Hang Cabinet Doors Like a Pro for Painting

Updating kitchen cabinets with a fresh coat of paint can breathe new life into tired, outdated cabinetry. But hanging cabinet doors for painting isn't as straightforward as it seems. You need to prepare the surfaces properly, know which hardware to remove, and put the doors back on straight for an expert-level paint job.

Whether it's part of a full kitchen renovation or just a quick refresh, these tips will ensure your cabinet painting goes smoothly from start to finish.

Preparing Cabinet Doors for Painting: Removal and Labeling

The first step is removing cabinet doors while keeping track of where each one goes. Start by gathering your supplies - a notepad, pencil, tape measure, and painter's tape. You'll also want a stack of cardboard or wood scraps to label hinge placements.

Carefully Detach Cabinet Doors

Open all cabinet doors and use a screwdriver to remove the screws attaching hinges to the cabinet frames. Keep door pairs together and set them aside on a carpeted floor or drop cloths. This prevents scratching while you prepare and paint.

For cabinets over a refrigerator, you may need a small step ladder to access the top row. Be very careful when climbing and remove knobs first so doors don't swing open on you.

Number and Label Each Door

Grab that notepad and label each door with a number corresponding to its place in your kitchen cabinets. Start from the top left and work your way down, assigning numbers from left to right across the room. This will save you a huge headache later.

On separate labeled pieces of cardboard or wood, mark the hinge screw locations so you can easily reattach doors in the right spots. Tape these to the backs of doors as you go.

Choose the Right Hardware: Hinges, Screws, and More

Inspect Cabinet Door Hinges

With doors removed, inspect their hinges and hardware. Note if any screws are stripped, hinges don't close smoothly, or knobs are loose. You may need to replace some cabinet hardware as part of this project.

Don't start painting until you've sourced replacement concealed hinges, knobs, and fasteners as needed. Make sure new hardware matches the existing style for a seamless look. Keep screws, mounting plates, and other small pieces organized in labeled baggies.

Remove Knobs and Handles

Take off all knobs and handles so you're not painting over hardware. You can reuse existing pulls if they're in good shape or swap them out for new ones post-paint.

Store pulls and mounting screws in separate Ziploc bags labeled for each cabinet door. For missing screws, pick up replacements from your local home improvement store.

Clean and Sand Cabinet Doors for an Even Paint Finish

Do a Thorough Cleaning

Wipe down all cabinet door surfaces with a lightly damp microfiber cloth to remove any dust, grease, or food residue. For tougher gunk, use a gentle all-purpose cleaner diluted with water. Avoid harsh chemicals that could damage finishes.

Let doors dry completely, then go over laminate and solid wood cabinets with a tack cloth to pick up any lingering specks. The goal is a perfectly smooth surface for your primer and paint to adhere.

Sand Lightly to Level Surfaces

For wood doors, use fine-grit sandpaper (220 or higher) to lightly sand with the wood grain. You want to scuff shiny clear coats or varnish, not sand down to bare wood.

Laminate and MDF can be sanded in gentle small circles instead of following the grain. The point is to create an even tooth for paint adhesion, not strip doors down to raw material.

Proper Techniques for Hanging Cabinet Doors Evenly

Start With Upper Cabinets

When it comes time to re-hang painted cabinet doors, begin reattaching from the top down. Cabinet door alignment is critical - you don't want uneven gaps between doors or overlapping frames.

Have a helper stabilize the door while you drive in hinge screws, checking often with a level. Fully tighten fasteners before moving on to the next cabinet door.

Check Spacing Between Doors

As you work across upper cabinets, continually check spacing between door pairs with a tape measure. Ideally you want 1/8" or less between adjacent cabinet doors.

Minor adjustments can be made by shifting European-style hidden hinges left or right. But do your best to hang each door precisely the first time for professional results.

Tips for Aligning and Adjusting Cabinet Doors After Hanging

Check for Level and Even Reveals

Once all doors are reattached, grab your level and inspect the vertical and horizontal alignments. Look for consistent reveals - the equal spacing between door edges and cabinet frames on all sides.

If any doors are noticeably out of level, remove and rehang them carefully. It's crucial to fix major alignment issues now before moving on to lower cabinets.

Make Fine Adjustments With a Cabinet Leveler

A nifty cabinet leveling tool allows you to tweak door positioning after hanging. Simply loosen hinge screws, tap the leveler into place, and tighten to shift door alignment.

This minor adjustment accounts for any settling over time. It brings everything back into seamless fits with tight, evenly spaced reveals between doors and frames.

Painting Cabinet Doors: Priming, Painting, and Sealing

Apply a Quality Primer

Always prime both sides and all edges of cabinet doors before painting. A coat of high-adhesion primer helps paint saturate and stick properly for long-lasting color.

Let primer dry according to product directions, then lightly re-sand just the primed surfaces with fine-grit sandpaper. This knocks down any lingering brush strokes or texture for smooth paint adhesion.

Choose Your Paint Carefully

For cabinets, opt for quality interior latex or oil-based enamel paints designed for high durability. Talk to paint store staff to pick the best formula for your cabinet material.

Be sure to grab specialty foam rollers and angled brushes to apply paint evenly. Ask about additives to increase scuff resistance, depending on the type of paint.

Paint in Thin, Even Coats

Apply paint in thin, even coats with a high-quality brush, letting each layer dry completely between applications. Use an angled sash brush to carefully cut in around edges and molding details.

For large flat surfaces, a foam roller gives the smoothest finish. Maintain a wet edge while rolling and resist the urge to over-brush, which creates bubbles and uneven texture.

Reinstalling Cabinet Doors with Care: Final Adjustments

Double Check Door Fits

Now your beautifully painted cabinet doors are ready to go back up! Double check that hinges and screws align perfectly before driving any fasteners. Shift doors slightly if needed for ideal placement.

Finish the job by reattaching knobs, pulls, and any other hardware. If upgrading to new styles, carefully mark drill points to avoid mistakes. Drive in mounting screws until snug but not overtightened.

Step back and admire your handiwork! With proper prep, careful door removal and labeling, and some patience, you've achieved flawless professional-looking cabinet painting results.