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Yes, sanding cabinets before you stain them helps the new stain better adhere to the surface. If you’re adding a darker stain to previously stained wood, you only have to sand them lightly enough to remove any finish and rough up the wood to improve adhesion. On the other hand, if you’re trying to stain wood that is a darker color or that has paint on it, you need to sand down to the original wood, or the color will show through the new stain.

When deciding between stripping or sanding kitchen cabinets, the short answer is it depends on the condition of your cabinets and your end goal for them. If the cabinets are in fairly good condition and don’t have several layers of paint on them, sanding is a good option. On the other hand, older cabinets with more blemishes or marks will benefit from paint stripping, since it will give any future finishes a clean slate.

With the proper maintenance and care, stained cabinets can last for 30 years. You’ll need to properly clean your stained cabinets with a gentle mixture of vinegar and warm water and repair minor cracks and scratches when required. As long as you commit to maintaining stained wood cabinets, you can enjoy their beauty for many years to come. 

If you prefer not to sand your particle board cabinets prior to painting, you can use mineral spirits and a rough sponge to add some grit to your medium-density fiberboard cabinets so that the paint will still stick. Keep in mind that using 120-grit sandpaper is still the preferred method for preparing your particle board cabinets for a new coat of paint.