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Yes, you can stain existing kitchen cabinets. Perhaps you’ve moved into a new home but aren’t in love with the existing stain. Luckily, you don’t have to tear out the old cabinets and replace them. You can refinish your kitchen cabinets by removing the old stain—either by sanding or with a chemical stripper—then applying new stain and sealer to achieve the look you want for less than the cost of installing new cabinets.

Although it’s not always necessary, it’s a good idea to use primer, especially if you choose to paint over an old layer of paint without sanding. Primer helps the new paint successfully bond with the surface, and it can even help hide darker paint colors so you need fewer layers to switch to a lighter color.

Yes, kitchen cabinets need two coats of paint to achieve a smooth, durable, and uniform finish. The first coat provides a base and may reveal imperfections, while the second coat ensures complete coverage and enhances the color's richness. Applying two coats helps improve the paint's durability, making it more resistant to chipping and wear. Sometimes, a third coat may be necessary for darker colors or cabinets made of a particularly porous material.

Removing the original paint or stain before refinishing is a good idea, as it ensures the new finish bonds strongly to the wood. If you skip the stripping or sanding step, the new finish may peel or flake away from the railing easily. Using a wood stripper will completely remove the old stain or paint while sanding will help to prime the surface.