With the best paint sprayer for cabinets, you’ll be able to create a new look quickly, affordably, and with little effort.
Don’t renovate: Repaint! Are you looking for an affordable way to remodel your kitchen?
Many spray guns for cabinets allow you to spray more than just paint. You can apply stains, lacquers, or even enamel.
Get perfect end result every single time.

Best Paint Sprayer for Cabinets
Pick from one of the best paint sprayers for cabinets below and get started today!
Best Paint Sprayer for Kitchen Cabinets: Editor’s Reviews
The best sprayer for cabinets focus on precision. They allow you to create specific results with consistency, so a professional look can be achieved.
Whether it’s the best HVLP sprayer for kitchen cabinets or you’re spraying cabinets with an airless sprayer, you’ll find a spray gun for cabinets here.
Best HVLP Spray Gun for Cabinets
Editor’s Pick of the Best Paint Sprayer for Cabinets
HomeRight Super Finish Max
- Easy to Clean
- HVLP Siphon Feed Spray Gun
- Adjustable Settings and Spray Patterns
- Comes with 3 tips
- Perfect for beginners and Pros
Take your cabinets to the next level with this HVLP paint sprayer from HomeRight.
Make sure that you give the Super Finish Max a closer look. Its our choice for the best paint sprayer for cabinets.
It offers the same functionality as the top models in the industry, but for a fraction of the price. It even requires less thinning that high-level models. If you want to start staining right away, this model will accommodate you. The lower levels of pressure with this HVLP model mean that you have less overspray to worry about.
Right out of the box, the HomeRight Super Finish Max has multiple spray settings that help you conquer more projects. You can also buy more spray tips making it even more versatile.
The Super Max comes with a 450 watt turbine motor. When paired with an interchangeable tip, most paint mediums can be sprayed. Three brass spray tips are included: 1.5, 2.0, and 4mm.
You can tackle your entire staining to-do list with this strong and lightweight sprayer.
Always pay attention to the connectors that you use on your HomeRight HVLP Sprayer. Some models offer users a connector that is smaller in diameter than the air hose that connects to the unit.
Because this is a restriction to the flow of the paint or other substance, pressure can build up at the connection and cause issues.
There are some elements of an HVLP design with this HomeRight model, but there are also some siphon feed elements included as well.
This helps to keep your spray pressure consistent as you’re painting, staining, or varnishing, helping you to create that professional-looking finish.
We also like the ergonomic improvements that were included within the design.
You also receive an air-blowing nozzle with this particular model. If you run this nozzle without a finish, then you receive a tight stream of air that you can use for cleaning out home electronics, underneath tables and chairs, and other tight spaces where dust bunnies tend to collect.
At just 3 pounds, your grip isn’t going to get tired as you’re working and this helps you to get through projects a bit quicker than you could with other models. Some craft sprayers do weighs less than this model, but they are a bit cheaper and don’t deliver the same results on furniture and larger woodworking projects.
It’s super easy to find parts for this very popular paint sprayer. New paint containers and tips can be found online. Need a spray shelter? HomeRight makes that too!
Combine that with the brass nozzle for added durability and you can have confidence in the results you’re producing.
The 40 ounce cup is bigger than most other models (which have 32 ounce paint cups), and you should be able to cover about 90-100 square feet of paint area with one cup.
Good for a ton of projects
Lightweight
Adjustable Controls
Less overspray
Includes 3 spray tips
Not for commercial Use
Not great for large projects
Best Airless Paint Sprayer for Cabinets
Graco X5
- Spray unthinned paint directly from 1 or 5 gallon buckets
- RAC IV Switch tip lets you reverse the tip to clear out clogs
- Annual use up to 125 gallons/year
- Easy cleanup with PowerFlush Adapter
The Graco Magnum X5 Airless Sprayer is designed to be a light duty machine with an annual use recommendation of 125 gallons. This makes it great for spraying cabinets and gets our vote for the best paint sprayer for cabinets.
It can spray up to 27 gallons per hour, which is more than 10% the output of other models in this brand. If you’ve got a ton of old kitchen cabinets to makeover, this is definitely the best airless paint sprayer for cabinets.
That’s because you’re given full control over the amount of pressure that is used for the paint flow at all times. You can work on any project, at any speed, and receive the same results every single time.
The reversible tip let’s you clean out clogs super fast and get back to work.
The Magnum X5 comes with a 25 foot hose and it supports a painting hose of up to 75 feet. That means you’ve got plenty of reach and flexibility for spraying kitchen cabinets. Just mask off what you need to do and then paint until you’re done.
Instead of working with a paint cup or dispenser bag, you get a flexible suction tube that you stick straight into your paint bucket. It works with buckets up to 5 gallons in size.
Graco sells a few accessories that turn this airless cabinet sprayer into a multi use monster.
Our favorite is their 20 inch extension rod which saves your back when painting your fence, deck and ceilings.
Take the guesswork out of cleaning; the automatic priming helps to make sure that everything is cleaned out before you start on your next project
Equipped with a Power Flush Adapter, cleanup is super simple as well. You connect your Magnum X5 to a garden hose and flush it out quickly.
There is no disassembly required for the cleaning process. Once you’re done with your sprayer, use Graco Pump Armor to protect the internal parts and the pump.
Awesome Quality
Easy Clean PowerFlush Adapter
Overspray
Best Cordless Sprayer for Cabinets
Graco Ultra Cordless Airless
- MAX PSI 2000
- 514 tip included
- Comes w/2 batteries
- Powered by DEWALT XR Lithium Ion System
- Triax Triple Piston Pump with ProConnect
- Adjustable Pattern Fan Control
- 1 Quart cup
- Fully Repairable for Extended Life
- Uses RAC X FFLP Spray Tips
The effectiveness of an airless cabinet sprayer with the convenience of a cordless sprayer. Ditch your air compressor for your cabinet painting jobs.
Easy to adjust pressure controls on the Graco Ultra Cordless allow you to change PSI levels in a second, to work at a level you are most comfortable.
Reduce overall prep time because this unit operates at a high PSI, meaning you won’t need to thin most paints.
The RAC X FFLP spray tips and the triple piston pump give you a strong and consistent finish. Save some coin because this cabinet sprayer comes with two 20V DeWalt lithium batteries.
What’s awesome about Graco Spray Tips is that you can switch to any tip you need, including a fine finish low pressure tip! Get all the spray tip info you need, straight from Graco Products.
Cordless cabinet sprayers tend to be on the more expensive side, but the results speak for themselves.
We found it to be well worth the investment.
If you’re interested in taking a look at a few more cordless sprayers, we take a look at a few of the best models available in our cordless sprayer reviews.
Gets into Awkward Spaces
Sprays Unthinned Paint
Overspray
Large Investment
Wagner Control Max HVLP
- 2 stage Turbine system
- 1.5 quart cup
- Sprays stains and latex
- Fan width 1/2″ to 12 inch
- 20 ft hose
- 2 nozzles included: one for detail smooth finish another for semi smooth finish
The Control Max HVLP sprayer is extremely reliable to get the job done, without breaking your budget.
No matter what type of paint or stain you choose to spray, the Wagner Control Spray Max HVLP Sprayer gives you options.
You can spray a pattern of ½-inch in size to 1 foot in size with optimal levels of control.
This unit will require you to thin your latex paint. Wagner recommends that you thin latex paint by 10% to 20%. We found that for some latex paint options, you may need to thin it by up to 40%. This is something to pay close attention to avoid clogging issues.
More overspray occurs with thinner materials, so take caution when spraying stains especially.
This sprayer is limited to small jobs. Spraying cabinets is perfect but, painting a bedroom wall, for example, or a fence, would not be feasible with this equipment.
You can take advantage of fine finish work because of the high volume, low pressure design. At the same time, you’re given a 20-foot flexible air hose that extends your reach as you work.
The Wagner Control Spray is one of the best spray guns for cabinets around. We found that it sprayed extremely well with this machine, though screening the paint was necessary for consistent results.
Priming is the issue that we found with this particular paint sprayer. If you do not take the time to properly prime the equipment, your results will be less than desirable.
No compressor needed
Flow and air pressure are adjustable
Oil based paint is a no no
Best Budget Cabinet Paint Sprayer
Rexbeti Ultimate HVLP Spray Gun
- 13 different Nozzle Sizes
- 4 nozzles included: 1.5mm/2.0mm/2.5mm/3.0mm
- Easy Squeeze Trigger
- Sprays Paint, Varnish, Stain
- 1 quart paint cup
This HVLP spray gun is surprisingly versatile. With a flow rate of 750ml per minute, you’ll be able to get more done than you would with a roller for your next project.
4 different nozzles, make it possible to meet the needs of almost any project: 1.5mm/2.0mm/2.5mm/3.0mm. You get 3 spray patterns with this sprayer, vertical, horizontal and round, which works with all projects.
This workhorse can work with a ton of materials from stain and varnish to the paints you need to spray. The 750 ml flow rate (just less than a quarter of a galloon) covers your projects in paint faster than we expected from such a budget cabinet sprayer.
We didn’t like that the power cord is only 6.6 feet long, but you can just pair it with an extension cord to get around all of your projects.
Nice for beginners, is that it comes with an easy squeeze trigger to prevent fatigue. On the downside, this unit is a bit heavy at over 3 pounds.
You can use the Rexbeti to work on dressers, furniture, crafts, or even that room you’ve always wanted to paint. Small jobs are great for this sprayer.
Included in the package is:
- 1 * Rexbeti hvlp Paint Sprayer
- 1 * User Manual
- 1 * Paint Container
- 1 * Viscosity cup
- 1 * Cleaning Needle
- 4 * Nozzles
- 5* Paint Strainers
One of the best value purchases that is available today.
Handles a ton of materials
High flow rate for fast painting
4 paint nozzles included
1 quart cup
Overspray is an issue
Paint splatters can occur while spraying
Campbell Hausfeld
- Operate at 40 PSI
- Best for small or large jobs
- 0.7 and 2.1 CFM guns
- Adjustable paint flow
- Includes cleaning kit
- 10 paint filters included
This gravity feed paint spray kit gives you everything you need to get started on your next craft painting project.
Two spray guns in this Campbell Hausfeld Kit give you versatility. You can paint a variety of projects, including furniture, woodworking, cars, etc. The two spray guns require 2.1 CFM and 0.7 CFM at 40 PSI. The air requirements mean you can use a smaller and probably cheaper air compressor with these guns.
Make sure that if you’re painting something that requires a wet edge that your compressor is big enough. You don’t want to stop painting while you wait for your compressor to catch up. Some 5-6 gallon compressors won’t keep up with these guns, so beware.
Two sizes of paint containers let you work on small projects or large ones. The design of these guns and the softer spray makes less overspray and provides fine finish details with smoother results.
The dual adjusting valves give you awesome control over the paint consistency at all times. The gravity feed cup on the main gun is 550ml and the touch up gravity feed spray gun has a 120ml cup.
There are 15 total paint filters included, with 5 in-line paint filters as part of the total. This craft painting kit even comes with 3 cleaning brushes.
Paint consistency is easy to control due to the gravity feed.
We didn’t like that the fan adjustments were not as consistent as we needed them to be. Folks have also reported that the pressure gauge doesn’t work all the time and you can’t seem to adjust it properly. I found that the trigger is a bit heavy and stiff to pull as well, which may cause hand and wrist fatigue in some painters.
You’ve got thread tape. There’s even a wrench included to make sure you’ve got a tight connection.
What more could you need?
Control over paint consistency
Cleaning brushes and filters included
Make sure your compressor is big enough
Neu Master HVLP
- 4 spray nozzle sizes included: 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3mm
- Will Spray thinned latex
- 3 adjustable spray patterns
- 40 ounce cup
- 500 watt motor
This brilliant little sprayer offers a 40 ounce detachable container, a durable plastic housing, and enough pressure to spray even properly thinned latex. Neu Master claims you can paint 54 sq feet with a full paint cup: we found it to be a bit less, depending on your spraying skills.
You can find a few options on this cheap sprayer that normally come on more expensive versions. We are happy that such options are found on an entry level sprayer. This sprayer will spray everything from stains to latex to polyurethane and other finishes.
At 3.5 pounds, this sprayer is well balanced and weighs about half of what the other sprayers in this category weigh, reducing wrist fatigue.
We found the cord to be a bit short at 6.65 feet, so grab an extension cord before you get started.
Users have reported that this unit leaks when you hold it in a non-horizontal position unless all the parts are screwed on extremely tight. If you have to paint upside down or at an angle, this unit may not be for you.
We recommend straining your paint at all times before spraying but especially with budget models like this one.
The Neu Master Kit includes:
- 1 * HVLP Paint Sprayer with 1200ML container
- 4 * Size Nozzles (1.5/2.0/2.5/3.0 mm)
- 1 * Viscosity Cup
- 1 * Cleaning Brush
- 1 * Cleaning Needle
- 1 * User Manual
You can adjust the spray patterns from vertical to horizontal to circular to achieve the perfect spray pattern for your project. There is also a material control knob to easily dial in the correct settings for your chosen spray pattern.
With the 4 different nozzles included, you can paint anything from sealers, stains, to primer and oil enamels.
If you’re shopping on a tight budget, this is the best cheap paint sprayer you’ll be able to buy. When you need a good paint sprayer to finish a project, give this one a closer look.
Beginner Friendly
Adjustable Spray Patterns
4 diff spray nozzles included
2 year warranty
No viscosity instructions
A little tough to clean
Best Paint Sprayer for Cabinets: Buyer’s Guide
Can You Spray Paint Cabinets?
You absolutely can and should spray paint your cabinets with a paint sprayer. You will get faster results with a better finish than rolling or brushing. That’s how the Pros do it.
Paint Sprayer vs Rollers for Cabinets
With a paint sprayer, using a good technique will provide you with a thin layer of paint that has a low risk of running or gathering into thick spots.
If you don’t have good technique, however, then you can end up with spots, dots, and runs on your cabinets.
Sprayers also use more paint than a roller. Depending on which type of spray gun you have, HVLP, Airless or Gravity Feed, a paint sprayer will use between 20% and 40% more paint.
Inexperienced technique or poorly maintained equipment like tips, can increase paint waste or overspray by up to 50%.
Paint rollers place a thicker layer of paint on your cabinets that you can thin out as you roll it. There is a higher risk of runs happening. The finish is also not as even or consistent when rolling. If you’re not super careful you could end up with roller marks on your cabinets too.
All in all, we recommend a paint sprayer for the best results.
Spray Paint Vs Brush Painting Cabinets: Should You Brush or Spray Paint Cabinets?
With a paint sprayer, you get great results with just one coat. This is because the sprayer will create droplets of paint which then “splash” out onto your wall. This is call atomized paint.
You can save time using a sprayer for two reasons: one pass with your paint sprayer is like making 3-4 passes with a brush/roller. You can paint more surfaces at a faster rate than if you did it with a roller.
And, since each coat of paint is thinner, it dries faster. You can crush out your cabinet DIY in a single afternoon.
All of the corners and nooks and crannies on your cabinets could lead to runs and uneven paint if you’re using a brush/roller. This adds time because now you have to go back and inspect them all.
It‘s also hard to get into edges and corners with a brush/roller.
The best paint sprayers for cabinets apply the paint evenly. Your results will look and feel more professional. Your friends won’t know the difference.
Paint sprayers are the best way to paint kitchen cabinets.
Features to Look for in a Cabinet Sprayer: Best Paint Sprayer for Cabinets
Easy to Adjust Pressure and Fan Controls
Stainless Steel Parts
Low Overspray
Easy to Clean
Delivers smooth, soft finish
Beginner Friendly
Project Size
Tips
Compressor Requirements
Cup Capacity
Portability/Weight of Sprayer
Adjustable Fan Widths and Spray Flow
You want to be able to dial in the perfect spray for your paint medium. Make sure that the sprayer you choose has those options.
Easy to Adjust Pressure and Fan Controls
The last thing you want to do is be fiddling around with your air or fan adjustments while your paint is drying on your cabinets. Easy to adjust controls mean you can really dial in your results without getting flustered. Especially important if you’re a beginner sprayer.
Stainless Steel Parts
Stainless steel and brass parts mean your sprayer will last longer and require less maintenance. Typically, sprayers that costs a bit more come with quality parts leading to better results for your cabinets.
Low Overspray
Less overspray means less paint waste. Less paint waste means buying less paint saving you even more money when DIY spraying your cabinets. Don’t forget to cover the area that you want to protect from paint with a drop cloth to keep it from getting any overspray from your paint sprayer.
Easy to Clean
Some of our recommended models above come with cleaning kits, you can buy a specialized cleaning kit or you can attach them to a hose to flush and clean out the cabinet sprayer after use. This save you time and frustration at the end of the day.
Delivers a Smooth Finish
Your cabinets should have a smooth, soft finish to them when you spray them. HVLP are made for this. The low pressure lays down the paint much smoother than some higher PSI models. HVLP tend to also be made for beginners.
Beginner Friendly
Don’t get a gun that requires a ton of upkeep or technical knowledge to get spraying. Find one that is easy to use, with a ton of how to videos to guide you through using it for spraying. Easy adjustments, adjustable spray patterns and easy to clean are big +’s when you’re learning how to spray.
You don’t want to pick too much spray gun for a beginner and end up regretting your decision.
Project Size
A larger project will take longer and require more paint. It’s best to be prepared and realistic with your expectations based on your project size.
Tip Size you’ll Need
Make sure that your sprayer comes with the proper tip size you’ll need to spray your cabinets. The tip size will depend on the paint you’re using and what area of the cabinet you’re painting. Typically your looking at a 310 tip or 410 for doors and 210 for frames.
Compressor Requirements
Does your sprayer require a compressor? If yes, do you have one and is your compressor powerful enough to power your sprayer? Will the hoses reach around your project or do you need longer hoses? Will you have to stop and wait for your compressor to catch up to your sprayer? I recommend getting a sprayer that pairs well with your compressor, so that you don’t have to stop and start painting repeatedly.
Cup Capacity
The larger the cup, the better. You want to be able to keep painting without starting and stopping all the time to refill your cup. This could lead to less than stellar results.
Portability/Weight of your Sprayer
Is your sprayer easy to carry around and maneuver around your project? Are the hoses stiff or easy to bend around your paint area? Knowing how difficult it is to manage your sprayer around your cabinets before you start spraying will reduce frustration. Also, the weight of your spray gun is important. Will your hand get tired fast while spraying, which could affect how long the project takes or even the quality of the results. Make sure you get a sprayer that doesn’t weigh so much that you can’t paint for very long with it.
HVLP Vs Airless for Spray Painting Kitchen Cabinets
For beginners, painting cabinets with an HVLP sprayer may be the best option. Modern HVLP spray guns don’t require as much experience as an airless.
HVLP spray guns paint slower than airless because they use lower pressure to apply the paint. This creates less paint mess and waste.
They also apply paint with a softer, smoother finish due to the low pressure. HVLP will paint thinner materials easily such as stains and varnish with professional results.
If you are working on smaller projects, or using water based materials, this would be your choice cabinet sprayer.
If you’re spraying thicker materials like latex, oil based paint, or primer and have some technical painting experience, an airless paint sprayer would work for you.
You will go through more paint if you are spraying cabinets with an airless sprayer because the high pressure of nearly 2000 PSI causes more paint pollution.
This means you will need to purchase more paint than if you used an HVLP cabinet sprayer.
Are Airless Paint Sprayers Good for Painting Your Cabinets?
Airless sprayers cover large areas in less time that an HVLP paint sprayer because they spray at a higher pressure, which applies paint faster to your surface. This higher pressure may not result in the smoothest surface if you’re a new painter. While it reduces your work time, you may not like the results.
Airless sprayers are more geared towards professional painters. HVLP have a more beginner and user friendly design than airless sprayers.
Because of the higher pressure paint spray, airless sprayers will create more overspray than an HVLP, leading to more paint waste which costs more money.
Airless sprayers can be more expensive than HVLP sprayers, which feature many entry level sprayers for a variety of projects.
What to Budget for the Best Paint Sprayer for Cabinets
The best paint sprayer for cabinets is actually affordable. You can find the sprayer you need for $120 or less.
There are a few guns that are priced in the $50-60 range. Advanced models for interior painting will pull double-duty as a furniture sprayer or indoor paint sprayer as well.
Top spray guns for cabinets can be priced above $700. The versatility of the equipment makes it a good investment to give those old kitchen cabinets a makeover.
Should you Buy a Cheap Cabinet Sprayer?
I recommend that if you’re on a tight budget and need to buy a cheaper cabinet sprayer, that you read all of the reviews and check out images of the cabinets people have painted. Make sure that you can get the results you want from the cheaper sprayer. Practice your paint stroke for awhile to get it right. Dial in your settings and make sure your cheaper sprayer can spray the type of paint you’re going to use.
How to Get a Smooth Finish when Painting Cabinets
Getting a finished product that looks professional and smooth depends on a few things.
You have to use the right spray tip for the job, sand and fix blemishes on your cabinets, prime with a good brand name primer, sand between coats, use a tough type of paint, and have the patience to wait for your primer and paint to fully dry.
The right sprayer for your experience level, either an HVLP or an airless sprayer along with the right painting technique, will make your cabinets shine.
Always use quality primer and paint with the right spray tip for your cabinets to get the smooth results you are looking for.
Best Spray Tip for Cabinets
A few recommended tips for your cabinets: 210, 311, and 315. Some might agree with me, while others disagree.
There are many different opinions on which spray tip is the best for painting cabinets. We can all agree though, that a fine finish tip with a smaller orifice that makes a soft spray is the best to achieve a silky smooth finish. This is because the paint is atomized so much more.
Additionally, don’t turn your pressure up very high. This makes your paint come out with more velocity, and won’t lead to a soft finish.
Painting Cabinets with an HVLP Sprayer
What type of paint sprayer is best for cabinets? We recommend an HVLP paint sprayer. HVLP sprayers are well suited for cabinet work. They apply paint with low pressure, resulting in a soft finish.
HVLP paint sprayers spray a slower, finer paint mist and are known for precision at impact on smaller jobs like cabinets and furniture projects.
Spraying Cabinets with an Airless Sprayer
Airless sprayers spray paint at high volume. They are great for large jobs because they apply paint in a thicker coat, faster than an HVLP.
If you’re looking for quick results instead of detailed results, you’d use an airless sprayer. Con is that you would need to purchase different tips to do each project, including your cabinets.
Check out our Airless Vs HVLP comparison post for a ton of details about picking between these two types of sprayers for your projects.
What is the Best Airless Paint Sprayer for Cabinets?
If you’ve decided to go airless, we recommend the Graco Magnum X5 for conquering your cabinets.
We like it because of a few reasons. #1. full control over pressure/paint flow. #2. 25 foot hose #3. Paint thick materials without thinning. #4. Sucks paint straight from can #5. Easy clean with an adapter that hooks up to your garden hose.
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Painting Kitchen Cabinet Cost
Repainting your cabinets will cost you SOOO much less than renovating your kitchen. Spray painting your kitchen cabinets should cost around $100-500. All you need is a paint sprayer and a few gallons of paint to crush your cabinet DIY this weekend.
Painting over Painted Cabinets
There is nothing wrong with painting over painted kitchen cabinets! You don’t need to strip the paint off and get to bare wood to start repainting your cabinets. Same goes for cabinets that are stained or varnished.
You need to get all the grease off those cabinets first and then scuff up the surface well with sandpaper. This ensures the primer will bond and stick to the old surface. Once you’re done cleaning and sanding, it’s business as usual: get spraying!
Can You Paint Cheap Kitchen Cabinets?
Sure! I mean, if you can afford to replace them with better cabinets that might be the way to go. But if you live in a rental, you might be looking to jazz up the place a bit and renovation is not a possibility.
The quality and durability of your finished project depends on choosing the best materials for the job. Primer is SUPER important. I’ve even painted melamine cabinets in my rental property with amazing results. First, I degreased and then sanded the melamine.
I then sprayed 2 coats of stain, grease fighting and humidity proof primer. I waited a few days for it to dry and then sprayed two coats of enamel.
To top it all off, while I was a newbie at spraying, I sprayed it with poly to seal it hard. Maybe not the best idea, but I didn’t know any better. 3 years later and counting and the paint is still good as new!
Try updating your kitchen cabinet doors with molding for a Shaker Cabinet look that crushes it. (My first paint job…small kitchen!)
Best Way to Paint Kitchen Cabinets: How to Refinish Cabinets with Paint
Replacing your old kitchen cabinets can be expensive. Even a basic kitchen requires several thousand dollars of cabinets.
And if you’re planning a full renovation, that doesn’t include the removal of the old cabinetry or the installation of the new stuff.
The best paint sprayer for cabinets can make your kitchen, bathroom, or garage look brand-new without the same level of investment. Refurbish your cabinets instead of renovating!
All it takes is a few gallons of paint, a free weekend, and some practice with a good paint sprayer to get the job done.
Before you start painting, you’ll need to give your cabinets some prep work. Grease is common in kitchens and it will settle into the wood. Our recommended degreaser for kitchen cabinets is GP66.
Steps to Better Cabinets
- Remove cabinet doors
- Clean and degrease your cabinets
- Sand the surface
- Fill any imperfections with wood filler and sand smooth
- Mask off any contact surfaces, your counters, sinks, etc.
- Spray 2 coats of primer, sand between coats
- Apply 2 coats of paint
- Wait 24 hours for paint to dry and up to 30 days for paint to cure fully
Sanding Cabinets Before Painting
Once they’ve been cleaned, it is important that you sand your cabinets first even if they are not wood. A light sand will ensure the primer sticks on the surface.
How do you finish kitchen cabinets without sanding? You Don’t! Ignore the tutorials online that say otherwise. So, what grit of sandpaper is best for kitchen cabinets?
All surfaces must be sanded with a maximum 150-grit sandpaper if there is existing stain or paint. If you have varnish on your cabinets, you’ll need to use an 80-grit sandpaper.
Once you have sanded, inspect them for flaws. There may be scratches, dings, gouges, and other imperfections that have been picked up over time.
Use a wood filler (for wood cabinets) to create a smooth surface. This will get rid of wood grain too. Don’t try to sand out deep scratches, it will only create uneven surfaces on your cabinets. Then use a wet, clean, and lint-free cloth to remove any residue. Do not use a paper towel.
If you’re happy with your prep work, you’re ready to apply a primer. Use a primer that blocks stains for the best results.
Once you’ve got a primed, smooth surface, then your cabinets are ready to be painted with your new equipment.
Priming Cabinets
Priming cabinets is a MUST. To get those pro results, you have to prime your surface. This creates a better bond between the paint and the primer, and you end up with richer, more durable colors and a smoother finish.
Best practice when painting cabinets is to start at the top and work your way down. Most people actually start at the bottom and work their way up.
Starting at the top, it‘s easier to work out paint runs that may form when using the sprayer. Keep a small brush or roller available so you can smooth out the surface if a run forms.
Best Primer for Kitchen Cabinets
When spraying cabinets, you are definitely going to need to prime them first. The primer you use is very important.
This ensures that no stains bleed through, protects against humidity, steam, and the heavy use that your cabinets go through every day. So, what kind of spray paint should you use on kitchen cabinets?
Best Bonding Primer for Cabinets
PRO-CRYL from Sherwin Williams
More of an industrial/commercial type paint. Perfect cause that’s what the pros use. It will get you those awesome results you’re looking for.
Kilz Premium High Hide Water Based Formula
Great for high humidity areas like your kitchen or bathroom, covers about 300-400 sq feet/gallon. Works on all sorts of surfaces including drywall, plaster and wood.
Seals knots, sap and tanning from raw wood. You can paint over old varnish, paint etc.
How Many Coats of Primer on Cabinets?
We recommend 2 coats of primer on your cabinets. Since you’re spraying, it will go on thinner than brushing or rolling and will dry faster. Two coats ensures that you’ve covered the cabinets completely (and evenly) with primer.
How Many Coats of Paint for Your Cabinets?
Two coats of paint should do the trick, unless you’re trying to cover something dark with a lighter color. You might have to do 3 or 4 in that case.
Leave yourself an hour or two at least and then test your paint before applying a second coat. Spraying a second coat before the first coat is dry can lead to lifting, bubbling, peeling and uneven paint.
Because you can only paint one side of your cabinet doors at a time, it will take about 4-5 days to get your cabinet refacing project completed.
What is the Best Paint for Kitchen Cabinets?
You have many choices in paint for spraying kitchen cabinets. But, what kind of paint should be used on cabinets?
Oil-based paint is a cheaper option that requires a little extra maintenance, but is still quite durable and reasonably easy to clean.
Enamel is the better spray paint to use on kitchen cabinets because it dries with a harder surface. That makes it easier to clean and scratch-resistant. Since your cabinets will see heavy use, it’s important to ensure the finish is hard and lasts.
Best Kitchen Cabinet Paint
A latex enamel paint is the best option for painting your cabinets. You can save a little money by using a flexible latex as an undercoat and then the enamel latex as the top coat. What you need is something that cures hard because your cabinets will see heavy use.
Best Brand of Paint for Kitchen Cabinets
Paint quality matters on your cabinets. Here are our top 3 choices for the best cabinet paint you can use.
- Benjamin Moore Advance
- Valspar Cabinet Paint
- Sherwin Williams Pro Classic Water Base Alkyd
Best Paint for Bathroom Cabinets
Bathrooms and garages tend to have mildew and mold. This stuff needs to be gone before you paint.
Bathrooms see so much humidity and are at risk for developing mold and mildew if they aren’t vented properly.
To prevent the humidity from ruining your bathroom cabinets, paint those vanities with special primer and paint that’s durable and can take the humidity and heat that your family will dish out.
Our two top choices are to prime with Rust-Oleum or Kilz Kitchen and Bath Primer.
How to Remove Old Paint From Kitchen Cabinets
Maybe you want to reveal the wood underneath? Go for that bare wood look on your cabinets? If you’re set on removing the old paint instead of just painting over it, check out our post on how to remove paint from wood without chemicals.
How to Take off Cabinet Doors
When removing your cabinet doors, put the hardware for each cabinet in a baggie and label it so you know which cabinet it came from.
If you’re having trouble removing old hardware because it’s been painted over, get a hair dryer and blast heat on the hardware for a minute or two and presto! The paint comes right off the hardware.
How to Mask Cabinets for Spray Painting
You will need to tape off everything from countertops, floor, some of the ceiling, sinks, appliances, and anything else that you want to protect from overspray.
You don’t need to buy plastic sheeting either; you can use newspaper if that’s all you have.
Tape the inside of the cabinet box if you don’t plan on painting them as well. You’ll need a separate area to paint the cabinet doors like maybe your garage. You’ll have to tape that area up as well.
Check out this handy door spraying rack that let’s you stack your cabinet doors for drying instead of leaving them all over the place.
Conclusion
The best paint sprayer for cabinets will help you level up your DIY and create a masterpiece in your kitchen or bathroom. These sprayers will get the job done.
Many will even pull double-duty with multiple hobbies. That’s why there is so much to love in this category.
Cabinet Paint Sprayer FAQs
Enamel is the better spray paint to use on kitchen cabinets because it dries with a harder surface.
Benjamin Moore Advance, Valspar Cabinet Paint, Sherwin Williams Pro Classic Water Base Alkyd
Our two top choices are to prime with Rust-Oleum or Kilz Kitchen and Bath Primer.
- Best Paint Sprayer for Cabinets
- Best Paint Sprayer for Kitchen Cabinets: Editor’s Reviews
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- HomeRight Super Finish Max
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- Campbell Hausfeld
- Neu Master HVLP
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- Spraying Cabinets with an Airless Sprayer
- What is the Best Airless Paint Sprayer for Cabinets?
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- Painting Kitchen Cabinet Cost
- Painting over Painted Cabinets
- Can You Paint Cheap Kitchen Cabinets?
- Best Way to Paint Kitchen Cabinets: How to Refinish Cabinets with Paint
- Steps to Better Cabinets
- Sanding Cabinets Before Painting
- Priming Cabinets
- Best Primer for Kitchen Cabinets
- Best Bonding Primer for Cabinets
- How Many Coats of Primer on Cabinets?
- How Many Coats of Paint for Your Cabinets?
- What is the Best Paint for Kitchen Cabinets?
- Best Kitchen Cabinet Paint
- Best Paint for Bathroom Cabinets
- How to Remove Old Paint From Kitchen Cabinets
- How to Take off Cabinet Doors
- How to Mask Cabinets for Spray Painting
- Conclusion
- Cabinet Paint Sprayer FAQs