How to Paint Bathroom Cabinets

Cabinets in the bathroom endure a daily cycle of steam, humidity, and chemical exposure that would ruin standard furniture paint. Painting them correctly requires more than just a fresh coat of color; it demands a rigorous preparation process that turns a porous, factory-finished surface into a receptive canvas for new enamel. When done well, the finish should look factory-smooth, feel hard to the touch, and resist the inevitable dings of daily life. The goal is a durable shell that prevents water from seeping into the substrate, protecting your vanity from swelling and peeling for years to come. This project is high-effort, but the return on investment is immediate and visually transformative.

  1. Label Every Piece Now. Take off all doors, drawer fronts, and hardware, labeling each piece with painter's tape to track its original location. Store screws in separate, labeled bags to ensure reassembly is straightforward.
  2. Eliminate the Invisible Enemy. Scrub every surface with a heavy-duty degreaser or TSP alternative to remove soap scum, hairspray residue, and body oils. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and allow the wood to dry completely before proceeding.
  3. Create the Grip. Lightly sand all surfaces with 150-grit sandpaper to remove the existing gloss and create a 'tooth' for the primer to grip. Wipe away all sanding dust with a tack cloth until the surface is perfectly smooth.
  4. Lock It Down. Use a synthetic bristle brush for edges and a high-density foam roller for flat panels to apply a coat of shellac-based or high-adhesion bonding primer. Ensure an even, thin coat to avoid drips in the corners.
  5. Lay It Smooth. Once the primer is dry, apply two thin coats of waterborne alkyd enamel, allowing for full cure times between layers. Use long, smooth strokes in the direction of the wood grain.
  6. Patience Pays Off. Wait at least 24 hours before reattaching doors and hardware to prevent the paint from sticking or peeling at the contact points. Allow the finish to fully cure for a full week before scrubbing the surface.