Painting Cabinets ($200-600 (DIY))

1. Remove all doors, drawers, and hardware. Number each door with tape.
2. Clean everything with TSP to remove grease
3. Sand with 120-150 grit (just enough for adhesion, not down to bare wood)
4. Fill any holes or dents with wood filler, sand smooth
5. Prime with bonding primer (Zinsser BIN shellac-based or STIX)
6. Paint with cabinet-grade paint: 2 coats. Benjamin Moore Advance or Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane.
7. Optional: apply polycrylic topcoat for extra durability
8. Let cure 2-3 weeks before heavy use (paint is dry but not fully hardened)
9. Install new hardware for an updated look

Tips: Use a mini foam roller for smooth finish, brush for detail areas | Work flat (doors on sawhorses) to avoid drips | Oil-based paint is more durable but harder to work with

Refacing ($4,000-9,000 (pro))

Keep existing cabinet boxes, replace doors and apply new veneer to face frames. Cheaper than replacing, more polished than painting.

Replacing ($8,000-25,000+)

Full cabinet replacement. Necessary when boxes are damaged, layout needs to change, or cabinets are particle board breaking down.