How to Repaint Old Wooden Cabinets

Older wood cabinets are known for their natural beauty. This beauty can improve the appearance of your kitchen. When the cabinets become dull, dingy and dirty, they can make the entire kitchen look worn down. The old wooden cabinets can be repainted to breath new life into them again.

How to Repaint Old Wooden Cabinets

Materials Needed

• Screwdriver


• Sawhorses


• Drop cloth


• Protective gloves


• Water


• TSP or trisodium phosphate


• Cloth


• Putty knife


• Wood filler


• 120 grit sandpaper


• Oil based primer


• Paint stick


• 150 grit sandpaper


• Paintbrush


• Oil based paint

1. Take out all of the items from the cabinets. Use a screwdriver to remove the hinges. Remove the cabinets and take off all of the hardware. Place the hardware and hinges in a safe place for later.


2. Place the cabinets across two sawhorses. Make sure a drop cloth is underneath the area. Open the windows and doors so the area is well ventilated.


3. Put on protective gloves. Fill a bucket with 1 gallon of hot water. Add ¼ cup of TSP or trisodium phosphate to the water. Scrub the cabinets with the cleaning solution and a clean cloth. Pour out the cleaning solution and rinse the bucket and cloth.


4. Fill the bucket with clean water. Use a clean cloth and the clean water to completely rinse the cabinets. Allow the cabinets to dry.


5. Use a putty knife to fill any holes, scratches or chips with wood filler. Scrape the putty knife across the surface to remove any excess filler. Allow the putty to dry for two hours.


6. Sand the cabinets with 120 grit sandpaper. Make sure you smooth down the wood filler. Use a damp cloth to wipe the cabinets and allow them to dry.


7. Open a can of oil based primer and blend with a paint stick. Allow the primer to dry for 24 hours. Sand the surface with 150 grit sandpaper. Wipe the cabinets with a damp cloth and allow them to dry.