How to paint kitchen cabinet doors and furniture

Freshly painted kitchen doors can give you a completely new kitchen for a fraction of the price. The same goes for old furniture. The key is getting the paint to adhere to smooth and greasy surfaces. Here’s how to do it.

In short

• Remove doors and handles, and number them.
• Degrease thoroughly – kitchen grease is paint’s worst enemy.
• Sand matt surfaces, and prime smooth surfaces such as laminate, film and lacquered wood with adhesion primer.
• Apply 2 thin coats of durable wood paint, and allow the paint to cure before using the doors.

What you’ll need

• Caparol Adhesion Primer – primer for smooth and difficult surfaces
• Durable wood paint, such as Caparol PU Satin or B&J PU-Enamel 30 (both gloss 30 and can be tinted)
• A super-smooth wood roller and a good brush
• Sandpaper in grit around 180–240
• Acrylic filler for damage and any old handle holes
• Masking tape, degreaser and cloth

How to do it

1. Remove and number

Unscrew the doors, drawer fronts, handles and hinges. Number the doors with a piece of tape so you know where they go. It’s much easier to paint the doors when they’re lying flat on a pair of trestles.

2. Degrease

Wash all surfaces thoroughly with a degreasing cleaner – including the backs and edges. Rinse with clean water and allow to dry.

3. Repair and sand

Fill any damage and old screw holes with acrylic filler. Sand all surfaces matt with fine sandpaper. The aim is not to remove the surface, but to make it rough enough for the primer to adhere. Dust thoroughly.

4. Prime with adhesion primer

Laminate, film, melamine and glossy lacquered wood need adhesion primer. Apply a thin, even coat. Caparol Adhesion Primer can be overpainted with water-based paint after 12–16 hours.

5. Apply first coat

Roll the paint out with the super-smooth roller, and lightly brush over with a brush in the direction of the wood grain. Paint profiles and edges with a brush. Paint thinly – this gives the smoothest finish.

6. Sand between coats and apply second coat

When the first coat is dry (approximately 8 hours for Caparol PU Satin and B&J PU-Enamel 30), sand very lightly with fine sandpaper to remove dust particles. Wipe down and apply the second coat.

7. Allow the paint to cure

The paint will be dry after a few hours, but needs to cure for several days before it reaches full durability. Hang the doors carefully and avoid heavy cleaning for the first few weeks.

Tips and common mistakes

• The most common mistake is failing to degrease. Paint won’t adhere to kitchen grease.
• Don’t skip the primer on smooth surfaces – the paint can peel off at the first scratch.
• Paint in a dust-free room and wipe the surface with a slightly damp cloth just before painting.
• Test the colour on the back of a door before painting the whole kitchen.

Frequently asked questions

Can I paint laminate and film-coated doors?

Yes, with the right preparation: degreasing, light sanding and a primer designed for smooth surfaces.

Which gloss level is best for kitchen doors?

Gloss 30 is a good choice. It’s durable and easy to keep clean without highlighting imperfections too much.

How long does it take?

Allow 2–3 days including drying time for a typical kitchen – and a few days’ curing before the doors can handle heavy use.