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How Many Coats of Paint Do Kitchen Cabinets Really Need?
Most kitchen cabinets need 1 coat of primer and 2 coats of paint. The primer helps the paint grip the wood. The first coat of paint covers the old color. The second coat makes the color even and builds a tougher finish. One coat tends to look thin and wears through faster on doors you touch every day.
That is how we do it at JT's Painting & Renovations, based in Foley and serving Wentzville. Josh Tillman started JT's as a painting company in March 2011, and painting cabinets has been part of the work from day one. You can see what the job includes on our cabinet refinishing and painting page.
How many coats of primer do kitchen cabinets need?
One coat of a good bonding primer is usually enough on cabinets that are clean and scuffed. Bare wood, dark stains or knots may need extra spot priming so they don't show through.
Paint makers back this up. Benjamin Moore's data sheet for its Advance paint says cabinets should be sanded with 220 grit or coarser before priming. It also says new surfaces should be fully primed.
Why do cabinets need two coats of paint instead of one?
Two coats of paint give full coverage and a finish that cures evenly. Benjamin Moore's cabinet painting guide says a second coat will "give you complete coverage and allow the finish to cure evenly."
Cabinets take more wear than walls. You grab the doors, bump the drawers and wipe them down all the time. A single coat leaves less paint between your hands and the wood.
What are the steps to paint kitchen cabinets?
Cabinet painting is mostly prep, then primer, then two coats of paint. Josh walked through it on the "Your Little Castle Show" on ABC:
"We take the doors outside, we clean them, we scuff them, we clean them again, we prime them, and we add two coats of paint."
Here is the full order Josh described:
- Take apart the cabinets and remove all the hardware.
- Mask off everything that is not getting painted.
- Clean the doors.
- Scuff the doors so the primer can grip.
- Clean them again.
- Prime.
- Add 2 coats of paint.
- Do the same steps on the cabinet boxes.
- Pull the masking, put it all back together and put the hardware back on.
Want more on the prep side? Read why preparation decides the finish.
How long should you wait between coats of cabinet paint?
With a common cabinet paint like Benjamin Moore Advance, you wait about 16 hours between coats. That number is for 77°F and 50% humidity. Here are the times from the Advance data sheet:
| Step | Time (77°F, 50% humidity) |
|---|---|
| Dry to the touch | 4 to 6 hours |
| Ready for the next coat | 16 hours |
| Light use, no heavy wear | 3 to 5 days |
| Full hardness | Up to 30 days |
Other paints have other times. Always check the can.
Does cold fall weather change how cabinets get painted?
Yes. Cold air and high humidity make paint dry and harden slower. Benjamin Moore lists 50°F as the lowest surface temperature for putting on Advance.
In Missouri, mid October is when outside paint jobs start to run out of warm days. Cabinets are an inside job, so late fall and winter work fine. Just keep the house heated to normal living temps while the paint dries. Don't leave doors to dry in a cold garage.
Is painting cabinets cheaper than replacing them?
Most of the time, yes. On the same show, Josh said that most of the time you can paint your cabinets for about a third of what new cabinets would cost. The final number depends on how many cabinets you have and their shape.
If you are torn between the two, read our guide on cabinet refinishing vs. replacement.
FAQ
Can I skip primer if I use a paint and primer in one? On cabinets, a separate bonding primer is the safer pick. Benjamin Moore lists a primer as part of its own cabinet paint system.
Do the cabinet boxes get the same coats as the doors? Yes. Josh's crew does the same steps on the boxes: clean, scuff, clean, prime and 2 coats of paint.
Should the hardware come off before painting? Yes. All the hardware comes off and anything not getting paint gets masked. It all goes back on at the end.
How soon can I use my kitchen after the cabinets are painted? Benjamin Moore says to let cabinets dry at least 24 hours and to skip heavy scrubbing for 5 to 7 days. The paint keeps getting harder for up to 30 days.
Get your cabinets painted this winter
If your cabinets are solid but tired, 2 good coats of paint can make the kitchen feel new. See our cabinet refinishing and painting service, or ask for a free estimate. You can also call Josh at (912) 432-0218.
