Whether you’re renovating your kitchen or just looking to update the look of your existing cabinets, deciding if you need to sand them before painting is an important consideration. Proper preparation is key to achieving a smooth, professional finish that will hold up over time. Here’s what you need to know about sanding kitchen cabinets before painting.
Why Sanding is Recommended
Sanding before painting serves several important purposes:
- Removes existing finishes – Most manufactured kitchen cabinets have a laminate, varnish, or other coating applied to them. Sanding will remove this existing finish so the new paint can properly adhere.
- Smooths the surface – Sanding eliminates any bumps, drips, or imperfections in the wood. This allows the paint to go on evenly.
- Opens the pores of the wood – Scuffing up the wood grain gives the paint something to grip onto. This leads to better adhesion.
- Removes grease and dirt – Kitchen cabinets can accumulate a lot of greasy grime. Sanding gets rid of any contaminants that could interfere with paint bonding.
So while sanding cabinets before painting requires more time and effort, it leads to a much smoother, more durable finished product. Many experts consider it a mandatory step.
What to Use for Sanding Kitchen Cabinets
Having the right sandpaper is important for effective sanding. Here are some good options:
- Orbital sander – This power sander quickly and easily smooths large surface areas on doors and cabinet boxes. Use 120-150 grit paper.
- Hand sanding blocks – For detail sanding around edges and hardware, hand blocks with 120-220 grit paper work well.
- Sanding sponges – Sponges make quick work of sanding molded cabinet trims. Look for fine or medium grit.
Always start with a more coarse grit sandpaper (120-150) to remove the existing finish, then smooth with a finer grit (180-220). Be sure to thoroughly clean cabinets of any dust when done.
Areas to Focus On When Sanding
Certain areas of kitchen cabinets require extra attention when sanding:
- Door frames and cabinet box fronts – Thoroughly sand the large flat areas to ensure an even finish.
- Trim pieces – Lightly sand any decorative trim, taking care not to remove details.
- Cabinet doors – Sand both the door fronts and edges. Pay attention to edges where paint may drip.
- Hardware – Remove cabinet hardware and sand around screw holes. This prevents future cracking or peeling.
- Corners and crevices – Use sanding sponges to smooth hard-to-reach areas.
Don’t forget the cabinet interiors! Sanding them well will give paint a surface to adhere to.
How Much to Sand Kitchen Cabinets Before Painting
You don’t need to strip cabinets completely bare before painting. According to DIY experts, there are three degrees of sanding:
- Light – Just a quick scuffing to rough up the surface. Good for vinyl or laminate cabinets.
- Medium – More thorough sanding to remove some existing finish. Ideal for varnished or stained wood.
- Heavy – Removes all previous finishes, stains, and sealer. Best for well-worn cabinets with thick existing coatings.
Unless cabinets were finished with a high-gloss paint previously, a medium sanding should provide sufficient “tooth” for the new paint. Talk to a paint specialist about the right level of sanding for your cabinets’ current condition.
Do You Have to Sand Kitchen Cabinets Before Painting?
While sanding is recommended, technically it is possible to paint over existing cabinet finishes in some situations:
- Unfinished wood or MDF cabinets do not require sanding before priming and painting.
- For light wear cabinets with minimal grease buildup, a deglosser or liquid sander can prep the surface instead of sanding.
- Thermofoil and molded plastic laminate cabinets only need a cleaning before painting since they have a non-porous surface.
However, most professionals warn that skipping sanding risks poor paint adhesion or an uneven finish. The extra effort is worthwhile to ensure your painted cabinets look flawless and last.
Steps for Sanding Kitchen Cabinets
Follow these steps for smooth sanded cabinets ready for paint:
- Remove cabinet doors, shelves, and hardware. Start with doors laid flat.
- Wipe cabinet surfaces with a degreasing cleaner if needed.
- Choose sandpaper grit suited to your cabinets’ current condition.
- Using an orbital sander, sand fronts and sides of cabinet boxes.
- Lightly hand sand trim, edges, and corners. Watch for drips.
- Thoroughly wipe away all dust with a tack cloth.
- Clean and sand cabinet interiors and shelves.
- Inspect for any rough spots; sand again if needed.
- Once thoroughly sanded, topcoat immediately so wood doesn’t reabsorb grease.
- Apply primer within 48 hours before moving on to paint.
With the right tools and technique, sanding kitchen cabinets doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Taking the time to properly prepare your cabinets will ensure your fresh painted finish comes out looking flawless.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I sand cabinets before priming?
Yes, it’s important to sand cabinets thoroughly before applying primer. This allows the primer to bond directly to the bare wood rather than sitting on top of an existing finish. Proper sanding leads to much better adhesion.
What grit sandpaper should I use on kitchen cabinets?
Start with 120-150 grit sandpaper to remove the existing finish, then smooth with 180-220 grit. For unfinished cabinets, 120-150 grit is usually sufficient before priming.
How much sanding is needed before painting cabinets?
Most cabinets only need a medium sanding to rough up the surface and remove some of the existing coating. Sanding heavily down to bare wood is usually overkill.
Can I just scuff sand kitchen cabinets before painting?
For some surfaces like thermofoil, a light scuff sand is all that’s needed. But for wood cabinets, more thorough sanding is best to ensure the paint adheres properly.
Will painting cabinets without sanding cause problems?
Painting over glossy or finished cabinets without sanding can lead to the paint chipping, peeling, or rubbing off. Not properly sanding risks poor adhesion.
Conclusion
Sanding kitchen cabinets before painting is a vital step in achieving a smooth, lasting finish. While it does require some extra work, it removes existing finishes, evens the surface, opens the wood grain for better adhesion, and removes grease and grime. Investing time in proper sanding leads to beautiful, professional looking results. Use the right tools, focus on key areas, and don’t skimp on the prep work. Your freshly painted cabinets will look amazing for years to come with a durable finish that holds up to busy kitchen life.