Painting your kitchen cabinets can give your kitchen a quick and affordable facelift. However, proper preparation is crucial for the new paint to adhere correctly and give a smooth, professional finish. So, do you need to sand your cabinets before painting them?
What Sanding Does
Sanding serves some important purposes when preparing cabinets for painting:
- It removes any existing gloss and roughness from the original cabinet finish or previous paint jobs. Paint adheres much better to a sanded, matte surface.
- It allows the paint to adhere directly to the bare wood. This is especially important if there are areas where the original finish has worn away or is damaged.
- It removes any dirt, grease, or grime that may have built up on the cabinets over time. You want to start with a clean surface.
- It smooths out any bumps, drips, or imperfections in the existing finish. This gives you a flawless base for the new paint.
So in short, sanding gives the new paint something to “grip” onto for better adhesion and a smoother finish.
When Sanding Is Necessary
In most cases, you will need to sand kitchen cabinets before painting them. Sanding provides the ideal surface for the paint. However, there are some exceptions:
- If the existing finish is in very good condition – with no wear, damage, or imperfections – you may be able to “de-gloss” with liquid deglosser instead of sanding. This saves time and effort.
- If the cabinets were professionally sprayed – They likely have a high-quality finish that doesn’t require sanding as long as it’s still in good shape. Scuff sanding to rough up the glossy surface can work.
- If the existing finish is a rich wood stain – You’ll likely want to prime first instead of removing the nice wood grain underneath by sanding down to bare wood.
So in most DIY painting projects, thoroughly sanding the cabinets first is the recommended approach for success. But there are some exceptions where other preparation methods may work.
How to Sand Kitchen Cabinets for Painting
Follow these steps for effective sanding:
Supplies Needed
- Sandpaper with 120-150 grit
- Sanding block or electric sander
- Tack cloth
- Drop cloths
- Safety gear like gloves and a mask
Steps
- Remove doors and hardware. It’s easier to sand with these detached.
- Clean the cabinets. Use a degreaser to remove any grease or dirt.
- Sand in the direction of the wood grain. Use even, overlapping strokes. Don’t leave scratches.
- Sand all surfaces – front, back, sides, and the cabinet frames.
- “Feather” the edges to blend sanded and unsanded areas.
- Use finer grit sandpaper for the final passes. At least 150-grit.
- Clean away dust. Tack cloth works perfectly for this.
- Fill any holes or imperfections. Use wood filler and sand smooth when dry.
- Prime. Now you’re ready to apply primer.
Be thorough in your sanding for the very best results. Don’t leave any unsanded glossy spots.
Sanding New vs. Existing Cabinets
For new, unfinished cabinets you’ll be starting from bare wood. All you need is a quick pass with 120-grit sandpaper to ensure a smooth surface for priming and painting.
For existing painted or stained cabinets, the sanding process takes more work since you’re removing the old finish. Expect to go through several passes of coarse sandpaper working up to 150-grit.
Refinishing existing cabinets has more steps than painting new ones. But with adequate sanding preparation, you can still achieve beautiful results.
Power Sanding vs. Hand Sanding
You can sand kitchen cabinets by hand or use power tools:
- Hand-sanding gives you more control and precision. It’s the safest option for beginners. Use a sanding block for smooth, even strokes.
- Power sanders speed up the process considerably. Random orbital sanders are ideal for this task. But they require experience to control properly and avoid damaging the wood.
Whichever method you choose, wear a dust mask as you generate a lot of fine dust when sanding. Thoroughly finish sanding by hand for the best results.
How Smooth Should Sanded Cabinets Be?
Sand until the existing finish feels smooth and matte to the touch. Scratches from coarse grit paper should be eliminated. You want a minor texture but not deep grooves.
Aim for 150-180 grit smoothness as the final stage. Finer than 150-grit is not necessary and may even cause paint adhesion problems if the surface is too glassy smooth.
Use a work light at an angle to check for any glossy areas you may have missed. De-gloss these spots completely so the new paint bonds well.
Tips for Sanding Kitchen Cabinets
Follow these tips as you sand in preparation for painting:
- Always sand in the direction of the wood grain – never against it. This avoids deep scratches.
- Use a sanding block for hand sanding. It gives you good grip and control.
- Change the sandpaper frequently as it gets clogged with old paint and finish. Fresh sandpaper cuts better.
- Number or label each door and drawer to keep them in the correct place.
- For curved and carved details, wrap sandpaper around a piece of soft scrap wood.
- Wipe often with a tack cloth to remove lingering dust.
- Work in a well-ventilated space and wear a respirator mask to minimize dust inhalation.
FAQs About Sanding Cabinets for Painting
Do you have to sand cabinets if using primer?
Yes, it’s still important to sand thoroughly before priming. Primer adheres much better to a roughened, matte surface free of gloss and flaws.
What grit sandpaper is best for painting cabinets?
Start with 120-150 grit to remove the existing finish, then do a final pass with at least 150-grit. 150 to 220-grit papers are ideal for preparing cabinets for paint.
Can cabinets be painted without sanding?
It’s not recommended. Sanding helps the paint bond tightly, especially on glossy surfaces. The finish may eventually peel or chip without sanding first.
Should you sand cabinets before or after removing doors?
Doors are easier to sand thoroughly when they are detached from the cabinets. Sand doors and drawer fronts before removing them.
How can you tell when cabinets are sanded enough before painting?
They will feel smooth and matte with no visible scratches or glossy areas. Run your hands over all surfaces to check smoothness. The wood itself shouldn’t show through.
Conclusion
Sanding is a crucial first step in the cabinet painting process. While time-consuming, proper sanding leads to long-lasting, beautiful results. The painting job goes much quicker when you don’t have to deal with peeling or chipping down the road due to inadequate surface prep.
Be sure to sand kitchen cabinets completely before painting or priming for best adhesion and a silky smooth finish. Pay attention to detail in the sanding steps for a flawless, professional-looking DIY paint job. With some effort and patience, you can transform the look of your kitchen affordably.