How We Prepped Our Cabinets for Primer: Putty, Sanding, and Deglosser

We prepped all of our kitchen cabinets for primer by following a clear, methodical process: filling holes and cracks with wood filler, sanding surfaces smooth and scuffing them for better adhesion, wiping everything with a deglosser, and laying doors and drawers out to dry before priming. These steps add a little time up front but dramatically improve the long-term durability of primer and paint.

• Filled cracks, old hardware holes, and imperfections with wood filler
• Sanded all surfaces to smooth the filler and rough up the finish for primer
• Used a liquid deglosser to remove grease and reduce shine
• Laid out doors and drawers on risers so they’re ready for priming and painting

We used a trusted professional-strength wood filler recommended by contractor friends to fill voids where hardware used to be and any other visible damage. Because our new drawer pulls require two holes instead of one, it was important to fully fill and smooth the old holes so they’re invisible after sanding, priming, and painting.

After packing the filler into cracks and holes with a putty knife and allowing it to dry according to the manufacturer’s directions, we sanded everything. We started with a coarse 60-grit to remove excess filler and flatten rough spots, then finished with 200-grit to smooth the surface. Sanding has two purposes: it levels the filled areas and it scuffs the existing finish so primer and paint bond strongly.

Skipping sanding or deglossing might save time in the short term, but we prefer thorough prep for better adhesion and longevity. Spending a day or two prepping now can mean years more wear resistance later, which is worth the effort when you want a professional-looking, long-lasting result.

Some of our cabinet doors were retrofitted with a pro method—pocket holes, wood glue, and heavy-duty hidden screws—so those doors are solid and sturdy. Once we filled and sanded the seams of those retrofitted doors they felt flush and smooth. That smooth feel is the real key: primer and paint do a great job covering color differences, but they do not hide surface inconsistencies. Paint often settles into fine lines and highlights dings and cracks, so make sure surfaces are even before you prime.

For non-retrofitted doors we still sanded and applied small dabs of filler where old knob holes or small dents remained. Any difference in filler color is fine because a quality primer and topcoat will cover it, but texture matters—smooth, even surfaces give the best final finish.

Next we used a liquid deglosser to remove grease, oils, and any faint sheen left after sanding. In a kitchen environment, degreasing is an important step because cooking oils that have settled into finishes can prevent primer and paint from bonding properly. A deglosser also helps remove remaining sawdust and creates more consistent adhesion across the entire cabinet surface.

We also filled and sanded cabinet frames wherever necessary—holes from previous hardware or areas exposed by a reconfigured layout were patched and smoothed so they won’t be visible once primed and painted. After allowing putty to dry, we sanded again to blend patches seamlessly into surrounding wood, then followed with a thorough wipe-down using the deglosser.

Our goal with all of this prep is simple: give the primer and paint the best possible surface to adhere to so the finish lasts. We’ve used this method in multiple projects—from our previous kitchen to a sister’s home and a built-in office desk—and every time the careful prep resulted in long-lasting, durable finishes that held up well over years of use.

Once everything was prepped, we moved all doors and drawers into the sunroom to lay them out for priming and painting. To make painting easier and avoid drips or adhesion to the ground, we made small wooden risers from scrap wood. These risers lift the doors off the surface so we can paint the face and sides without them sitting in a pool of primer or paint.

With patching, sanding, deglossing, and staging complete, we were ready to prime. We’ll return with a primer update later in the week and, once everything cures, a full reveal with detailed photos and a walkthrough of the priming and painting process. If you’re planning a cabinet makeover, focus on filling and smoothing first—those steps make the biggest difference in the finished result.

What projects have you been working on lately? We’d love to hear if you’ve been tackling any prep work or cabinet upgrades too.