How do you properly paint stained cabinets for a long lasting, professional finish?
Painting cabinets is by far one of the most difficult and technical types of painting work. It requires mastery in spraying, brushing, and cutting around cabinet boxes, along with knowing exactly how much paint to apply. At Jose’s Painting, we start every cabinet project with a deep degrease to remove oils, residue, and kitchen buildup that can block adhesion. Next, we scuff sand the surfaces to break the gloss and open the pores for primer. For stained wood, we use a high quality alcohol-based or oil-based primer, which seals knots and tannins so they do not bleed through the new finish. After priming, we sand again lightly to ensure a perfectly smooth surface.
The next step is applying the topcoat, using premium cabinet-grade products such as Sherwin Williams Gallery Series or Benjamin Moore Cabinet Coat. These coatings are formulated for cabinetry and deliver a durable, furniture-like finish that resists chips, moisture, and fingerprints. A great cabinet finish comes from knowing the process and executing it with precision. Not every painter can do it correctly. It takes skill, patience, and control with the sprayer and brush to produce a flawless, factory-smooth look that transforms your kitchen or bathroom and lasts for years.
