How to Paint Wooden Kitchen Cupboards

The kitchen is where most of the family gathers as well as visitors. You want the kitchen to look good at all times, especially the wood kitchen wooden cupboards but the budget does not always allow this. Painting the kitchen cupboards is a cheaper alternative to updating them.

How to Paint Wooden Kitchen Cupboards

Materials Needed

• Screwdriver


• Drop cloth


• Old sheet


• Sawhorses


• Goggles


• Paint scraper


• Bucket


• Mild liquid dish detergent


• Sponge


• Wood filler


• 180 grit sandpaper


• 220 grit sandpaper


• Sponge


• Primer


• Paint stirrer


• Latex paint


• Polyester paintbrush

1. Use a screwdriver to remove the doors and all hardware from the cupboards. Take everything out of the drawers, if you will be painting the inside of them. Remove the shelves if they are removable. Most people only paint the outside of the cupboard.


2. Place a drop cloth on the floor so paint does not spill on it. Place an old sheet over all the furniture and any areas that you do not want paint to drip on.


3. Set the doors across two sawhorses. Put on goggles to protect your eyes from the flying paint chips. Use a paint scraper to remove any loose paint.


4. Fill a bucket with water and mild liquid dish detergent. Use the cleaning solution and a sponge to clean the doors and the rest of the cupboard. Rinse the cupboard doors and any other parts you plan to paint. Allow the items to dry.


5. Apply wood filler to all holes or scratches using a plastic scraper. Allow the filler to dry. Sand over the filler with 180 grit sandpaper so the filler is as even as possible with the rest of the doors and cupboard.


6. Use 220 grit sandpaper to sand over the entire surface of the doors and any other parts of the cupboard that will be painted. Wipe away the sanding particles with a damp sponge. Allow the surfaces to completely dry.


7. Remove the lid from a can of primer. Mix the primer with a paint stirrer. Apply the primer over the doors and any other parts of the cupboard using a paintbrush. Allow the primer to dry. Drying times will vary according to the brand of primer.


8. Open a can of latex paint and mix it with a paint stirrer. Apply the paint with a polyester paintbrush. Cover the doors and all parts of the cupboard that you want painted. Allow the paint to fully dry. Replace the doors, shelves, drawers and all hardware.