Get matched with top cabinet refacers and refinishers in Anmoore, WV

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.

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.

Liquid sandpaper is a solvent used to soften existing layers of paint and make them porous enough that you can effectively apply a new coat of paint. You rub the liquid sandpaper on, wait for it to work, and wipe it off—no literal sanding is involved. Liquid sandpaper can save time and is helpful if parts of the cabinet are hard to reach with standard sandpaper. However, like paint stripper, liquid sandpaper creates dangerous fumes and must be used with care indoors. And unlike sanding, it can’t fix any scratches or dings in your cabinets.

When it comes to painting kitchen cabinets, most professionals tend to use latex paint. However, acrylic paint is also a great option, especially if you're working with wood. Along with the paint type, you'll also want to think about the finish. For kitchen cabinets, the best paint finishes are usually semi-gloss or high-gloss. These finishes are incredibly durable, which is important in high-traffic areas like kitchens. Matte finishes, on the other hand, are less durable.