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Discover the cost to paint kitchen cabinets, including average prices, cost factors, and tips to help you budget and save on your next kitchen update.
How to Strip Paint From Cabinets for a Clean Slate
A little sweat equity goes a long way for this DIY project
Get quotes from cabinet refacers and refinishers near you
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Get quotes from cabinet refacers and refinishers near you
No obligation · 100% free
SKILL LEVEL
Intermediate
COMPLETION TIME
1 day
COST
$50–$100
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
- Screwdriver
SUPPLIES
- Sheet protectors
- Tape
- Paint brush
- Paint tray
- Paint stripper
If the paint on your kitchen or bathroom cabinets is peeling, don’t fret—there’s a good chance you can salvage them by learning how to strip paint from cabinets. It’s a DIY project that’s perfect for experienced or beginner DIYers since it doesn’t require a ton of tools or expensive supplies. If you’re willing to put in a little elbow grease, you can have cabinets with a clean surface in a day or two by following our guide.
Prepping to Strip Paint From Cabinets
The work of preparing to strip paint from cabinets is almost equally as important as the paint-stripping process itself. Follow these prep steps for a successful painting project.
Wear Protective Gear
The best way to protect your eyes, hands, and lungs while stripping paint is to wear protective gear such as gloves, a mask, and glasses or goggles. This step is especially important if you’re using a solution that is made with methylene chloride, which is a chemical that can burn your skin on direct contact.
Set Up a Work Space
Most paint-stripping solutions contain caustic chemicals that give off a strong odor, so you’ll want to set up a workstation in a well-ventilated area like a garage or outdoor area where other members of your household won’t be exposed. You will likely need a table to set the cabinet doors on and access to a sink or water hose.
Cover Flooring and Appliances
Like the need to protect floors when painting, you’ll need to take measures to prevent floor damage from stripping paint. Whether your workstation is in a separate space or not, you’ll still need to put down a layer of paper or plastic on the floors and appliances in your kitchen so that they’re not affected if paint stripper goes astray when you’re applying it to the cabinet frames. You’ll also want to move your refrigerator away from the area, if possible, to avoid damage during the project.
Remove Cabinet Doors
Photo: zhihao / Moment / Getty ImagesUsing your screwdriver, remove your cabinet doors and their hinges from the bases so that you can strip the paint on a flat surface. Once you remove all cabinet doors, lay them flat on a table and give each one a quick wipe down so that you’ll have a clean slate to apply the paint stripper on.
Apply Paint Stripper
Put on your gloves, goggles, and mask and pour your paint stripper of choice into the paint pan. Take your paint brush and dip it into the pan, then brush a thick layer of the solution on your cabinet door. Repeat this process for each door, then repeat the steps on the cabinet frames in your kitchen.
Cover Cabinets With Wax Paper
If you’re pressed for time or want to speed up the lifting process, you can cover each cabinet door in wax paper. This method helps the paint evaporate and bubble up more quickly so you can get to the fun part—scraping!
Scrape Off Paint
Photo: SashaMagic / Adobe StockAfter the paint starts to bubble up, remove the wax paper, then take your plastic scraper and begin scraping the old paint off of the cabinet door and frames. Make sure you use a plastic scraper and not a metal one, since metal can leave behind scratches that will affect the quality of the cabinets. If multiple layers of paint have been applied in the past, you may need to apply more paint stripper once you’ve scraped off a few layers.
Sand and Clean the Cabinets
Once you’ve stripped all of the paint off of the cabinet doors and frames, sand the surface of each down lightly with very fine grit (150 to 220) sandpaper. Then, clean them off with a wet washcloth and your favorite dish soap. Once all doors and frames have been sanded and rinsed off, they should have a clean slate for new paint or staining.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Stripping paint from cabinets is a manageable DIY project with the right tools, but it will cost your sweat equity and time commitment. If you want to ensure high-quality results for your cabinet makeover, consider hiring a cabinet painting company to do it for you. You can expect to pay around $90 an hour for labor, which can add up if you have a large kitchen or older doors with layers of paint to remove. The good news is that you can hire your local cabinet painter to both strip the paint and apply new coats of paint on top so that you can essentially bundle services and save on costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cabinet refacing and refinishing services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
5.0★ avg. • 2 total reviews
- Jena P.
This company does it right. Firstly, I want to say that Landan was a joy to work with. He was so kind, transparent, and had everything under control. His entire team showed up ready to work and they were all very respectful of the fact that we were in an office space. A little backstory – we...
Krumlauf Floors - Sue B.
Terrible experience. Walls/trim/floors/cabinets/doors all have drip marks, overspray, etc. Tiling at the fireplace had to be redone by another vendor due to incorrect and shoddy install by Profect. Contractor had his children in our house while he was on site without prior authorization or...
Profect painting & exteriors - Maggie M.
Jason has helped me with multiple household projects, with the most recent being new door installation. He has always showed up on time and organized and has done an incredible job! Jason is very professional and he's now my go-to for anything around my house that needs to be fixed or...
Huff Garage Rescue, LLC - Alexis P.
I had FabClean 614 clean my apartment, and she did an outstanding job. She was so professional and efficient. My apartment looks absolutely spotless every surface, every corner, all cleaned to perfection. Definitely highly recommend FabClean 614 if you're looking for top-notch cleaning...
Fab Clean 614 - Adam E.
Cole has been handling plumbing and general contracting for our four properties over the past three years, and he’s always done a great job. Most recently, he installed a sink and countertop in our retail store where none existed before, and it turned out exactly how we needed. He’s...
ANB Renovations LLC - Marguerite F.
1st Choice Renew is simply the best! We hired them for a complete home renovation, and they transformed our space into something truly amazing. The team attention to detail and commitment to quality were evident throughout the project. They were easy to work with, very responsive, and always...
Save A Dime - Emily W.
I am highly satisfied with the window replacement service I received; the professionals from Savvy Exteriors were punctual and did an amazing job that exceeded my expectations.
Savvy Exteriors - Kris A.
This company is my go to resource for all my post renovation clean ups. They get the place spotless! All we have to do after is stage the place and sell, sell, sell! They are super professional and have some amazing scent that is left in every property. I highly recommend!
The Royal Sanitation Group - Dave F.
My kitchen cabinets look brand new thanks to Custom Paint Jobs LLC. Their refinishing is exceptional.
Custom Paint Jobs, LLC - Heather M.
On time, clean and finished fast. Windows seem sturdy and the finish is good. Caulking was done with no smudges. Would recommend.
Window Depot USA of Central Ohio
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