How to Strip Paint from Cabinets

Stripping paint from kitchen or bathroom cabinets is one of the most impactful refinishing projects you can do — it can completely transform the look of a room without the cost of replacement. Cabinets have flat panels, detailed frames, and often multiple layers of paint, which makes chemical stripping the most practical approach. Here's how to strip paint from cabinets efficiently and effectively.

Tools You'll Need

• Citristrip paint stripping gel — safe for wood cabinets, low fume for indoor use
• Paint scraper set — multiple widths for panels and frame details
• Krud Kutter deglosser — for surface prep after stripping before repainting
• 220-grit sanding sponge — for final smoothing
• Respirator mask
• Chemical resistant gloves

Step 1: Remove Cabinet Doors and Hardware

Remove all cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware before stripping. Label each door with its location (upper left, lower right, etc.) so you can reinstall them correctly. Work on the doors horizontally on a flat surface — this prevents stripper from running and makes scraping much easier.

Step 2: Apply Citristrip

Apply a thick coat of Citristrip to the cabinet door face. Cover with plastic wrap to prevent drying. Leave for 4–24 hours — overnight is ideal for cabinets with multiple paint layers.

Step 3: Scrape Off the Paint

Use a wide paint scraper for the flat panel sections and a narrow scraper for the frame details. Work with the wood grain. For detailed router profiles and edges, use a wooden skewer or old toothbrush to remove paint from crevices.

Step 4: Strip the Cabinet Boxes

For the cabinet boxes (the frames mounted to the wall), apply Citristrip in sections and scrape carefully. Work around hinges and inside corners with a narrow scraper. This is more awkward than working on removed doors but follows the same process.

Step 5: Clean and Prep for Repainting

Wipe down all stripped surfaces with mineral spirits to remove stripper residue. Once dry, apply Krud Kutter deglosser to ensure perfect adhesion for the new paint. Sand lightly with a 220-grit sanding sponge, wipe clean, and apply primer before your topcoat.

Stripping cabinets is a multi-day project but the results are dramatic. Remove the doors, work horizontally, use Citristrip generously, and take your time with the scraping. The stripped and refinished cabinets will look better than new.