There is a paint called "Cabinet Coat" that is supposed to be really good. I haven't tried it though. I think they talk about it on the decorating forum. I know I've read about it somewhere here at the Gardenweb.

I'd love to paint mine white, but I have to convince DH first.

Last fall, Amber painted my kitchen cabinets. She cleaned them and then put a primer on them and then used kitchen and bathroom paint on them. I really like them now. They were 40 years old and the finish was so bad and ugly. So far they are easy to wipe spills off of. They are a creamy white. I can't tell you the name of the color off hand. We got the paint at Lowe's. She liked my cabinets so well, she has painted her pine cabinets and they are just now painting and installing unfinished cabinets in an area they had room for more cabinets. I had bought new hardware years ago and so they also got put on my cabinets and she had to buy new for hers and it makes such a difference. Of course I don't have small children at home anymore, just one Pomeranian, Izzi. I am very happy with mine!

Sue

Yes, don't be afraid to paint them. We had mahogany real wood ones in our last house and in this place apparently they were pressed foam inside the doors and both places I painted the same colors and you would never know the difference. Wash well with TSP and buy a good primer. I used bullseye 123 and then as Marilyn says a kitchen and bath paint. They look great, well at least we liked them....

Check out the Kitchens forum, present and past - there are always threads about painting cabinets. Good luck!

Mine were that pinkish "pickled" maple color when I mmoved to this home, but in excellent condition and a classic style. I hired a professional to paint them--he used Ben. Moore satin impervo oil paint. They turned out absolutely gorgeous! No one can tell at all that they are painted after the fact rather than coming from the factory that way. Here are a few pics.{{gwi:1578119}}
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The pros take all the hardware off first. Be sure to number the doors so they go back correctly. My son is a professional painter. It sure makes a difference to put new hardware on.

Don't hesitate to paint them if you hate them. You do have to take the doors off, scrub them with TSP or spic and span to remove any grease or dirt, apply a primer and then paint. Benjamin Moore acrylic latex paint leaves a beautiful finish that's tough and washable and easy to touch up if necessary. Why don't you get an estimate from a professional painter or good handiman just to see how much. If you do some of the prep work, it might not be as much as you think.

DH is a painting contractor and he is at work or I would ask him for advice for you. I know he uses alot of TSP to wash surfaces befores painting and he often uses Benjamin Moore Satin Impervo paints (I type up the bills for him). If you are still looking for advice later today, I will ask him.

Would a different stain be of interest to you? I know I'm in the minority but I despise most painted cabinets. To me white painted wood cabinets look like cabinets that someone didn't like and they painted. I'm reminded of the 1940s metal cabinets or plastic Rubbermaid cabinets when I see them. It also seems to scream "Habitat for Humanity". But I like wood and I like to see the grain. I also like light color stains, well sealed for easy cleaning. And yes, I know that white painted cabinets are the "in" style now as are stainless steel appliances. But I've always been more of going with what I like rather than what's trendy.

Haven't sold you? Didn't think so, but I thought I'd try! :)

That said, yes you can paint them. Ideally you should probably strip them down to bare wood but at least sand and clean them. Couple good coats of primer with a light sanding between and a couple coats of paint, again with a light sanding between, and you should have a good finish. The secret is multiple light coats. Build up the paint on them for a more professional look. Don't try for one thick coat of paint.

TSP them...they have a spray now...really convenient.

Behr brand paint has a primer and paint in one. We (I should say "I am") getting ready to paint our kitchen cabinets red. The guy at Home Depot recommended Behr.

When we asked about TSP a couple of months ago at Home Depot they said the didn't sell it anymore.

TSP is banned in some places because of its phosphate content. Years ago it was determined that phosphates in detergents can cause havoc with the ecosystems of rivers and lakes. The phosphates promote the growth of algae, which in turn grow wildly and can actually kill off other life by removing the oxygen in the water.

In 1996 we were looking at a house to buy and the cabinets were awful...I went searching the web for how to paint over stained cabinets and VOILA...I FOUND the KT!! forgot about buying the house but sure haven't forgotten the KT...

What I did find in my researching was to sand them...wash with TSP...then apply a couple of light coats of KILZ..then finish with enamel paint of your color choice...good luck..I'd love to paint ours...they are soooo awful ugly!!

Marita...your cabinets look FABULOUS!!