How to Sand Wood Cabinets Before Painting (120, 180, 220, 280 Grit Guide)

Painting kitchen or bathroom cabinets is one of the fastest ways to upgrade your home. But without proper sanding, paint won’t stick, leading to chips and peeling. Using the right grit sequence ensures cabinets are smooth, clean, and paint-ready. This guide shows how to sand cabinets step by step with 120, 180, 220, and 280 grit sandpaper.

Why Sand Cabinets Before Painting?

Cabinet surfaces often have grease, gloss, and imperfections that prevent paint from bonding. Sanding not only cleans and smooths the wood but also creates a surface profile that primer can grip securely.

Tools You’ll Need

• 120–280 grit sandpaper sheets – for progressive surface prep.
• Sanding sponge or block – conforms to edges and corners.
• Orbital sander – speeds up sanding on flat cabinet faces.
• Tack cloth & microfiber towels – for dust removal.
• Degreaser – removes oils before sanding.

Best Grits for Cabinet Prep

• 120 grit: Removes old finish and roughens glossy surfaces.
• 180 grit: Smooths scratches from coarse sanding.
• 220 grit: Creates a paint-ready surface.
• 280 grit: Final smoothing for ultra-clean finishes.

Step-by-Step Cabinet Sanding

1. Start with 120 grit. Sand all surfaces to strip gloss and rough patches. Use 120 grit (25-pack) for base prep.
2. Smooth with 180 grit. Blend areas evenly, ensuring edges and corners are consistent. Stock up with 180 grit (50-pack).
3. Refine with 220 grit. This step makes the surface smooth and ready for primer. Try 220 grit (100-pack).
4. Finish with 280 grit. Leaves surfaces silky and perfect for high-adhesion primers. Use 280 grit (10-pack) for the final pass.
5. Clean thoroughly. Wipe with a tack cloth before applying primer.

Special Cases

For laminate cabinets, avoid over-sanding—just scuff the surface with 180–220 grit. For oak or open-grain wood, sanding sealer may be needed after 220 grit to prevent grain from showing through paint.

Pro Tips

• Always sand in the direction of the wood grain.
• Replace sheets often—clogged paper leaves swirl marks.
• Label doors and drawers before removing for easy reassembly.
• Use light pressure—let the grit do the work.

Aftercare

• Prime cabinets immediately after sanding to lock in a clean surface.
• Use high-quality paint designed for cabinetry.
• Allow paint to cure fully before reinstalling doors and hardware.

FAQs

• Can I skip sanding if I use bonding primer? No—light sanding ensures better adhesion.
• Do I need to sand between paint coats? Yes, lightly with 320–400 grit for the smoothest finish.
• What grit is too fine for cabinet prep? Anything above 320 may make primer adhesion weaker.

Watch & Learn

For flawless painted cabinets, explore our full wood sanding sandpaper collection.