How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets White

Cabinets take more abuse than any other surface in the home, subjected to constant grease, steam, and heavy traffic. Painting them white can completely transform a tired kitchen, but success relies entirely on the quality of your surface preparation. If you skip the heavy lifting now, the paint will chip or peel within months. Done well, a white cabinet finish should feel smooth, hard, and clean. You are looking for a factory-like aesthetic that resists yellowing and wipes clean easily. This process requires patience, specifically when waiting for proper dry times, but the end result will anchor your kitchen design for years to come.

1. Organize Hardware First. Remove all cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and hardware. Label each door with a piece of painter's tape on the inside hinge hole so you know exactly where it belongs later.
2. Strip Away Years of Grime. Scrub all surfaces with a heavy-duty degreaser or TSP substitute. Kitchen cabinets hold years of invisible oil, and paint will not stick to a surface that isn't surgically clean.
3. Rough Up the Surface. Lightly sand all surfaces with 120-grit sandpaper to remove the existing gloss. You aren't trying to strip the wood, just create enough texture for the primer to bite.
4. Seal for Superior Adhesion. Use a stain-blocking, water-based bonding primer. Apply a thin, even coat using a high-density foam roller for flat areas and a synthetic bristle brush for edges.
5. Lay the Foundation Coat. Apply a thin first coat of waterborne alkyd enamel using a high-quality mohair or foam roller. Keep the brush strokes to a minimum, using the roller to smooth out any texture.
6. Perfect and Seal the Finish. Once dry, lightly buff the surface with 220-grit sandpaper to remove any nibs or dust particles. Wipe clean and apply the second and final coat of paint.