Can you paint over varnished kitchen cabinets?
David Craig
Updated on April 07, 2026
Can you paint over varnished kitchen cabinets?
To paint over stained wood you have to remove the varnish with either sandpaper or a deglosser. Follow up with a couple coats of paint and you’re done! That’s all you need to transform your old glossy wood trim or to update your kitchen cabinets with a fresh coat of color.
How do you prepare a varnished cabinet for painting?
Before you paint varnished cupboards, you must remove the high-gloss finish. You may do this either of 2 ways: Take an orbital sander to cabinet surfaces you plan on painting, and sand them down until they are no longer shiny. Wipe the dust off with tack cloth.
Can I paint straight over varnished wood?
You can paint over varnished wood as long as you use the right materials and painting process. The best paint to use is a water-based acrylic one. If you’re using an oil-based paint only use an oil-based primer, not an acrylic one.
What to do before painting varnished kitchen cabinets?
Prepare the cupboard surfaces for painting. Before you paint varnished cupboards, you must remove the high-gloss finish. You may do this either of 2 ways: Take an orbital sander to cabinet surfaces you plan on painting, and sand them down until they are no longer shiny. Wipe the dust off with tack cloth.
What kind of primer do you need to paint kitchen cabinets?
If you use this product on your kitchen cabinets you will need to use a suitable primer. We have Dulux Primer & Undercoat for wood and also Dulux Difficult Surface Primer for those tricky to paint surfaces. Before launching into how to paint kitchen cabinets, what type of feeling would you like to bring to the hub of your home?
What are the steps to painting kitchen cabinets?
Steps for Painting Cabinets 1. Prep the room. A successful paint job lies in diligent prep work, and the first few steps are focused on prepping the room and cabinets for painting. Start by emptying the cabinets, clearing off the counters, and removing any freestanding appliances. Relocate tables and other furniture to another room.
Do you need to sand kitchen cabinets before painting?
Because of the exceptional adhesion of bonding primers, sanding may not be necessary for most clean, paintable surfaces. I always encourage scuff sanding to promote further adhesion. Once you have established good bonding, you can prime the entire surface.
What is the best brand of paint for cabinets?
Sherwin-Williams is often cited as the best paint brand for kitchen cabinets and interior painting. You get numerous categories like clear sealers and topcoats, enamels, miscellaneous coatings, pigmented topcoats, powder coatings, primers, stains and attractive glazes.
How do you paint a painted cabinet?
Mix the paint thoroughly with a wooden paint stick. Apply the paint, working in long, straight strokes. Cover the entire surface of the cabinets, doors and drawers. Allow the paint to dry according to manufacturer’s directions. Apply a second coat using the same technique.
How do you paint finish cabinets?
Steps Prepare the metal cabinet for painting. Select the paint you will use on the cabinet. Remove the drawers from the cabinet. Place the cabinet outdoors away from other objects. Shake the spray paint can and the primer well before applying. Prime the cabinet with a color coordinating primer. Apply the top coat of paint.