A kitchen makeover can be expensive, but spray-painting kitchen cabinets and doors instead of replacing them is a clever, budget-friendly alternative. You get an impressive refresh at a fraction of the cost, and you can choose the colour and finish you want.
Painting kitchen cabinets is a task most DIYers can tackle, but you will need a paint sprayer, which can be expensive. But don't worry, you can hire a professional sprayer for much less than the cost of a new one. And along with the expert insight you’ll find in this guide, you can take on the project yourself and get a smart factory-like finish.
Why spray painting kitchen cabinets is a good idea
Painted kitchen cabinets come with a smooth, durable, professional-looking finish that can only be achieved with a paint sprayer. Using a mini roller or paint brush will give a decent finish, but they won’t leave you with a factory-like finish.
But it's not just the finish that makes spraying kitchen cabinets a smart choice, as Michael Rolland, paint expert and managing director at The Paint Shed, reveals, “Spray painting is a good option for kitchen cabinets as it’s much faster than other techniques, especially if you can remove cabinet hardware first. This eliminates the need to brush around knobs and handles carefully, and in turn, saves time.”
Richard Davonport, managing director at Davonport, points out that maintenance is a little harder, “Once your kitchen is in place, any touching up or maintenance is a little more complex. Masking and prepping areas to enable spraying to be done in your home takes time.”
However, he notes that this is less likely with a spray finish. “The good news is that with spray paint, the paint is smooth and flat, which means it is less likely to chip or damage, whereas the small ridges in a brush-painted finish could break and chip even if a hardwearing paint is used.”
With The Paint Shed having evolved from painting contractors to retailers, Michael has years of experience within the painting industry, using this expertise to influence his own DIY projects using the best possible tools and materials.
With a distinction in Furniture Design and Cabinet Making and knowledge from his father, Aubrey Davonport, an honorary member of the British Woodcarvers Association, Richard went on to set up his own workshops and later the Davonport brand, which specialises in bespoke kitchen furniture.
Try these tools and paint for a factory-like finish
A water-based, durable, weatherproof, UV-resistant chalk and mineral paint that is versatile, eco-friendly good for indoor furniture. It is self-levelling,self-priming and self-sealing.
If you’re looking to invest in a paint sprayer, this airless model is ideal for DIYers. Spray directly from up to five-gallon containers and use the adjustable pressure control to control spray paint.
Spray painting kitchen cabinets will generate significant overspray, so you need to protect your surroundings. This pack of three 12 x 9ft sheets is tear-resistant and will cover a large area.
Best paint to use for spraying kitchen units
Choosing the right paint is important when spraying kitchen cabinets. Steve Larkin, Kitchen expert and CEO of Kitchen Door Hub, reveals what to avoid and what to use: “Acrylic and oil paints should be avoided as they cannot adhere to the cabinet surfaces properly, and often only stick to wood cabinets if they have been thoroughly sanded down to remove any prior finishes.”
He adds, “The best paint to use is a water-based paint, as they are just as durable as other kinds of paint but have faster drying times and lower levels of VOCs. “
Rolland suggests a couple of paints, “One of the best paint options to use when spray painting kitchen cabinets is Zinsser Allcoat Exterior Matt Water Based or Zinsser Allcoat Water Based Exterior Satin. Zinsser Allcoat is a multi-surface, durable paint, making it perfect for use on kitchen cabinets as they are exposed to a lot of general wear and tear.” These paints are self-priming and available in various finishes and colours.
Other alternatives include the Rust-Oleum kitchen cupboard paint range available on Amazon, and the Frenchic Al Fresco range if you are looking for a chalk-like finish.
Steve Larkin is the co-founder and CEO of Kitchen Door Hub with years of experience in kitchen design, carpentry and fitting. Kitchen Door Hub are passionate about helping homeowners craft their dream spaces and is with them for every step of their renovation journey.
Choosing a paint sprayer to use
If you decide to spray paint kitchen cabinets yourself, you’ll need to invest in a paint sprayer. Steve Larkin says, “The best type of paint sprayer to use for kitchen cabinets is a HVLP (high volume, low pressure) sprayer or an airless sprayer.” He adds, “Airless sprayers are better if you have a larger kitchen or intend to use the sprayer again in the future, whereas HVLP sprayers are more budget-friendly and better suited to smaller jobs.
Alternatively, you can hire one, continues Larkin, “It is best to hire a paint sprayer regardless of what kind you will be using, as it is probably not worth the investment unless you will be using it often for large projects and have somewhere you can store it.” Prices for hiring an airless paint sprayer start at around £150 per day.
You can get an HVLP spray gun, such as the YIREAL Fence Paint Sprayer, on Amazon for around £50. Whatever you buy/hire, you will need to look after it, shares Larkin, “When spray painting kitchen cabinets, the paint will need to be watered down by adding around ten to twenty percent water (for water-based paints).”
He adds, “Paint that is not watered down is usually too thick for paint sprayers and can mean that you do not achieve a good finish. Thinner paint is less likely to clog the paint sprayer's atomiser, and it will lay much better for a smoother finish.”
How to spray paint kitchen cabinets
If new to paint spraying make sure to do some practice runs before starting on your kitchen cabinets. Make sure to wear a face mask and gloves when spraying.
1. Prep your kitchen
There are a few options here, remove doors, drawers, shelves and cabinets to paint elsewhere or just remove doors/drawers/shelves and leave cabinets in situ. This is the more common and often the easier option. If you choose to do this, use masking tape and plastic sheets to mask off all areas that you don’t want spraying.
2. Remove hardware and clean
First remove any hardware, i.e hinges and handles, and then use sugar soap to clean and degrease all surfaces to be painted. Wipe down with a damp cloth to remove any residue and leave to dry.
3. Sand surfaces
Get a fine grit sandpaper – 180-220 is good – and rub down all parts of the surfaces that are going to be painted. If painting glossy cabinets try to ensure there are no glossy surfaces exposed. When finished, wipe down with a damp cloth to get rid of any dust. The better the prep the better the adhesion of the paint.
4. Set up to spray
You will need a well-ventilated room/area to spray in, i.e. an open door or window. Put up plastic sheets to stop spray from straying onto surfaces and set up a table in the middle of the room.
Now get a box or similar to place the door/drawers on. You can add a rotating turntable like this Multi-use Heavy Duty 360° Rotating Swivel Stand Turntable from Amazon to rotate the door/drawer/shelves for easier painting.
If spraying cabinets, raise them off the ground a few inches – use wooden blocks or similar – but make sure the cabinet is steady. If spraying in situ, ensure all surfaces are covered, including the floor and ceiling.
5. Spray paint
Place the door/drawer/shelf on the box, start with the back (if painting). Hold the nozzle 8-12 inches away from the surface and use even consistent strokes to apply a thin layer of paint. Now place the door/drawer/shelf away from the spraying area and leave to dry as per the manufacturers recommendation. Repeat for all that's being painted.
Once dry, paint the top, starting with the edges and work across the surface to the other edge. When dry, repeat the complete process, two coats should be enough.
When painting cabinets start inside and do the back panel first, then the sides and the front edges, followed by the outside and leave to dry.
FAQs
What colour should I spray my kitchen cabinets?
White is a popular colour because it pairs well with almost any other colour. But if your kitchen has a modern, minimalist design, bold colours such as navy blue, black, or bright, vivid hues are often good choices. If you have a more traditional, rustic-style kitchen, consider using more subtle tones. Check out our painted kitchen cabinet ideas for inspiration on your colour choice.
DIY or professional, which costs more?
When it comes to budgeting for a kitchen respray cost, a DIY route will naturally be the cheaper option, but will involve you having the time and skills to complete the job. If you want to call in a professional, cost will vary depending on the size of your kitchen, the layout and the condition of your doors.
Be sure to get a number of quotes in before you make your final decision.
What are the downsides to spray painting kitchen cabinets?
There are a lot of plus points to spray painting kitchen cabinets, but there are drawbacks, shares Rolland, “One downside to using spray paint is that while it offers a smooth overall finish, being able to achieve a consistent coverage can be difficult. Unlike with brush strokes where you can see where paint is applied, when spray painting, it is necessary to use multiple light coats which requires careful technique.”
Annoyingly, if you do make a mistake, you need to prep and paint again. We suggest if you’re a spray paint novice that you perform a few practice runs on waste wood to hone your skills. And, you will need a space where you can spray the cabinets and leave to dry.
If you’re getting a professional finish on your kitchen cabinets, you want to ensure the rest of the kitchen looks good as well. Check out kitchen cabinet lighting ideas and how to adjust kitchen cabinet doors to get it spot on.
