How Long Does Cabinet Painting Take?

How long cabinet painting takes: the day-by-day

Day 1: Remove and prep. Doors and drawers come off, labeled. The kitchen gets masked — counters, floors, appliances. Degreasing starts.

Day 2: Sand and repair. Every surface gets scuffed. Dents filled. Old hardware holes filled. Caulk where needed.

Day 3: Prime. Bonding primer on everything. Doors go to the spray setup. Frames get primed in place.

Days 4–5: Spray topcoats. Two coats of enamel, with dry time between. This is where the smooth happens.

Day 6: Rehang. Doors go back on. Hinges adjusted. Everything aligned and closing right.

Day 7: Hardware and detail. New knobs and pulls. Touch-ups. Final check. Walkthrough with you.

Big kitchens. Dark-to-light color changes. Grain filling. Extra repairs. We flag all of it at the estimate, so the schedule we give you holds.

Call (301) 679-9193 for your free estimate and schedule.

More on this topic from Fairfax Cabinet Painting Pros:

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to paint kitchen cabinets?

Four to seven days for most kitchens. Large kitchens run seven to ten. Vanities take one to two days.

Can I use my kitchen during the job?

Yes. Counters, sink, and appliances stay usable. Only the doors are gone — to our spray setup.

Why does it take a week? It is just paint.

Prep and dry time. Degreasing, sanding, priming, two coats with curing between, rehang. Rushing any step shows in the finish.

When can I put things back in the cabinets?

After the cure window we give you — usually a few days of gentle use, full cure in weeks. See curing time.