Can you paint inside kitchen cabinets? Yes! Painting the inside of your kitchen cabinets is a great way to make them look fresh and clean. It adds brightness and helps protect the wood inside. What is the best way to paint inside kitchen cabinets? The best way involves good cleaning, sanding, priming, and using the right kind of paint. Follow these steps to get a smooth, lasting finish inside your cabinets, just like a pro.
Painting the inside of your kitchen cabinets might seem like a big job. But it is a simple project you can do yourself. It makes a big difference in how your kitchen looks and feels. Old cabinets can look new again inside. A fresh coat of paint helps keep them clean. It also makes them brighter inside, which helps you see what is on the shelves better.
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Gathering What You Need
Getting your tools ready before you start makes the job easier. You need the right things to paint cabinet interiors well.
Essential Tools and Materials
Here is a list of what you will need:
- Cleaning supplies:
- Sugar soap or a good kitchen degreaser
- Sponges and clean cloths
- Buckets
- Sanding tools:
- Sandpaper (medium grit, like 120-grit, and fine grit, like 220-grit)
- Sanding block or orbital sander
- Tack cloth or microfiber cloths for dust
- Repair items:
- Wood filler
- Putty knife
- Masking items:
- Painter’s tape (good quality)
- Plastic sheeting or drop cloths
- Brushes and Rollers:
- High-quality synthetic brush (for cutting in edges and corners)
- Small foam or microfibre rollers (for smooth surfaces)
- Paint roller frame
- Paint tray
- Paint Products:
- Primer (choose the right one for your cabinet material) – needed for Priming kitchen cabinets
- Cabinet paint (a good, durable type) – important for Durable cabinet paint and finding the Best paint for inside cabinets
- Safety Gear:
- Safety glasses
- Gloves
- Dust mask or respirator
Selecting Your Paint and Primer
Picking the right paint is very important for inside cabinets. The inside of cabinets sees rubbing and wear from things put in and taken out.
Best Paint for Inside Cabinets
You want paint that is tough and easy to clean. Look for paints made for cabinets or trim. They are more durable than regular wall paint.
- Water-based cabinet paint: This is often the best choice. It dries fast and cleans up with water. Modern water-based paints are very tough. They do not yellow over time like some old oil paints. This type is great for painting cabinet boxes and shelves.
- Acrylic-latex paint: A good quality acrylic-latex works well. Look for ones labeled as “cabinet enamel” or “trim paint”. These are harder and resist scratches better.
- Hybrid paints: These paints mix qualities of oil and water-based paints. They offer the hardness of oil paint but clean up with water. They are very durable but can be more expensive.
Durable Cabinet Paint Matters
Inside cabinets need paint that can take a beating. Shelves get scraped as items slide in and out. Choose a paint with a satin, semi-gloss, or even gloss finish. These finishes are harder and much easier to wipe clean than flat or eggshell paints. A satin or semi-gloss is usually best. It is tough but does not show every little bump like gloss paint can.
Priming Kitchen Cabinets
Primer is like glue for your paint. It helps the new paint stick well. It also blocks stains and provides a smooth base.
- Water-based primer: Good for general use, dries fast, low odor. Works well over existing paint or clean wood.
- Oil-based primer: Best for blocking stains, covering dark colors, or sticking to tricky surfaces. It smells strong and needs mineral spirits to clean up.
- Shellac-based primer: Dries very fast and seals knots or tough stains completely. Also has strong fumes and needs alcohol for cleanup.
Choose a primer made for cabinets or wood. If your cabinets are stained or have a finish that is hard to paint over, an oil or shellac primer might be better. For already painted cabinets in good shape, a water-based primer is often fine.
Getting Ready to Paint: Prep is Everything
Good preparation is the most important part of painting. Skipping steps here will show in the final paint job. Prep cabinets for painting carefully.
Emptying and Taking Apart
First, take everything out of your cabinets. Remove all dishes, food, and other items. This is a good time to clean inside the cabinets thoroughly later.
If you can, remove the cabinet doors. This makes it much easier to paint the inside of the cabinet box. You can also remove the shelves. Painting shelves separately is often easier and gives a better finish. Label shelves and doors so you know where they go back.
Deep Cleaning the Interiors
Kitchen cabinets collect grease and grime. Paint will not stick to dirty surfaces. Clean the inside surfaces very well.
- Mix your cleaner (like sugar soap) with water following the product directions.
- Use a sponge or cloth to wash down all surfaces inside the cabinets.
- Pay extra attention to corners, edges, and areas near the stove. Grease hides there.
- Rinse with a clean cloth and fresh water.
- Let the cabinets dry completely. This may take some time. Make sure they are totally dry before moving on.
Any grease left will stop the paint from sticking. Cleanliness is vital here.
Fixing Holes and Bumps
Look for any holes, dents, or chips inside the cabinets. Fill them with wood filler.
- Use a putty knife to push the filler into the hole or dent. Make it slightly higher than the surface.
- Let the filler dry completely. Drying time is on the product’s instructions.
- Once dry, sand the filled spot smooth. Use fine-grit sandpaper.
Sanding Cabinet Interiors
Sanding helps the new primer and paint stick better. It roughs up the surface just a little. It also smooths out any small bumps or rough spots. This step is key for painting cabinet interiors well.
- Use medium-grit sandpaper (like 120-grit) first if the surface is very smooth or has old, shiny paint. This helps “give the surface some tooth”.
- Use fine-grit sandpaper (like 220-grit) to smooth the surface after fixing holes or after the first sanding. Sand everything inside the cabinet gently.
- You do not need to sand down to bare wood unless the old finish is peeling badly. Just lightly sand all surfaces the paint will touch.
- Sand fixed spots until they are perfectly smooth with the rest of the surface.
Cleaning Dust After Sanding
Sanding creates dust. Dust is the enemy of paint. It will make your paint finish rough.
- Use a vacuum with a brush attachment to get most of the dust out.
- Wipe all surfaces with a tack cloth. Tack cloths are sticky and pick up fine dust.
- You can also use a slightly damp (not wet) microfiber cloth. Let the surface dry completely before painting.
Make sure no dust is left before you prime or paint. Run your hand over the surfaces. If you feel dust, clean again.
Taping Off Areas
Use painter’s tape to protect areas you do not want to paint.
- Tape the edges where the cabinet box meets the wall.
- Tape any hardware you cannot remove.
- Put down drop cloths on the floor to catch drips.
Good tape work gives you clean, sharp paint lines.
Priming: The Essential First Layer
Do not skip priming kitchen cabinets. Primer makes a huge difference in how your final paint looks and lasts.
Why Primer is Needed
- Sticking: It helps the paint stick firmly to the cabinet surface.
- Blocking: It blocks stains, knots, or old colors from showing through the new paint.
- Smoothness: It helps create a smooth surface for the paint coat.
- Evenness: It makes the final paint color more even and true.
Applying the Primer
Apply primer to all inside surfaces you plan to paint. This includes the cabinet boxes and the shelves if you removed them.
- Stir the primer well before starting.
- Use a brush to get primer into corners, edges, and any tight spots.
- Use a roller for the larger, flat areas. Using roller to paint cabinets helps give a smooth, even coat. A small foam roller works well inside cabinets.
- Apply a thin, even coat. Do not put it on too thick. This can cause drips.
- Work from top to bottom.
- Let the primer dry completely. Check the product can for drying times. It often takes a few hours. Do not rush this step.
- Some surfaces might need a second coat of primer. If the old color is showing through or you had stains, a second coat is wise.
Once the primer is dry, lightly sand it with fine-grit sandpaper (220-grit or higher). This smooths out any small bumps or roller marks in the primer. Clean off all dust again with a tack cloth. Now your cabinets are ready for paint.
Painting the Inside: Steps for a Pro Finish
Now for the color! Painting cabinet insides follows a simple order. This is where you apply your Best paint for inside cabinets.
Choosing the Right Paint Finish
We talked about paint types (water-based, hybrid). Now think about the finish level (sheen).
- Satin: Slight shine, durable, easy to clean, hides small flaws better than semi-gloss. Good for cabinet interiors.
- Semi-Gloss: More shine, very durable, very easy to clean. Shows surface flaws more than satin. Also a good choice for high-wear areas.
- Gloss: Very shiny, most durable, easiest to clean. Shows every single flaw on the surface. Usually too shiny for the inside of cabinets.
Most people pick satin or semi-gloss for cabinet interiors. They are tough and easy to keep clean.
Painting Cabinet Boxes
Paint the inside of the cabinet boxes first. Work from back to front, top to bottom. This helps you avoid leaning into wet paint. These are the main Steps to paint cabinet insides.
- Edges and Corners: Use your high-quality brush to paint the edges and corners. Paint about an inch or two away from the corners and edges. This is called “cutting in”.
- Flat Areas: Use a roller for the larger, flat surfaces inside the cabinet box. Use a small roller that fits well inside. Using roller to paint cabinets gives a smoother finish than a brush on flat areas. Roll the paint on evenly. Do not press too hard.
- Smooth Strokes: Roll from one end to the other in one smooth pass if possible. This helps avoid roller marks. Slightly overlap your roller passes.
- Thin Coats: Apply thin coats of paint. Two thin coats are always better than one thick coat. Thick coats take too long to dry and are more likely to drip or sag.
- Check for Drips: Look for any drips or runs right away. Smooth them out with your brush or roller before the paint starts to dry.
- Let Dry: Let the first coat dry completely. Again, check the paint can for drying times. It is often 2-4 hours for water-based paints, but could be longer in humid conditions.
- Second Coat: Apply a second thin coat following the same steps. Two coats provide better color coverage and more durability.
- Dry Completely: Let the second coat dry fully before painting shelves or closing doors.
Painting Cabinet Shelves
Painting cabinet shelves needs care. If shelves are removable, paint them separately. This is often easier. If they are fixed, paint them after the cabinet box.
Painting Removable Shelves
- Paint the edges of the shelf first with a brush.
- Paint the flat surfaces using a roller.
- Paint one side at a time. Let one side dry completely before flipping to paint the other side.
- Apply a second coat after the first is dry.
- Make sure the shelves are completely dry before putting them back in the cabinet. This might take 24 hours or more for the paint to be hard enough.
Painting Fixed Shelves
Paint fixed shelves after you have painted the inside walls of the cabinet box. Paint the underside of the shelf first, then the front edge, then the top surface. Apply thin coats. Be careful not to drip paint onto the finished surfaces below.
Remember to use a Durable cabinet paint for both boxes and shelves. The insides will see a lot of contact.
Using Roller to Paint Cabinets Effectively
Using a roller correctly is key to a smooth finish on the flat parts of your cabinets.
- Right Roller: Use a small roller (like 4-6 inches) with a short nap cover (like 1/4 inch or 3/8 inch). Foam rollers give a very smooth finish but hold less paint. Microfiber rollers hold more paint and also give a good finish.
- Load the Roller: Do not soak the roller in paint. Roll it in the paint tray just enough to cover the nap evenly. Roll it on the tray’s ramp to remove extra paint. Too much paint causes drips and a thick coat.
- Apply Paint: Roll the paint onto the surface using light, even pressure. Work in sections.
- Smooth it Out: After applying paint to a section, lightly roll back over it in one direction (like top to bottom). This helps smooth out roller marks. Do this quickly before the paint starts to dry.
- Overlap: Slightly overlap your roller passes to avoid lines.
Final Touches and Drying Time
You have finished painting! Now comes the wait.
Drying vs. Curing
- Drying: This is when the paint feels dry to the touch. You can add another coat at this point.
- Curing: This is when the paint reaches its full hardness and durability. This takes much longer than drying. Water-based paints can take from a few days up to 3-4 weeks to fully cure.
Do not put items back into the cabinets until the paint has had time to harden. If you put things back too soon, they can stick to the paint or scratch the surface easily.
Wait at least 24-48 hours before putting shelves back and placing items inside, especially heavy things or things that will slide. For the first week or two, be extra gentle. The paint is still hardening.
Remove painter’s tape while the final coat of paint is still slightly wet or after it is fully cured. Pulling it off when it is just dry can cause the paint to peel.
Tips for a Truly Pro Result
- Work in Good Light: Use a work light to see what you are doing inside the cabinets. This helps you catch drips and missed spots.
- Ventilation: Open windows or use fans (pointing away from your work area) to get fresh air moving. This helps paint dry faster and removes fumes.
- Clean Brushes/Rollers: If painting multiple coats or over several days, clean your brushes and rollers well or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap to keep them from drying out between coats.
- Touch-Ups: Keep a little bit of your paint aside for any small touch-ups needed later.
Painting cabinet boxes and shelves on the inside might take patience, but the result is worth it. A clean, brightly painted interior makes your whole kitchen feel better. Using the right prep steps, Best paint for inside cabinets (like a good Water-based cabinet paint), and proper technique for Using roller to paint cabinets leads to a beautiful, Durable cabinet paint finish. Following these Steps to paint cabinet insides ensures a job done right.
Table: Quick Guide to Paint Types
| Paint Type | Pros | Cons | Use For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water-Based Acrylic-Latex (Cabinet/Trim Formula) | Dries fast, low odor, cleans with water, good durability, does not yellow | May need more coats for dark colors, less hard than oil until fully cured | General interior cabinet painting (Best paint for inside cabinets) |
| Hybrid (Alkyd-Acrylic) | Hard finish, good flow, cleans with water, low odor compared to oil | More expensive, can be harder to find | High-durability interior cabinet painting (Durable cabinet paint) |
| Oil-Based | Very hard finish, great adhesion, blocks stains well | Slow drying, high odor, needs mineral spirits to clean, can yellow over time | Tough surfaces, blocking stains (less common for interiors now) |
Frequently Asked Questions
H5 How long does it take to paint inside kitchen cabinets?
It usually takes a few days. This includes time for cleaning, sanding, priming (with drying time), painting two coats (with drying time between coats), and then letting the paint cure enough before putting things back. Prep takes the longest.
H5 Do I need to sand inside kitchen cabinets before painting?
Yes, you should always lightly sand. Sanding cabinet interiors helps the primer and paint stick better. It makes the surface a little rough so the new coats can grip.
H5 Can I use wall paint inside cabinets?
It is not recommended. Wall paint is not tough enough for the inside of cabinets. Items sliding in and out will scratch it easily. Use a paint made for cabinets or trim (Durable cabinet paint).
H5 What is the best color for inside kitchen cabinets?
White or a light color is often best. It makes the inside brighter and helps you see things better. It also looks clean. You can match the outside cabinet color or use a different color for a fun pop.
H5 How do I avoid brush marks and roller marks?
Use high-quality brushes and rollers. Apply thin coats of paint. Do not overwork the paint; apply it and let it level out. For rolling, use a small roller and smooth out your passes lightly before the paint dries.
H5 How long should paint dry before putting dishes back?
Wait at least 24-48 hours after the final coat before placing items back gently. For full hardness, the paint needs several days or even weeks to cure. Be extra careful for the first week or two.
Painting the inside of your kitchen cabinets is a very satisfying project. It gives a clean, fresh look to the hidden parts of your kitchen. By taking the time to prepare well, use the right products like a good Water-based cabinet paint, and paint carefully, you will get a smooth, Durable cabinet paint finish that looks great and lasts. Follow these steps, and you will paint cabinet insides like a pro.