How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets with a Sprayer Like a Pro (DIY)

Ditch the idea of replacing your old kitchen cabinet.  Why don’t you transform your cabinet into a new one by getting rid of the old paint and replacing it with new ones? 

In this guide, I will teach you how to paint your kitchen cabinet with a sprayer. You are also going to learn expert tips, and insider techniques on how to make your kitchen cabinet look brand new. 

All you need to do is stick around and follow my instructions to get the results you desire.

Why do you need to spray paint?

Before we even go into how to paint your kitchen cabinet with a sprayer, you must ask yourself this question. 

Why A SPRAY PAINT…?  

The short answer is that it makes your work easier and allows you to cover areas much faster than your average brush. 

Painting your kitchen cabinet is a huge job, if you have a huge kitchen it’s even going to be difficult if you are using a brush. The job a paint spray can cover in 2 hours can take you 8 to 9 hours to cover with your average brush. 

Spray paint also makes finished work look very neat without having some brush marks on your cabinet making the work look very untidy.

It can also save you some money. When it comes to painting your kitchen cabinet, sprayers require less paint than your typical, average brush. 

In other words, even with the same number of coats, you get even coverage but use less paint.

 I would like to point out that if you don’t know how to use a sprayer properly, you will make a huge mess of your kitchen cabinet.

That’s why it’s advisable to cover where you don’t want the paint to touch. This is the only downside of sprayers, as your average brush won’t leave you with too many messes to clean up.

Now we have taken care of that, let’s talk about the steps of how to paint kitchen cabinets with a sprayer like a pro.

Gather Supplies and Materials Needed For Spraying

Before we decide to spray paint our kitchen cabinet, these are the essential materials you will need to ensure a smooth process and high-quality results.

Spray paint gun: You will need an HVLP (High Volume, Low Pressure) one. I recommend it because it would give you absolutely what you want – a smooth and even finish with less overspray. 

Air compressor: Since I said that you need HVLP spray guns, you will also want to look for air compressors that match the requirements of your spray gun. Don’t worry, the specifications are always listed in the spray gun manuals. Air compressors make the spray gun atomize paint and create a consistent flow for a smooth finish.

Paint: You will need a good bonding primer and also a cabinet paint. Primers are essential for adhesion and durability. For cabinet paints, you need to choose either acrylic latex or oil paints. Most of the time, oil paints are more considered because of their smooth finish and they also last longer.

Sandpaper and sanding sponge: Use them to sand detailed areas to make them smooth before applying the paint. A 320-grit sandpaper will serve you. 

Cleaning supplies: This includes a degrease(TSP), rags, bucket, paint brush, and vacuum. These items would be used to remove grease, and clean and wipe down the surfaces. 

Protective gears: This is the most important material you need. Your safety should be your priority. For these you need a respiratory tank to protect your lungs, a safety glasses to protect your eyes from paint debris, and a glove to protect your hands from the chemicals and also the paint stains.

Masking materials: You need plastic wrap to cover the counter, floors, and home appliances. A painter’s tape to mask the area you don’t want your paint to reach, and rosin paper to protect your floor from paint drops or oversprays.

Paint strainers and mixing sticks: The paint strainers are for removing paint lumps before painting, while the sticks are for stirring and mixing the paint thoroughly and evenly. 

Miscellaneous Tools: You will need a screwdriver to remove the cabinet doors, hardware, and drawers. A labeling system to label each door with its corresponding hardware so you won’t mess up the settings. Drop rags are pretty obvious, and are used to protect your work space from paint.

Cover The Surrounding Area

Before you start spraying your cabinet with paint, cover the surrounding area. It saves you from messing things up and spares you the heartache of seeing paint plastered on places that are not meant to be. 

Use your plastic wrap to cover the entire floor beneath the cabinets and extend it to a few feet away for extra protection to prevent paint spillage. Remember to move any appliances out of the way to avoid dosing them with paint. For the immovable ones, use your plastic wrap and tape to securely seal shut the enclosure. 

For the wall, use plastic wrap and tape to create a neat border around the backlash and the wall where it meets the cabinet. It is down firmly to secure the wall.

Set Up A Workspace For Spraying

After you have securely sealed the surrounding area, you need to set up your workspace. Find a well-ventilated area. Some people prefer the outdoors. 

Also, consider timing and season.

 If you are spraying on windy days, overspray can travel as far as possible. It would result in unwanted paint splatters, and you will need to clean up later.

Ensure that the spot you choose to set up your workspace is close to your project to make the spraying materials handy and easily accessible for a smooth workflow.

Remove Kitchen Cabinet Doors and Hardware

I know what you are thinking.” This is so much work!!”, trust me you need to do this to avoid a tacky job. By removing the kitchen cabinet doors and hardware, you’ll have full access to the surface of the cabinet. This would ensure that paint touches every nook and cranny. 

When you remove the hardware, it makes your job a lot easier, making sure that it doesn’t get coated in paint. Painting them could affect appearance unless you don’t mind having the same color as the cabinet knobs, handles, and hinges. 

It also helps you to set up a controlled area where you can contain the overspray and manage it easily. This means that when you are spraying your kitchen cabinet, only the intended spaces are painted, giving you a smooth and refined finish. 

Clean The Surface Of The Cabinet

After you have removed the kitchen cabinet doors and hardware, the next step is to clean the surface of the cabinet. You need to wipe down the cabinets using your dry rag to remove loose dust and debris. 

This step prevents dirt from spreading when you use the wet solution. In a bucket, mix the degreaser (TSP), and follow the instructions written on it to avoid mistakes. 

This is very important, remember to wear your protective gear to avoid skin irritation. TSP tends to be harsh on the skin. 

Dip one rag or scrubbing brush inside into the solution you mixed and start scrubbing the cabinet surface. Pay more attention to the areas above the stove handles, where grease tends to accumulate. 

After scrubbing the cabinet, rinse thoroughly with clean warm water. Use a clean rag to wipe down the surface to remove any residue of TSP. It’s important as any trace of it can affect the paint. 

Use a dry rag to thoroughly dry the surface, and ensure that there is no trace of moisture left, a slight dampness can heavily affect the primer application. If you are not sure, allow it to air dry at least for an hour to ensure moisture evaporation. 

Sand the cabinet

Sanding the cabinet is one of the crucial steps before spraying your kitchen cabinet. It ensures that the surface is smooth and can hold paint effectively. To make this work, ensure that all the surfaces, including the corners and edges, are evenly sanded to avoid inconsistencies when you want to apply the paint.

If your cabinet has holes or cracks in them, use wood fillers to cover them, and allow them to dry completely before sanding.

When you are satisfied with the results, use a vacuum to remove as much dust from the surrounding areas as possible. Use a rag to clean the remaining dust. This step is important as dust particles can affect the finish.

Prime The Kitchen Cabinet

Pour your primer into a disposable bowl and use an angled brush to apply it around the edges, hardware, and corners.

For flat surfaces, a foam roller would make your job easier and faster. Dip the roller in the primer, shake off excesses on the bowl, and apply the primer with light pressure.

Yes, you can add a second coat to your cabinet, but it depends on its condition. You coat it the second time if you aren’t satisfied the cabinet was coated properly. 

But you need to let the first coat dry before applying the second one.

Prepare The Paint Sprayer

You need to thoroughly stir the paint to get the perfect mix. Pour the paint through a good strainer to prevent clumps that could clog the spray nozzle.

Familiarize yourself with the sprayer controls, adjusting patterns, air pressure, and paint flow. 

Clean any paint splatters on the sprayer with a rag soaked in solutions recommended for your paint type. If you are using an oil-based paint, it’s recommended you use mineral spirit. Water is recommended for latex paints.

Spray The Kitchen Cabinet

This is where you test what you have learned so far on how to paint kitchen cabinets with a sprayer. 

Before you spray your kitchen cabinets, protect yourself from paint fumes and overspray. Wear your respirator, safety goggles, and gloves. If you have a hazmat suit, wear it.

Ensure you put a drip rag to collect overspray, maintain a safe distance of 12 inches between the spray and the cabinet, and start spraying. Move gently, spraying with even motion across the surface, overlapping slightly with each pass.

To get the perfect result, apply several thin coats of paint with each pass, rather than trying to achieve full coverage in one thick coat. The thin coat prevents drips, runs, and uneven finish.

 I mentioned earlier that you need to remove the cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware before spraying. This allows you to spray all sides effectively without missing a spot and also avoid paint build-ups in the hinge areas. 

Remember to mask off the hardware to prevent paint from getting to them.

Allow it to dry very well before applying the next coat if it’s needed. If the cabinet did not dry before you applied the second coat, it will never have a smooth finish.

Sand Between Coat

Sanding between coats is an important step if you want to achieve a professional finish when painting your kitchen cabinet. To make this work, ensure that the first coat of paint is dried. 

Use the 220-320 grit sandpaper to sand between coats. This sandpaper will smoothen the surface of the cabinet without removing too much of the underlying paint or primer.

The aim of sanding between the coats is to smooth out any imperfections, such as brush strokes, drips, or dust particles that weren’t removed earlier. It’s not for removing the paint.

After sanding, you should remove all the dust thoroughly using a vacuum with a brush attachment. Use a damp cloth to remove the remaining fine particles from the cabinet to avoid interference with the adhesion of the next coat. 

Apply Extra Coats

Once you are satisfied that the surface of the cabinet is spotless, apply the extra coat of paint. Ensure that you spray in a uniform application to avoid a distorted appearance. 

Allow the paint to dry completely before deciding if the cabinet needs another set of paint. 

Reattach Doors and Hardware

Since you labeled your doors and hardware before painting, match each door and piece of hardware to its original location. This ensures that everything fits perfectly and reduces the need for adjustments.

Make use of screwdrivers or drills to make things faster, and be careful not to over-tighten the screws. They could strip the wood or damage the hinge.

After you have reinstalled the doors and hardware, cross-check to make sure that everything fits properly.

Clean The Sprayer and Tidy Up

You can’t leave your workspace messy after spraying your kitchen cabinet. It might be exhausting… trust me, but that’s the only way to maintain your equipment and ensure that your workspace is neat.

Turn off your sprayer and unplug it. Disassemble it according to the instructions from the manufacturer. Pour the remaining paint mixture into its original container or a separate container if you mix one or two colors to get the desired paint color.

Soak the spray gun and the nozzle in a cleaning solvent to loosen the dry paint. Use a toothpick or a brush to remove any paint residue from its surface. 

Reassemble the spray gun, and add the cleaning solvent in the paint container instead of the paint. Turn on the sprayer to run the solvent through the system until it comes out completely clean. 

This action flushes paint out of the interior components. Repeat it with clean water if the cleaning solvent you used is not water. Allow all the parts to dry and store in a cool dry place, ready for next use. 

Gather your waste and dispose of it. Pack your remaining tools, clean, store, and dry them.

Inspect your workspace to ensure everywhere looks neat. 

FAQs on how to paint kitchen cabinets with a sprayer

Can I use a spray gun to paint a kitchen cabinet?

Yes, you can use a spray gun to paint a kitchen cabinet. To be honest, this method is often preferred rather than the traditional brush because it makes the cabinet smooth and gives it a professional finish without brush strokes. 

It also saves time. Let’s say that with a brush paint, you can finish painting in 8 hours. With a sprayer, you can get it done in 2 hours. 

Is it better to spray or roll paint on kitchen cabinets?

When deciding whether to use spray paint or rollers, it depends on your choice, as both have their pros and cons. 

When it comes to spraying, it provides a smooth and professional finish without brush or roller marks. It makes painting detailed areas like cabinet doors with moldings and panels easy. 

It has disadvantages too. You can’t just get up and decide you want to paint your kitchen cabinet with a sprayer. 

You need extensive preparations like masking around areas to protect them from oversprays. The equipment requires additional cost and also cleaning it can be time-consuming.

Rolling paint can give you more control, especially in tight or small areas. You don’t need too much preparation to get started, it requires less masking and protection of surrounding areas and doesn’t cost much. 

The disadvantage is that it is more time-consuming than spray paint. It also requires more paint to achieve an even, smooth, and polished surface. 

Can I spray paint over my kitchen cabinet?

You can spray paint over your kitchen cabinets. Spray-painting is an effective method if you want to have a smooth and professional finish devoid of brush and roll marks.

How do you prep for spray-painting cabinets?

 Gather your equipment, mask off the surface, and areas you don’t want paint to touch. 

Set up your workspace where you would keep your paint and also mix it, it has to be handy so you won’t have to walk a long distance before getting your material. 

Remove the doors, drawers, and hardware for easy painting and accessibility. Clean all the surfaces by degreasing, rinsing, and drying. Sand all the surfaces for adhesion, fill the holes, and sand to make it smooth for painting. 

Remove the dust with a vacuum, use a damp cloth, and wipe out smaller particles the vacuum can’t pick up. Allow it to dry and go ahead with spray-painting. 

Is spraying the kitchen cabinet a good idea?

Yes, spraying the kitchen cabinet is a good idea to get that professional finish you desire, devoid of the tack brush and rolling.

How many coats of spray paint should I use on the kitchen cabinet?

The number of coats of spray paint that you need for kitchen cabinets can vary. It depends on factors such as; the type of paint used, the color, and the condition of the cabinets. If your cabinet is very old with rusty paints, you will need more coats to get your desired finish. 

How long do spray kitchen cabinets last?

The longevity of a sprayed kitchen cabinet depends on various factors like the quality of the materials you use, spraying skills, and maintenance.

A well-sprayed kitchen cabinet can last for many years, up to 10 years or more, with regular cleaning and maintenance. 

For your kitchen cabinet to last that long, there are a few things you need to avoid such as exposure to moisture, and sunlight. Moisture weakens the kitchen cabinet, it can cause swell, wrap, or even rot as time goes on. 

Can I spray paint on the kitchen cabinet without sanding?

You can. But to have your kitchen cabinet finish look professional, you need to sand it to smoothen it. 

Even though it’s recommended that you sand your kitchen cabinet as a preparation step before spraying, there are cases where you can spray your cabinet without sanding. 

If your cabinet is in good condition with no peel, rough surfaces, or holes, you can go ahead with your painting. 

Conclusion 

Painting your kitchen cabinet with a sprayer is the best way to achieve a professional-looking and high-quality finish.

 If you implement what you have learned in this guide, you can transform your entire kitchen cabinet with ease. So grab your sprayer, unleash your creativity, and breathe new life into your kitchen cabinet.