How To Sand Cabinets for Painting: A Complete Guide
Sand your cabinets for a stylish new look
If your dream cabinets look like a picture in a magazine, but in reality, they look like something from another time period, it’s time to paint your cabinets. But before you grab that paintbrush, learn how to sand cabinets for painting to create a smooth, clean finish. Our guide will show you how to sand cabinets for painting.
Why Do I Have to Sand Cabinets for Painting?
Although it may seem like a tedious extra step, sanding your cabinets before painting makes a difference in the final product. There are many benefits to sanding your cabinets before painting, including:
Creates a smooth finish
Removes the wood grain, which has a rough texture
Holds primer and paint better, making paint less streaky
Prevents chipping after painting
Smoothes away imperfections, such as scratches, dents, and gaps
Helps smooth the surface after applying wood filler
Removes dust and debris that can get caught in wet paint
How Much Does It Cost to Sand Cabinets for Painting?
You can expect to pay between $4 and $10 per square foot for cabinet refinishing. Cabinet refinishing includes stripping, cleaning, sanding, and painting or staining your cabinets. Keep in mind that your price will include multiple refinishing services, not just sanding.
How to Prep for Sanding Cabinets
Before you start your cabinet sanding project, you’ll want to gather a few tools and supplies. Here’s what you’ll need:
Orbital sander
Fine grit sanding pad
Safety glasses
Earplugs
Dust mask
Vacuum
Cabinet degreaser
Permanent marker
Before you start your sanding project, you’ll need to prep the area by removing all cabinet doors, drawers, knobs, hardware, and hinges. Next, you’ll need a permanent marker and a piece of tape to label each door and drawer so you know where to re-install them after painting. Finally, you’ll need a secure worktable to safely sand your cabinet doors and drawers.
How to Sand Cabinets for Painting
Follow these steps to achieve the perfect sanding job.
Clean the Cabinets
Put on a dust mask and safety glasses, and open the windows for ventilation.
Apply a cabinet degreaser.
Scrub cabinets with a soft brush or microfiber cloth.
Thoroughly remove all dirt, grime, and wax.
Allow cabinets to dry fully before sanding.
Use an Orbital Sander
Have the vacuum or shop vac handy to clean up the dust and debris.
Attach a 220-grit sandpaper disc to the orbital sander.
Turn on the orbital sander and test a corner of the wood.
Apply even pressure and gently sand cabinets, doors, and drawers.
Continue sanding in a back-and-forth motion, going with the grain to avoid swirl marks.
Turn off the orbital sander and remove the sandpaper disc.
Take a damp microfiber cloth and remove the excess dust from the cabinets.
Use a Fine Grit Sanding Pad
Take a 220-grit sanding pad.
Sand cabinetry in a back-and-forth motion, going with the grain.
Start in the center of the cabinet door or drawer and work your way out.
Use the sanding pad to get into the crevices, corners, and grooves of cabinet doors and drawers.
Take a damp microfiber cloth and wipe away the excess dust and debris.
Tips for Sanding Cabinets for Painting
Sanding cabinets for painting is a time-consuming process, and you’ll want to thoroughly sand every nook and crevice so your cabinets have a smooth, clean finish. Here are some tips to ensure the job is done correctly:
Attire: Always wear protective gloves, long sleeves, and long pants before sanding cabinets.
Clean: Thoroughly clean all cabinet boxes, doors, and drawers before sanding.
Wood filler: Add wood filler to any gaps or holes in the cabinets and gently sand over it to blend.
Sandpaper: Use the correct grit sandpaper. If the sandpaper is too rough, it can scratch, dent, and damage cabinets.
Quotes: If you plan to hire a pro, get at least 3 project quotes.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
If you’re handy and have all of the tools and supplies, you can DIY this project. You’ll need to cover the cost of an orbital sander, which runs between $40 and $150. And, you’ll essentially save on labor costs, which run $20 to $50 per hour. However, using an orbital sander can be dangerous, so it may be best to hire a cabinet pro to tackle this task.
The average cost to paint kitchen cabinets is $422 to $1,417—and that includes prep and sanding before painting. So, it gives you a good idea of what you can expect to pay for a professional cabinet refinisher near you. Professional cabinet refinishers will have the tools, skills, and experience necessary to sand your cabinets for painting and make them look brand-new.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, most pros agree that sanding your cabinets before painting is the way to go. Not only does sanding make a smooth, clean finish, but it also holds primer and paint better. However, others debate that you can skip sanding and instead use a liquid sandpaper deglosser—which saves you time, requires less scrubbing, and, of course, leads to less dust.
The easiest way to sand cabinets is to use the correct sandpaper grit with an orbital sander and a sanding pad. Using too coarse sandpaper, such as 320 grit, will make the sanding process much more difficult. Not only can the wrong sandpaper grit make the sanding process take longer, but you also risk permanently damaging your cabinets.
Sanding provides a smooth, even surface perfect for paint application. If you skip sanding your cabinets before painting, the paint can chip easily, and you might have watermarks. And, because the surface won’t be smooth, your cabinets risk having a streaky, messy look. Finally, sanding increases the longevity of your cabinet paint job. So, it's worth it to take the extra step and sand the cabinets before painting.