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I want to paint my kitchen cabinet an espresso, can I just paint over the white paint that is on them now?

the people prior to us living there painted them white, they are in great condition so I dont want to buy new cabinet I just dont want that color.

Public Comments

1. If the paint is glossy or clearcoated, I doubt you'll be able to simply paint over them. If it is a matte, you might be ok, but you'd still probably be better off throwing a coat of primer on, just to be safe.
2. yup, sure can!
3. yeah i probably would. I would just do a few coats.
4. if you want the cabinets to look professional you need to do a light sanding of them first. They will look smoother that way and the paint will stick better.
5. Use a 120 grade sandpaper and sand the surface first before painting. . .it will allow the paint to "stick" better.
6. Yes you can just be safe, b/c you didnt say what kind of paint is already on them, sand them down then do your primer and then your espresso color (which is very pretty by the way!!) and you should be fine, since it is hot out side thats thats the best place to paint them b/c of the fumes and it drys faster!!!
7. You could prime them in the a color close to the espresso but with a dark color like that you really do not need to. If you were going from brown to white I would say yes. BTW espresso is so hot these days good choice!
8. yes, you can, with care. Realize that if the paint chips or wears, you are going to have a patch of white there, though. I suggest applying two coats of paint -- a dark red base coat over a dark red tinted primer. Then a thinned down dark coat on top (black-brown). Espresso is not a specific color that is the same for every manufacturer and color mixer, so make sure it's going to look like what you think you want by doing a small test panel before committing to your cabinets). I find most commercial espressos finishes have very subtle red undertone which is why I recommend two different colors.