How long does kitchen cabinet painting takes is one of the first things homeowners ask when planning to refresh their kitchen. It’s a fair question—no one wants their space torn apart for weeks.

If you’re dealing with outdated wood finishes, yellowing paint, or worn-out cabinet doors, painting is one of the most effective ways to revive your space without a full remodel. But how long does it actually take to complete the cabinet painting project the right way?

The answer depends on your kitchen size, cabinet condition, and the scope of prep and finishing work. With a skilled painting team, you can expect the whole process to take 3 to 5 days, sometimes less.

Let’s walk through what happens each step of the way so you can plan ahead and avoid surprises.

Key Takeaways:

• Professional cabinet painting typically takes 3 to 5 days from prep to final coat.
• Prep includes cleaning, sanding, and protecting floors, appliances, and surrounding areas.
• A proper primer boosts paint adhesion and prevents peeling, stains, and poor finish.
• Using a sprayer gives a smoother, streak-free coat versus brush or roller methods.
• Quality materials like enamel paint or lacquer help cabinets resist grease, wear, and moisture.

The Full Process: From Prep to Paint to Finished Cabinets

Professional kitchen cabinet painting isn’t just about brushing on a new color. It involves a careful process built around prepping, painting, and allowing proper drying time to get a long-lasting finish.

Day 1: Protecting and Prepping Your Kitchen

Your team will start by covering your floor, appliances, and countertops using plastic, paper, and microfiber cloths. Every drawer, door, and cabinet panel is removed and labeled to make reassembly smooth.

Once everything’s protected, we deep clean the surfaces. Years of grease, dust, and cooking residue build up on kitchen cabinets, especially near the stove or kitchen sink. Without proper cleaning, your primer and paint won’t stick properly.

The next step is sanding all cabinet surfaces, including oak, wood, and composite materials. This gives the surface just enough grip for the primer and improves adhesion for every coat to follow.

If you’re exploring new styles, our team can also help you navigate options for cabinet door styles to match your space.

Day 2: Priming and First Coat Application

With the surface clean and sanded, we apply a high-bond primer specifically made for cabinets, not walls. This step is critical for sealing the surface and creating a base for even paint coverage.

A poor-quality primer can lead to peeling or uneven finish. That’s why we only use primers designed for heavy-use areas like the kitchen, where heat, moisture, and contact are everyday challenges.

You can read more about this step in our primer guide and explore what works best on cabinets.

Once the primer dries, it’s time for the first coat of paint. For a smooth finish, we use a professional sprayer, which creates an even layer without brush marks or roller texture. This technique also works great for detailed edges and inset panels.

Days 3 to 4: Additional Coats and Drying

Most kitchens will need two to three full coats of paint to get that even, rich color you’re looking for. Our products, whether lacquer, enamel paint, or specialty kitchen cabinet paint, are chosen for durability and smooth results.

Each coat gets enough drying time to prevent smudges or soft finishes. Depending on temperature, humidity, and product used, this could be a few hours or overnight.

Choosing the right color matters, too. Our experts will walk you through your finish options, including trending shades, neutrals, or something that complements your granite or backsplash. You can explore your options in kitchen cabinets finishes if you’re still deciding.

Day 5: Final Coat, Reassembly, and Cleanup

Once the final coat has dried fully, it’s time to reinstall all hardware, doors, and drawers. We take care to avoid fingerprints or nicks in the paint during this stage.

Our crew finishes by removing all protective coverings, giving the space a light clean, and doing a final walkthrough with you to make sure you’re happy with the results.

What Affects the Timeline?

Even though most cabinet painting projects are wrapped up within 3 to 5 days, a few things can influence the schedule:

• Cabinet size and layout: More cabinets or complex kitchen layouts take longer to prep and finish.
• Existing finish condition: Cabinets with peeling paint or stains may need extra sanding or sealing.
• Weather and humidity: These impact drying time and product performance.
• Specialty paints or finishes: Some lacquers and enamel paint require longer curing.

We use professional-grade products and tools, including high-volume sprayers, to speed up drying and deliver a clean, factory-like finish. Our process eliminates unnecessary delays without cutting corners.

Paint Kitchen Cabinets with Confidence

When done right, professional cabinet painting adds years of life to your kitchen. The end result? A smooth, uniform finish that resists wear and holds up against daily use.

You’ll no longer deal with chipped corners, sticky drawers, or hard-to-clean surfaces. It’s also a smart home improvement investment if you want to refresh your kitchen without the price tag of a full remodel.

We use products that resist stains, grease, and everyday contact. No shortcuts, no guesswork—just the kind of result that looks and feels brand new.

So, How Long Does Kitchen Cabinet Painting Takes?

How long does kitchen cabinet painting takes depends on how detailed your space is, what materials are involved, and how experienced your painters are. But with our team, you can expect high-quality work in as little as 3 to 5 days, with minimal disruption to your routine.

We restore, protect, and elevate your cabinets so they look beautiful and perform well over time. We handle everything from preparation to color selection to cleanup, so you can get back to your routine quickly.

Here’s what to expect when you work with Roy & Paul Cabinet Painting:

• We make it easy to get the kitchen you want without the stress or delay. Our process is built for quality and speed.
• Complete prep and cleaning of all surfaces, doors, and drawers
• Sanding and minor repairs to help with adhesion and smooth results
• High-quality primers and cabinet paint designed for kitchens
• Professional spray application for that smooth, streak-free finish
• Fast and efficient turnaround with clear communication from start to finish

If you’re in Royal Oak, Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, MI, or the surrounding areas, call us at 248-665-8500 for your FREE estimate and get your kitchen transformation started today!