The Big Question: Is It Worth It to paint kitchen cabinets

Introduction

You walk into your kitchen and see the same tired cabinets you’ve stared at for years. New cabinets cost $20,000 or more. A fresh coat of paint costs a few hundred dollars. The math looks simple. But is painting kitchen cabinets actually worth your time and money?

This guide breaks down the real costs, the hours you’ll spend, and the factors that determine if you’ll end up with a kitchen you love or a project you regret. You’ll learn what painting costs, how long it takes, and when it makes sense to pick up a brush or call a professional.

Cost Analysis: DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

DIY Costs

Painting your cabinets yourself keeps costs low, but you need the right supplies to get results that last. Here’s what you’ll buy:

Materials Checklist:

• Primer: $30-$50 per gallon (you’ll need 1-2 gallons)
• Cabinet paint: $40-$80 per quart (alkyd or acrylic enamel works best)
• Sandpaper: $15-$25 (multiple grits: 120, 180, 220)
• Degreaser/TSP: $10-$15
• Brushes and rollers: $30-$50 (foam rollers give smooth finish)
• Painter’s tape: $15-$20
• Drop cloths: $20-$30
• Safety gear: $20-$30 (mask, gloves, eye protection)

Total DIY Cost: $200-$600

The low price looks good. But cheap paint chips within months. You need quality cabinet paint designed for the job. Spending $60 on a quart of good paint saves you from repainting next year.

Professional Costs

Professionals charge more because they handle everything. Their quote includes labor, all materials, complete prep work, and spray equipment that creates a factory-like finish.

What Professionals Provide:

• Full kitchen prep (taping, covering counters and floors)
• Cabinet removal or on-site painting
• Industrial cleaning and degreasing
• Sanding and repairs
• Professional spray equipment
• Multiple coats with proper drying time
• Reassembly and cleanup

Average Professional Cost: $3,000-$8,000

Small kitchens with 10-15 cabinet doors run $3,000-$4,500. Large kitchens with 25+ doors and drawers cost $6,000-$8,000. The price jumps if you want specialty finishes or if your cabinets need repairs.

Cost Comparison:

Time & Effort: The Real Investment

DIY Time Commitment

Painting cabinets takes longer than you think. Most people who start on Saturday expect to finish by Sunday. Then Wednesday rolls around and they’re still waiting for paint to dry.

Real Timeline Breakdown:

Prep Work (Day 1-2): 10-14 hours

• Remove all cabinet doors and hardware
• Clean every surface with degreaser
• Sand all surfaces with 120-grit, then 180-grit paper
• Wipe down with tack cloth
• Tape off areas you don’t want painted

Priming (Day 3): 4-6 hours + 24 hours drying

• Apply primer to all surfaces
• Let dry completely (rushing this ruins everything)

First Paint Coat (Day 4): 4-6 hours + 24 hours drying

• Apply thin, even coat
• Check for drips and runs

Second Paint Coat (Day 5): 4-6 hours + 24 hours drying

• Apply second coat for full coverage
• Some colors need a third coat

Curing and Reassembly (Day 6-13): 3-7 days

• Paint needs time to harden fully
• Reassemble carefully (wet paint scratches easily)

Total Time: 2-4 weekends plus waiting

Prep work eats 75% of your active time. Skip the cleaning and sanding, and your paint peels off within months. The material you’re painting affects how much prep you need.

Professional Timeline

Professionals finish faster because they work full days and use spray equipment. A spray gun applies paint smoother and faster than brushes or rollers. Professionals also have dedicated spray booths or tent systems that speed up drying.

Professional Schedule:

• Day 1: Remove doors, prep and clean
• Day 2: Prime everything
• Day 3: First paint coat
• Day 4: Second paint coat
• Day 5: Cure and reassemble

Your kitchen stays out of service during this time. You can’t cook or access your dishes. Some homeowners set up a temporary kitchen in another room.

Pros and Cons: Weighing the Decision

Critical Factors for Success

Cabinet Condition

Not all cabinets should be painted. The structure underneath needs to be solid.

Good Candidates for Painting:

• Solid wood cabinets (shaker style cabinets paint beautifully)
• Quality plywood with wood veneer
• MDF kitchen cabinets in good condition
• Cabinets with smooth, intact surfaces

Poor Candidates for Painting:

• Peeling laminate (paint won’t stick)
• Particle board that’s swollen from water damage
• Cabinets with deep scratches or gouges
• Thermofoil that’s bubbling or separating

Check the construction before you buy paint. Open a cabinet door and look at the exposed edge. If you see wood grain, you can paint it. If you see plastic coating or chipboard, painting won’t work well.

The style matters too. Raised panel cabinets have more detail to paint around. Flat panel cabinets or slab cabinets go faster because you’re painting smooth surfaces.

Quality of Materials

The paint you choose determines how your cabinets look and how long they last. Cabinet paint isn’t the same as wall paint. Cabinets get touched constantly. Doors get opened and closed hundreds of times. You need paint that stands up to this.

Best Paint Types:

• Alkyd (oil-based) paint: Levels out smooth and dries hard. Smells strong and takes longer to dry. Best for durability.
• Acrylic enamel: Water-based but formulated for cabinets. Less smell than alkyd. Dries faster. Almost as durable.
• Cabinet-specific brands: Benjamin Moore Advance, Sherwin-Williams ProClassic, or Behr Alkyd work well.

Don’t buy regular wall paint. Don’t buy the cheapest option at the store. Cheap paint stays soft and shows every fingerprint. It yellows over time. Quality paint costs $40-$80 per quart. You use 2-3 quarts for an average kitchen. Spending $200 on paint instead of $60 makes a huge difference.

Primer matters just as much. Use a bonding primer designed for cabinets. This helps paint stick to glossy surfaces. Some primers block stains from bleeding through. If you’re painting over dark wood or cabinets with grease stains, a good primer prevents discoloration.

Proper Prep

Prep work separates good results from bad ones. You can use the best paint available, but if you skip prep, the paint fails.

Cleaning Process:

1. Remove all doors and hardware
2. Wash every surface with TSP (trisodium phosphate) or a strong degreaser
3. Scrub around handles where grease builds up
4. Rinse thoroughly and let dry completely

Sanding Steps:

1. Lightly sand all surfaces with 120-grit sandpaper
2. This removes the glossy finish so primer can grip
3. Don’t sand through the wood or veneer
4. Follow with 180-grit to smooth everything out
5. Wipe down with a tack cloth to remove all dust

Skipping the degreasing step causes the most failures. Kitchen cabinets collect cooking oil in the air. This invisible film stops paint from sticking. You need to remove it completely.

Some people try liquid sandpaper (deglosser) instead of actual sanding. This works on some surfaces but not all. Real sanding gives more reliable results.

Conclusion

Painting kitchen cabinets is worth it when your cabinets are structurally sound, your budget is tight, and you have the patience to do proper prep work. You save massive amounts of money compared to replacement. But the process demands time and attention to detail. If your cabinets are falling apart or made of poor materials, painting just delays the inevitable. Consider contacting AJ Flying for custom cabinet solutions that give you a factory finish without the DIY headaches. As a top China cabinet manufacturer, AJ Flying creates quality cabinets built to last.