Kitchen cabinets can get covered in grease and steam drips so a stain resistant hybrid alkyd enamel paint might also be good for adding additional protection against potential disasters.

This paint drys with a beautiful matte finish, so you can make rustic or shabby chic looks with this one. Also, no big sanding is needed to use it.

Prime the Cabinets
: Always wash the cabinet before painting or applying primer to it. With age cabinets build up dust, grease and gunk that will make your fresh coat of paint sit poorly. Use a degreaser like Krud Kutter or a trisodium phosphate (TSP) spray. When using degreasers always open the windows and wear protective clothing while working with them; heed safety directions on the package for the best results.

And just like with any painting material, a proper primer is necessary as well. primers don’t all have to be equal – pick a stain-blocking primer when painting over stained cabinets or else it’ll wipe the paint right off! — Other uses, use universal oil-based or 100 per cent acrylic latex primer.

Remove the Cabinet Doors
Cabinets are among the more expensive parts of kitchen remodel but paint is able to bring them back to life for a fraction of the price. Paint will not transform your cabinets overnight into perfect or new ones, but it will give them a new look that many homeowners are pleased with.

Then clean cabinet doors with a degreaser to remove any dirt and oils that could keep new paint from adhering. Remember to work in an area that has good ventilation as degreasers have volatile chemicals.

Alternative: A DAP Blend Stick. This is a multi-functional product that works similar to putty and will seal and smooth hinges. Even has some different colors to choose from for you to choose the perfect one!

Sand the Cabinets
Cabinets should be sanded to get a finish that can stand up to daily kitchen abuse and wear and tear. Sanding removes nicks or chips for a more durable finish, that can endure daily use in the kitchen and the elements.

Edges on doors are destroyed by a too coarse grit of sandpaper, so be careful when choosing a grit. Sand it down to the wood surface or less – enough texture is all you’ll need for new paint to adhere.

You can also use chemical deglossers to prep cabinets for painting, roughing up any existing coating and removing gloss so that primer adheres better and paint sticks better to surfaces.

Make sure to pick a high-impact paint that will work well with the materials of your cabinets and that is water resistant, check for directions on the paint; some require special base coats or brushes.

Prep the Surfaces
Get countertops clear and move all of the mobile furniture such as stools or chairs to another room before you start removing cabinet doors. Empty your cabinets, label each door with sticky notes so you can quickly match it back to its cabinet box when you get it back.

Scratch the cabinets with a sanding block or drywall sander to make them slightly rough so primer and paint will stick better to wood cabinets. Wash them clean of dust and dirt and wipe them with wet towel and start painting.

: Put on the primer as directed and allow it to dry for 24 hours.

Paint the Cabinets
Kitchens are working spaces and your cabinets are subjected to a lot of grease, steam, food spills and daily grime build-up. So before painting start cleaning out the cabinets with one part trisodium phosphate to four parts water and scrub away residue and grease.

Dust edges and seams, rolling big items with oil or latex primer to fix knots and holes that can show through topcoats. That way they won’t run away with them.

Allow primer to dry, and choose and use your preferred paint color. Combine it with your backsplash, counters or wood floors if you can to get the best outcome. Keep track of replacing any hardware that is in need of knobs and pulls – label every door and drawer so they’re all ready to put back together again when the time comes!