What Grit Sandpaper for Kitchen Cabinets? A Complete Grit Guide

So, what grit sandpaper should you use for kitchen cabinets? For most cabinet refinishing projects, a good starting point is 120 or 150 grit for removing the existing finish and preparing the surface. Move to 180 or 220 grit for smoothing before primer or between coats. For final finishing, 220 to 320 grit is often suitable, depending on the paint or coating being used.

The right grit ultimately depends on the condition of your cabinets, the type of finish you are removing, and whether you are painting, staining, or simply smoothing the existing surface.

Quick Answer: What Grit Should You Use on Kitchen Cabinets?

If you want a simple starting point, use this guide:

You do not necessarily need every grit listed above. In many kitchen cabinet projects, 120/150 → 180 → 220 grit is enough.

Why Sanding Kitchen Cabinets Matters

Kitchen cabinets are exposed to grease, moisture, fingerprints, cleaning products, and everyday wear. Many cabinet doors also have a smooth factory finish that does not provide an ideal surface for new paint.

Sanding helps in two ways.

First, it removes or dulls the existing surface. Second, it creates small scratches that give primer or paint something to grip. This is especially important when you are painting over a glossy varnish, polyurethane, lacquer, or previously painted surface.

However, sanding does not always mean completely removing the old finish. If the existing coating is sound and you are repainting the cabinets, you may only need to scuff and dull the surface rather than sand all the way down to bare wood.

80–100 Grit: When Do You Need Coarse Sandpaper?

80 or 100 grit is useful when you have a difficult surface that requires significant material removal.

For example, coarse sandpaper can help when:

• The cabinet has a thick, damaged finish.
• There are peeling or heavily worn areas.
• You need to remove substantial surface imperfections.
• You are working with unfinished wood that needs more aggressive shaping.

But coarse sandpaper should not automatically be your first choice for every cabinet project.

On relatively smooth cabinet doors, 80 grit can create scratches that are deeper than necessary. Those scratches may require additional sanding with finer grits before painting.

If the existing finish is in good condition, start with a less aggressive grit such as 120 or 150 instead.

120–150 Grit: The Most Useful Range for Cabinet Prep

For many kitchen cabinet refinishing projects, 120 to 150 grit sandpaper is the practical starting point.

This grit range is aggressive enough to remove surface gloss and minor imperfections without being unnecessarily harsh on the cabinet material.

When sanding painted or finished cabinets, your goal is usually not to remove every trace of the old coating. Instead, focus on creating an even, dull surface that is clean and suitable for primer.

If you are using an orbital sander, a 150 grit sanding disc can be a good choice for initial surface preparation. Keep the sander moving and avoid pressing heavily against the cabinet door. Let the abrasive do the work.

For detailed areas, edges, corners, and profiles, hand sanding can give you better control than an orbital sander.

180 Grit: A Good Transition Grit

After sanding with 120 or 150 grit, 180 grit can help refine the surface.

This step is useful when you can still see noticeable sanding marks from the previous grit. Moving gradually through the grits makes it easier to achieve a uniform surface without spending excessive time with very fine sandpaper.

For a project requiring a particularly smooth finish, you may continue to 220 grit before priming.

220 Grit: What to Use Before Painting Kitchen Cabinets

220 grit is one of the most commonly used grits for final preparation before painting.

Once the old finish has been properly dulled and the surface is reasonably smooth, 220 grit can remove the finer scratches left by earlier sanding.

At this stage, avoid aggressive sanding. You are refining the surface rather than removing large amounts of material.

After sanding, remove all sanding dust before applying primer. A clean microfiber cloth, vacuum, or appropriate dust-removal method can help prevent particles from becoming trapped in the coating.

What Grit Should You Use Between Coats?

After primer or paint has dried, you may notice small dust particles, minor texture, or other imperfections. Light sanding can help smooth the surface before the next coat.

For this step, 220 to 320 grit is commonly appropriate.

Use light pressure and avoid sanding aggressively enough to expose the substrate. The purpose of between-coat sanding is to smooth the surface and improve the final appearance, not to strip off the coating you just applied.

The exact grit should also follow the coating manufacturer's recommendations. Some cabinet paints are designed to be recoated without sanding under specific conditions, while others recommend light sanding between coats.

Should You Sand Kitchen Cabinets by Hand or With an Orbital Sander?

Both methods have a place in cabinet refinishing.

Orbital Sander

An orbital sander can save considerable time on large, flat cabinet doors and drawer fronts. A quality sanding disc can provide a consistent finish across larger areas when the tool is used correctly.

For general cabinet preparation, starting around 120, 150, or 180 grit is often more practical than immediately using an extremely coarse abrasive.

Hand Sanding

Hand sanding is useful for cabinet frames, corners, edges, molding, grooves, and other areas where a power sander may remove too much material or simply cannot reach.

A sanding block can also help distribute pressure more evenly across flat surfaces.

For the best results, many DIY cabinet projects use both methods: an orbital sander for large flat surfaces and hand sanding for detailed areas.

How to Sand Kitchen Cabinets Before Painting

Once you have selected the right grit, the process is relatively straightforward.

1. Remove cabinet doors and hardware. Label doors and hardware if necessary so everything goes back to the correct position.
2. Clean the cabinets. Remove grease, cooking residue, dirt, and other contaminants before sanding.
3. Inspect the existing finish. Check for peeling paint, damaged areas, deep scratches, or loose coatings.
4. Start with the appropriate grit. Use 120–150 grit for general preparation or a coarser grit only where substantial material removal is needed.
5. Sand evenly. Keep an orbital sander moving and use consistent pressure.
6. Refine the surface. Move to 180 or 220 grit when a smoother finish is required.
7. Remove sanding dust. Clean the surface thoroughly before applying primer.
8. Prime and paint. Follow the coating manufacturer's instructions for drying, recoating, and between-coat sanding.

Do You Need to Sand Cabinets Down to Bare Wood?

Usually, no.

If the existing finish is firmly attached and you are repainting the cabinets, completely removing the old coating can create unnecessary work. A properly cleaned and sanded surface can often be sufficient for a new primer and paint system.

You may need more aggressive sanding in areas where the old finish is peeling, damaged, uneven, or incompatible with the new coating.

The key is to create a sound, clean, and uniformly prepared surface rather than automatically removing every layer.

Common Cabinet Sanding Mistakes to Avoid

Starting With Sandpaper That Is Too Coarse

Using 40 or 60 grit on a cabinet door that only needs light preparation can create unnecessary scratches. Start with the least aggressive grit that can accomplish the job.

Skipping Surface Cleaning

Kitchen cabinets can accumulate grease that interferes with sanding and paint adhesion. Cleaning should happen before sanding, not after you have already spread contaminants across the surface.

Using Too Much Pressure

Pressing harder on an orbital sander does not necessarily make sanding better. Excessive pressure can reduce the tool's effectiveness, create uneven sanding, and wear the abrasive prematurely.

Skipping Grit Progression

Jumping directly from a very coarse grit to a very fine grit can leave deep scratches that take longer to remove. A simple progression such as 150 → 180 → 220 is often easier to manage.

Ignoring Edges and Profiles

Flat cabinet doors are easy to sand with a power sander, but edges and detailed profiles require more care. Over-sanding an edge can change its shape or expose the underlying material.

Kitchen Cabinet Sandpaper Grit Cheat Sheet

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Takeaway

So, what grit sandpaper for kitchen cabinets? For most cabinet refinishing projects, 120–150 grit is a practical starting point. Move to 180–220 grit when you need to refine the surface, and use 220–320 grit for light finishing or between-coat sanding when recommended by the coating manufacturer.

The most important thing is not to choose the coarsest sandpaper available. Start with the least aggressive grit that can handle the condition of the cabinet, work through the grits gradually, and pay attention to edges and detailed areas.

With the right grit and a consistent sanding technique, you can create a clean, even surface that is ready for primer and a new finish—and avoid turning a straightforward cabinet project into a much bigger sanding job.