How to Paint Cabinets Without Sanding

Painting kitchen or bathroom cabinets can completely transform the look of your space. The crisp, fresh finish revitalizes worn, dated cabinets and allows you to change color schemes. While sanding down surfaces is typically advised for achieving smooth, long-lasting results, the messy process also creates a lot of dust and extra work. With the right preparation and application methods, you can skip sanding and still get beautiful, durable painted finishes. This guide covers proven techniques for how to paint cabinets without sanding and achieve flawless professional-quality results.

Clean Surfaces Thoroughly

The key to ensuring painted surfaces adhere properly is starting with an ultra-clean, grease-free base. Thorough cleaning removes residues from cooking oils, dirt, grime, or waxes that can cause peeling issues down the road. Here are some tips:

Clear countertops and remove cabinet doors and drawers to allow full access to interior surfaces. Remove hinges and hardware as well.
Wash all surfaces with a degreasing soap like TSP substitute and rinse well. For heavy grease buildup, use a liquid degreaser like Krud Kutter.
Scrub surfaces with an abrasive sponge or scouring pad to lift any grime. Rinse and dry completely.
Use denatured alcohol on a clean cloth to wipe away any last traces of grease or residue.

Investing time in thorough cleaning ensures the new paint job bonds tightly and withstands daily use.

Apply Deglosser to Slick Surfaces

For cabinets with an existing glossy paint, varnish, or polyurethane finish, deglossing etches the slick surface so new paint adheres better. Using a liquid deglosser or manually sanding down glossy areas gives the paint something to grip. Lightly degloss laminates too.

How to Degloss:

Apply a deglossing liquid as directed and let sit for 15-30 minutes. These contain mild acids that etch glossy areas.
Wipe off residue then scrub with an abrasive sponge in the direction of the wood grain.
Sand lightly by hand if needed on stubborn glossy spots and wipe clean.
Vacuum up all dust thoroughly after deglossing.

Deglossing opens up glossy coatings and reduces the need for extensive sanding. Always test in an inconspicuous spot first. Proper deglossing is vital for smooth, durable painted finishes.

Fill Any Holes and Imperfections

Since you’ll be skipping sanding, take time to fill any small dents, cracks, or holes with spackle for a seamless look.

How to Fill Small Imperfections:

Dab on lightweight spackle and tool so it’s flush with surface. Allow to dry completely.
Sand gently by hand if needed then wipe away excess dust. This fine-tunes any uneven patches.
Use spackle formulated for wood for best filling results without shrinkage or cracking.
For laminates, avoid standard spackle which can lift the paper coating. Opt for an adhesive filler instead.

Smoothing flaws and dents before painting keeps them from showing through the new finish. Take care not to oversand repairs. Filling imperfections gives a near-flawless base.

Apply Quality Primer

Primer creates vital adhesion between the raw cabinet surface and new paint. It blocks stains, provides a uniform base tone, and helps paint stick tight with fewer coats needed.

Choosing the Best Primer:

For wood, use an oil-based primer. It seals the wood grain and provides excellent grip for the new paint.
On laminates, acrylic water-based primer works well to avoid lifting the paper coating.
Opt for a spray-on primer for the most convenient application and professional-level smoothness.
If brushing, use a high-quality bristle brush and apply in thin, even coats.

The right primer saves time and ensures durable results. Tinting primer close to your final paint shade gets a head start on coverage. Applying primer properly is a crucial first step.

Remove Doors for Easier Handling

Detaching the cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware allows you to paint the box frames and surfaces separately for easier handling. Number doors and drawers to ensure proper re-installation later.

How to Remove Cabinet Doors and Drawers:

Use a screwdriver to carefully remove any visible hinge screws, usually located on the inside of cabinet frames.
To release hidden hinge clips, insert a thin object like a butter knife into the hinge notch and press the tab to release each door.
For drawers, remove any screws holding runners and slide out carefully to detach completely.
Label hardware and parts so everything is easily reassembled later after painting.

With components detached, you can paint the interior cabinet boxes first. Then lay doors flat to apply finish coats efficiently. Taking doors off makes the painting process much simpler.

Apply Paint in Thin, Even Coats

The key to achieving a flawlessly smooth painted finish without sanding is applying several thin, even coats. Thick coats tend to sag and run, exacerbating any imperfections.

Tips for Proper Paint Application:

Use high-quality paint formulated for cabinets, such as semi-gloss enamel, for maximum durability.
Opt for satin, eggshell, or gloss sheens over flat for tougher, scrubbable finishes.
Brush on initial coats using a premium bristle brush. Thin coats reach details better.
Follow with sprayed finish coats for optimal smoothness and consistency.
Lightly sand glossy areas between coats with 220 grit paper to help bonding.
Allow proper dry time between coats as specified by manufacturer.

With adequate dry time and sanding between layers, thin coats combine to create a durable, professional-looking finish free of brush marks or uneven textures.

Maintain Proper Ventilation

While skipping extensive sanding minimizes dust, proper ventilation when painting still matters for safety and results. Prevent fumes from accumulating and allow adequate airflow for drying.

Ventilation Tips:

Open windows and use exhaust fans to keep fresh air moving through the workspace.
Position fans to direct fumes away from the area while paint dries.
Install an exhaust fan ducted outside if painting extensively in an enclosed area.
Use spray paints outdoors or in a ventilated garage to allow fumes to dissipate.
Follow all safety precautions recommended by the paint manufacturer.

Ensuring ample airflow makes the application process safer and also speeds drying time. Ventilate until all paint odors clear completely.

Spray the Finish Coats

While brushing works for the primer and initial coats, spray painting provides the most seamless, professional-looking finished texture on cabinets. Investing in a paint sprayer is well worth it for larger cabinets jobs.

Advantages of Spray Painting Cabinets:

Achieves a smooth, factory-finish look free of brush marks
Allows an even application of thin coats from all angles
Sprays hard-to-reach corners and edges evenly
Minimizes imperfections by filling in crevices and cracks
Applies at a faster rate compared to brushing

Practice spray technique on scrap materials first to get the hang of operating the sprayer and applying controlled coats. Spray painting the final one or two coats takes your cabinet makeover to the next level.

Use Painter’s Tape for Crisp Edges

Applying painter’s tape before spraying provides super sharp painted edges along cabinet frames, countertops, and tiles. The tape cleanly separates surfaces to prevent drips, runs, or bleeding.

Applying Tape for the Best Results:

Run tape along all adjacent surfaces to mask off areas before painting.
Press tape edges down firmly to prevent seepage. Double up tape if needed.
Remove tape immediately after spraying while the paint is still wet to avoid pulling up dried paint.
For extra sharp lines, run a utility knife along taped edges after removing tape.

With proper taping techniques, you can skip the tedious step of manually taping off each cabinet edge. Tape keeps the job neat and contained.

Reinstall Doors and Hardware

Once fully dry, finishing up is a breeze by reattaching the doors, drawers, and hardware you detached earlier. Your freshly painted cabinets get a seamless upgraded look.

Refinishing Touches:

Allow all painted surfaces to cure fully as specified before reassembly to avoid damage.
Screw hinges and slides back into place using original hardware holes.
Reattach any handles, knobs, or pulls using silicone adhesive if needed.
Buff away any dried paint seepage or uneven edges with fine sandpaper.
Touch up any minimal imperfections with matching paint.
Seal painted surfaces with polyurethane for added protection if desired.

With all components seamlessly reattached, step back and admire your like-new, revitalized cabinets!

Troubleshooting Common Paint Problems

If you encounter any painting issues along the way, here are some quick troubleshooting tips:

Problem: Paint dripping or running

Solution: Allow more dry time between coats. Apply thinner coats.

Problem: Brush marks visible

Solution: Switch to high-quality bristle brush. Follow with sprayed finish coats.

Problem: Paint peeling or chipping

Solution: Ensure surfaces are clean and deglossed. Allow adequate dry time between coats.

Problem: Uneven texture

Solution: Add thinner finish coats until smooth. Sand lightly between coats.

Problem: Flakes or bubbles in paint

Solution: Stir paint thoroughly before and during use. Filter sprayed paint.

With some minor adjustments, you can troubleshoot any issues for flawlessly smooth pro-level results.

FAQs About Painting Cabinets Without Sanding

Is sanding completely necessary before painting cabinets?

Sanding is not absolutely vital with proper preparation. Thorough cleaning, deglossing, priming, and using high-quality paint allow for skipping extensive sanding. Lightly sanding between finish coats helps smoothness.

What preparation is needed before painting over existing cabinet finishes?

Ensure surfaces are grease-free. Degloss slick areas. Fill any chips or flaws with spackle. Apply penetrating primer. Lightly sand glossy spots between coats. Proper prep ensures good adhesion.

What kinds of paint work best for long-lasting results on cabinets?

High-quality cabinetry-specific enamel paints or urethane paints deliver the toughest, most durable finishes. Opt for satin, eggshell, or semi-gloss sheens over flat paint.

Is it okay to just paint over existing cabinet stains or clear coats?

No, existing finishes should be deglossed first by either sanding lightly or applying a deglossing liquid and scrubbing thoroughly to ensure proper paint adhesion.

What are some disadvantages to skipping the sanding step before painting cabinets?

Without sanding, any existing flaws or imperfections in the doors and frames will likely remain visible. More coats of paint may be required for full coverage as well.

Will brush marks be visible if cabinets are painted without spraying?

Brushing may leave subtle streaks in the final finish. Combining careful brushing technique on early coats followed by spray-painted final coats provides the best results without spraying entirely.

Transform Your Space With a Painted Cabinet Makeover

Follow these pro tips to take your kitchen or bathroom cabinets from dull and dated to fresh and flawless. With diligent preparation and application methods, paints beautifully adhere and flow on smoothly even without extensive sanding. The finished glossy coated surfaces breathe new life into your home while skipping the dust and hassle of sanding. Achieve magazine-worthy results and save time using these techniques for how to paint cabinets without sanding. You’ll love the beautiful makeover!