{"id":2075,"date":"2023-02-10T16:26:51","date_gmt":"2023-02-10T21:26:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/certapro.com\/grandrapids\/?post_type=community&p=2075"},"modified":"2025-06-18T15:43:02","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T19:43:02","slug":"how-to-paint-kitchen-cabinets-without-brush-marks","status":"publish","type":"community","link":"https:\/\/certapro.com\/grandrapids\/community\/how-to-paint-kitchen-cabinets-without-brush-marks\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Paint Kitchen Cabinets Without Brush Marks"},"content":{"rendered":"

How do you feel when you walk into your kitchen? Besides the occasional \u201cwhy did I come in here\u201d thought; hopefully, you feel happy with the look and feel of your kitchen, especially your kitchen cabinets.<\/p>\n

Your kitchen cabinets are a major fixture in your kitchen. They determine if your kitchen is a cohesive, harmonious meeting place or a heavy, disjointed utility room. Whether you\u00a0refinish or repaint,\u00a0you\u2019re taking a big step in refreshing your home! This project can be time-consuming, so make sure you\u2019re fully prepared so this project goes as smoothly as possible.<\/p>\n

Choosing the Right Paint for Kitchen Cabinets<\/h2>\n

\"Bueche<\/p>\n

The type of paint you choose for painting your kitchen cabinets will change the aesthetic of your kitchen. For example, if you\u2019re interested in staining your cabinets, you\u2019ll need wood staining products to maintain the wood grain look. However, you\u2019ll need latex paints if you are looking to paint your kitchen cabinets.<\/p>\n

Below we\u2019ll go over the performance characteristics of each type of paint to help you decide which is best for your kitchen cabinets.<\/p>\n

Painting with Latex Paint<\/h3>\n

Latex paint is the most popular choice for painting kitchen cabinets due to its affordability and versatility.<\/p>\n

It is still recommended to ventilate your work area when painting with latex paint. In addition, the dry time between coats is a mere 4 hours, with surfaces being dry to the touch in as little as 1 hour.<\/p>\n

On the downside, latex paint is less durable and is prone to chipping after heavy use.<\/p>\n

How To Paint Kitchen Cabinets<\/h2>\n

\"Bueche<\/p>\n

Painting kitchen cabinets is a tedious project, and it cannot be rushed if you\u2019re looking for a flawless finish. Following the steps below, you\u2019ll be closer to beautiful painted kitchen cabinets and a refreshed kitchen.<\/p>\n

Let CertaPro Painters of Grand Rapids get you started!<\/p>\n

Prep Your Space<\/h3>\n

Prepping the space around your cabinets will help the process go smoother and make clean-up a breeze.<\/p>\n

Tape off the edges of your cabinets and your walls. Cover countertops, tables and appliances with a tack cloth or drop cloth to keep them clean and protected. Finally, ensure your area is well-ventilated by opening windows or placing oscillating fans in the room.<\/p>\n

Remove Hardware and Doors<\/h3>\n

\"Bueche<\/p>\n

Your instincts might tell you to paint kitchen cabinets while assembled. But, removing kitchen cabinet doors, drawers and hardware is more efficient.<\/p>\n

Using a screwdriver, remove your kitchen cabinet doors, drawer fronts and their hardware. Remember the cabinet hinges!<\/p>\n

Prep Your Cabinets<\/h3>\n

After removing cabinet doors, knobs, hinges and other hardware, clean and sand your cabinets.<\/p>\n

To cut through grease on your cabinets, use a mixture of Trisodium phosphate (TSP) and water. Use a quarter-cup TSP per gallon of water.<\/p>\n

Fill any dents or holes with wood filler using a putty knife. Finally, use sandpaper to smooth the surface further, ensuring you get into corners and creases.<\/p>\n

Brushing vs. Spraying<\/h2>\n

\"Kale<\/p>\n

As its name implies, a paint sprayer is a tool used to spray paint on a surface, resulting in a flawless, professional finish. A more expensive option, the secret sauce to paint sprayers is in the prep work. The little time it takes to apply the paint is offset by the prep work required to achieve the finished product. We at Certapro Painters of Grand Rapids offer a spray painting method to paint kitchen cabinets on our jobs, providing a beautiful cabinet finish with no brush marks in sight!<\/p>\n

Opting for brushes or paint rollers is the DIY go-to method. It is cheaper and more approachable for the average homeowner. Using brushes to apply paint will give you the antiqued brushstroke look typically seen in older homes.<\/p>\n

Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets<\/h3>\n

Now it\u2019s time to put paint on cabinet boxes, doors and drawers! The first step is applying a thin layer of primer coat to all the surfaces.<\/p>\n

Once the primer has dried completely, you can apply your first coat of paint. Starting with the cabinet box interior, make your way to the outer frame and sides.<\/p>\n

After finishing the cabinet interior, move on to the cabinet doors and drawers. If you\u2019re using a brush, maintain a particular direction to avoid noticeable streaks.<\/p>\n

As you\u2019re working, if you notice any drips or blemishes, use a damp cloth or paper towel to correct these before the paint dries.<\/p>\n

Allow Cabinets to Dry Completely<\/h3>\n

After every coat, you must allow the paint to dry completely. Depending on the type of paint you\u2019re using to paint your kitchen cabinets will determine how long to wait between coats.<\/p>\n