3. Primer is, effectively, prime.

After you’ve completely prepped, priming is essential. All-in-one primer and paint merchandise are to be prevented; they don’t do both job effectively. In fact, oil primer and paint adhere the perfect and provides the longest-lasting outcomes on cupboards, however due to VOCs, oil is outlawed in lots of states, together with New York. (Learn our publish All You Have to Know About VOCs in Paint.) different is water-soluble waterborne paint, corresponding to Benjamin Moore’s Advance, which is one thing like a latex-oil combo. However word that it dries shortly, so it’s sensible so as to add an extender that permits you the time to get a pleasant end with out brush marks. And for those who’re portray one thing plasticky or in any other case arduous to color, Stix is an effective primer to find out about.

Going from a darkish cupboard to gentle? Contemplate tinting the primer to match the ultimate colour. In case your colour transition is excessive, you would possibly as an alternative add a coat of underbody, corresponding to Recent Begin, a thicker, much less clear primer that hides extra (and will also be tinted). You possibly can have the tinting completed within the paint retailer; I request 75 p.c of the ultimate colour, so it’s lighter however shut. (For extra on the subject, learn Again from Black, Meredith’s repainting chronicle.)

Additionally word: After your base coat dries, it’s essential to sand the cupboards yet again—simply not as aggressively as the primary time.

4. Spring for high quality paint.

Don’t be penny sensible and pound silly. You’ll get higher protection and outcomes utilizing high quality paint. I like Fantastic Paints of Europe for oils and primers, and Farrow & Ball, Benjamin Moore, and Pratt & Lambert make good waterborne paints and latexes. (The one I exploit most frequently is Benjamin Moore Advance.) Two coats of paint are important for cupboards—you’re constructing a floor. By the best way, to get the nicest end, use a brush, a 2- to 2 1/2-inch nice bristle brush.