Once your primer is completely dry, sand the surfaces with a fine-grit sanding sponge or coarser 100-grit sandpaper. https://www.icaruspropainters.com/ It's important to sand the cabinets and doors gently, because they'll absorb more paint than the rest of the cabinets. 6. Finish with a Thin Coat of Paint You'll need to paint your cabinet and doors in thin, even coats for the best results. It's a good idea to sand between coats, but be sure to sand the edges and tight spots with a sanding sponge or coarser 100-grit paper. 7. Use a Smooth-Surface Mini Roller This is a paintbrush with a very smooth surface that allows it to glide across the surface of your cabinets easily. Be sure to cover the brush and roller sleeve with plastic bags before you begin painting, to avoid hardening the primer on your brushes and rollers as they wait for the first coat to dry. 8. Do it Right the First Time The key to getting a perfect finish is to paint the cabinets and doors properly the first time, which means you have to take the extra steps of prepping them correctly and allowing them to fully dry between coats. Once you've completed this task, your cabinets and doors should be perfectly sanded and ready for paint. 9. Select a Good Quality Paint The best cabinets and doors look their best with a quality paint that covers well, dries quickly and provides a consistent finish. Your choice of paint can make all the difference in how your finished project turns out, so research it carefully. You'll need to find a company that offers the paint you want, at the price you can afford and has experience working on your particular type of cabinet.