Painting cabinets transforms a kitchen for a fraction of replacement cost, but cabinets take abuse, so prep and the right products are what make the finish last instead of peeling in months.
Clean and label
Kitchen cabinets are coated in grease that paint won't stick to. Remove doors and hardware, label everything, and clean thoroughly with a degreaser. Skipping this is the top reason cabinet paint fails.
Sand and prime
Lightly sand all surfaces to give the primer grip, wipe off dust, then apply a bonding primer made for slick or previously finished surfaces. Primer is what makes paint adhere to cabinet finishes.
Use a durable paint
Use a hard-wearing cabinet or trim enamel, applied in thin coats with a fine brush, small roller, or sprayer for a smooth finish. Let each coat cure fully — cabinets need time to harden before heavy use, or they'll chip.