How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets Without Sanding

Painting your kitchen cabinets is one of the most dramatic and affordable ways to update your kitchen & and it doesn't have to be complicated.

At Revive It Decor, we help customers paint cabinets every week using Rethunk Junk by Laura resin paint, and most are surprised by how simple the process really is! With the right prep and technique, you can get a smooth, durable cabinet finish without sanding or priming (in most cases).

This step-by-step guide will walk you through the entire process.

Notepad with a list of items and a pen on a gray background

Supplies Needed to Paint Kitchen Cabinets

Gather your supplies easily with one of our Kitchen Bundles - which include everything you need for your project. Plus, don't forget these helpful extras...

  • Screwdriver for removing hardware
  • Drop cloths
  • Painter's tape
  • Bags to safely store hardware

Using the right tools helps ensure a smooth, professional finish.

Grab a Bundle

How to Prep Cabinets for Painting

Before you get started cleaning, remove cabinet handles & knobs (if applicable). If you have wood floors, place a drop cloth to protect the finish. Now you're ready to get started....

Prepping your cabinets is the most important step because kitchen cabinets collect:
Grease
Cooking residue
Hand oils
Cleaning products

Paint products will not adhere properly if residues remain, so it's important to make sure your cabinets are squeaky clean before applying paint. Rethunk Junk by Laura's Prep cleaner makes this part so simple! Just spray the Prep onto the surface, allow it to sit for 1-2 minutes, and use a scrubby pad to thoroughly clean your cabinets. Wipe dry with paper towel. If your paper towel is particularly dirty, clean the surface a second time with the Prep & scrubby. Focus extra attention on frequently touched surfaces, areas around the stove, and any detailed woodwork. Let cabinets dry completely before painting. Now you're ready to start the fun part!

How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets

Use a soft-bristle brush - like the Wooster Shortcut Brush - to apply Rethunk Junk by Laura Furniture & Cabinet Paint.

We suggest starting with the upper cabinets, painting the cabinet frames first and then the backs of the cabinet doors. Leave the doors open so the frames and door backs can dry fully before moving on to the door fronts.

By the time you have worked your way around the kitchen, the cabinets you started with should be fully dry. How will you know they're fully dry? They should not feel "cool" to the touch but should just feel room temperature. Once they are fully dry, you can begin the second coat throughout the space. Allow to dry & apply a third coat in areas as needed.

Pro Tip: Avoid over-brushing the paint. Simply apply the paint to an area & finish with a gentle pass from edge to edge using a light touch. Once the paint is smoothed out, leave it alone so it can self-level. Going back over partially-dry paint can create brush marks.

Green kitchen island with wooden countertop in a home setting

Adding a Protectant to Your Cabinets

Once your final coat of paint has dried completely - ideally overnight - you can apply Tuff Top for added protection.

For application, use either a Wooster Shortcut Brush or Miracle Sponge Applicator. Apply a thin, even layer, watching carefully for any drips or runs. Tuff Top has a very light, fluid consistency, so two thin coats are recommended. When applied with a Miracle Sponge, each coat dries quickly, making the process simple and efficient.

Do You Have to Use Tuff Top?

Rethunk Junk by Laura Resin Paint cures into a durable finish on its own. However, adding Tuff Top can provide extra protection and make cabinets easier to clean, especially in busy kitchens.

If your cabinets see a lot of daily use - especially from busy households or little hands - a protective topcoat is a great added safeguard.

How Long Cabinet Paint Takes to Cure

Cabinets will feel dry quickly, but curing takes longer. Typical timeline:
Dry to touch: 1-2 hours
Light use: 24-36 hours
Full cure: about 30 days

"Can I use them before they're fully cured?" Yes, of course! Just use them gently and avoid heavy cleaners and scrubbing. The paint is very durable once fully dry, but it will continue to harden throughout the curing process.

Modern kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and a marble island.

Tips for a Smooth Cabinet Finish

These simple tips make a big difference:

Use thin coats - Thick coats can create brush marks by interfering with the self-leveling qualities of the paint.

Smooth your paint with a light hand from edge to edge on the final pass -This helps create a smooth finish.

Work quickly - before the paint begins to dry - Keep a continuous mist water bottle handy to add moisture if you feel the paint beginning to drag.

Work in good lighting - Good lighting helps you see missed spots and drips.

Don't rush prep - Clean cabinets thoroughly before painting.

Why We Recommend Rethunk Junk for Cabinets

After working with many furniture paints, I very confidently recommend Rethunk Junk by Laura Resin Paint because it:

Requires minimal prep (No Sanding!)
Bonds well to cabinets
Self-levels beautifully
Dries into a durable, buttery finish
Doesn't require wax

It makes cabinet painting easier and more successful - especially for first-time painters! Still have questions? Check out the most common questions we hear from new & experienced painters...

Kitchen with measurements for paint estimation, featuring Rethunk Junk logo.

How much paint should I order for my kitchen?

Measure the linear feet of your kitchen cabinetry. Include upper, lower & returns to the wall. Take that measurement (in feet) and divide by 10. This tell you how many QUARTS of paint your kitchen project should need.

Get all the products you need for your project with one of our convenient bundles!

Shop Bundles

Cabinet Painting FAQs

Is this paint strong enough for kitchen cabinets?

Yes! Rethunk Junk by Laura Resin Paint is specifically designed for furniture and cabinets. It forms a hard, washable finish that holds up to everyday use.

Can I paint my cabinets without removing the doors?

Yes! You can definitely paint them with the doors in place. If that's best option for your space & project, be sure to grab a Miracle Tapered Trim Brush for the easiest trimming around hinges, in corners, and in tight spaces.

How long will this project take me to complete?

Every kitchen is different, but generally we'd say to allow one full weekend to complete this project. On day one, fully clean your kitchen cabinets and apply the first coat of paint. Don't shortcut the Prep step! Remove the hardware (if needed) and really scrub those cabinets clean. Then apply that first coat of paint.

You can generally apply the second coat and touchups plus Tuff Top on the 2nd day. If you have the time, apply the Tuff Top on the third day (or the next weekend) just to allow the paint plenty of time to dry thoroughly.

Gently replace your hardware and clean up.

Do I need to sand my cabinets?

No. In most cases, sanding is NOT required when using Rethunk Junk Prep Cleaner & Resin Paint. The Prep is an excellent cleaner & deglosser that prepares the surface for excellent adhesion to the resin paint. There are, of course, certain situations where a light scuff sand can help. For instance, if your cabinets have an old peeling finish or chips in a previous paint finish, sanding is recommended to smooth the finish. New coats of paint cannot hide texture issues so if there is chipping or peeling, here's how to prepare the surface:

Use a small piece of medium to high grit sandpaper to focus on the problem areas. Sand until edges of chips or peels are completely smooth to the touch. If you can still feel the edge, you will see that ridge in the new paint finish. Once you have smoothed the edges of the chip, use a high grit sanding block to just lightly scuff sand the entire surface (i.e. drawer front or door front). This will help smooth out the full surface so your paint is smooth. Remove dust. Lightly spritz with The Prep Cleaner and wipe immediately with a paper towel.

My cabinets are already painted and have chips. Can I repaint them?

Yes, you can repaint them, but new coats of paint cannot hide texture issues or chipping on previous finishes. You can take a few steps to prepare that surface for a fresh, smooth refinish with Rethunk Junk by Laura Resin Paint. Here's what you'll want to do...

Use a small piece of medium to high grit sandpaper to focus on the problem areas. Sand until edges of chips or peels are completely smooth to the touch. If you can still feel the edge, you will see that ridge in the new paint finish. Once you have smoothed the edges of the chip, use a high grit sanding block to just lightly scuff sand the entire surface (i.e. drawer front or door front). This will help smooth out the full surface so your paint is smooth. Remove dust. Lightly spritz with The Prep Cleaner and wipe immediately with a paper towel.

Should I clean with TSP before The Prep?

TSP is not really needed in most cases. However, if the kitchen you're painting has a lot of grease build-up, it may not be a bad idea. Another option is to use Dawn Dish Soap & a scrubby on greasy surfaces to cut through that grease. Once grease has been removed, go ahead and clean thoroughly with the Prep Cleaner & a scrubby pad to prepare the surface for proper, durable adhesion.

Should I prime my cabinets before I paint?

Usually, primer is NOT required. Rethunk Junk by Laura Resin Paint is designed to bond to most cabinet surfaces including:

Finished wood
Painted cabinets
Laminate
Veneer

However, Rethunk Junk's Power Primer may be helpful if:

Cabinets are dark and you're painting a very light shade of white - like Cloud.
You're painting older stained cabinets that may have begun to lose their finish coating. In this case, stains or tannins may bleed through the paint so starting with the Power Primer can help seal them back up.

How many coats of paint will they need?

Most Rethunk Junk by Laura Resin Paint colors will provide full coverage with two coats plus touch ups. Lighter shades may require a third coat.

The most difficult color for full coverage is Cloud - because it is a pure white with no undertones whatsoever. Cloud typically requires 3 coats plus touch-ups - but it's completely worth it if you love a bright, fresh white!

How long will my painted cabinets need to dry?

Dry to touch: 1-2 hours
Light use: 24-36 hours
Full cure: 3-4 weeks

"Can I use them before they're fully cured?" Yes, of course! Just use them gently, avoid heavy cleaners, and don't scrub them. The paint is very durable once fully dry, but it will continue to harden throughout the curing process.

Can I do anything to speed up the curing process?

Cure time is more of a chemical process for all paints, but you can encourage that process along by keeping humidity low and avoiding temperature extremes.

Do you have any video tutorials for kitchens?

Yes! Sarah frequently does live tutorials on the Revive It Decor Facebook Page. Check out one of them on YouTube here - https://youtube.com/shorts/uJTIZwI15KY?si=_0iMEbXG_lmTbGVD

Have questions about your kitchen project? We're happy to help!