Can You Paint Cabinets Without Sanding?

If you're in search of an opportunity to rejuvenate your bathroom or kitchen, painting the cabinets is a good idea. You may, however, be wondering if all the preparation and sanding is worthwhile to do yourself. We've made an outline of what's required for different states of finish for cabinets to aid you in determining whether it is possible to paint cabinets without the need for sanding.

Raw Unvarnished Surface

In the case of cabinets that are unfinished, raw wood, there's no requirement to sand them prior to painting. The surface is smooth and clean enough to hold the layer of paint and allow it to absorb into the pores of the wood. The process of letting the paint soak onto the wood surface will keep it fresh and new even after decades of usage.

Recently Painted Surface

A surface that was painted recently doesn't necessarily require sanding; however, it is an option. A cabinet that was painted in the past year may be painted again without stripping away the previous coating first. If you're sure it was only an insignificant amount of time between the last painting, the surface must be smooth and clean enough to hold the new paint.

In the event that you are not sure how well the initial coating of paint is applied, it may be necessary to sand it in the end. If the first coat was not evenly applied, it could leave you with areas that break off and wear down over time. If you're unsure whether the paint is fresh enough to be able to paint the cabinet doors without the need for sanding, it's best to apply it in order to make sure that you receive the most effective outcomes.

Damaged or Peeling Paint

If the paint on your cabinets has been damaged or chipped, it's important to remove it from the surface first. Inconsistent areas of the surface could not provide the new coat of paint the grip on the surface to ensure a long-lasting paint job. Whatever coats you apply, there will be places where the paint has not completely set. This could affect the longevity of the surface.

Another of the main reasons to remove peeling or damaged paint prior to adding another coat is that the finished result will not be as perfect. Any divots or dips on the surface that were visible prior to the painting process are likely to remain even after the paint is removed.

Varnished or Shiny Surface

If your cabinets are coated with a glossy or varnished surface, then you must remove the sanding before painting them. Polyurethane varnishes protect the surface from oil and other water that might get on the cabinets. While this is useful to protect your cabinets against water-related damage within your kitchen, it can also prevent the new coat of paint from adhering to the cabinet surface.

Being aware of whether you can paint cabinets with no sanding may be beneficial, but such a task takes time, an amount of experience, and different tools and sandpapers to complete the job efficiently. There's a high possibility that you'll invest the time and effort, along with money and effort, and then be left with an unsatisfactory paint job that is adequate or appears worse than it did prior to.