Things You Will Need
With the proper tools, you can give your shelves a colorful update with little hassle.
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Break down the shelves as much as possible with a screwdriver. This will allow you to paint the smallest corners of the shelves that might be unreachable otherwise.
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Remove all oil, dirt and grime from the surfaces of the shelves by wiping them down with a clean cloth soaked in a mix of household dish detergent and warm water. Once cleaned, dry the cabinets thoroughly.
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Sand all surfaces of your shelves with 220-grit sandpaper or a sanding block. This will create a stronger surface for the primer and paint to stick to.
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Wipe over the shelves with a tack cloth to remove any loose particles created by sanding.
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Put a thin coat of primer/sealant on the shelves with a natural bristle brush. Let the boards dry for an hour or until dry to the touch, then paint a second coat with a foam brush in long, consistent strokes. Let the second coat dry fully to the touch.
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Paint a coat of acrylic latex paint on the shelves in your desired color or finish with a foam brush or roller. Use even strokes across the surface. You may need to apply multiple coats, depending on the shelves' original color. Allow the paint to dry fully.
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Apply a thin coat of a clear, wipe-on polyurethane varnish to the shelves with a clean cotton rag. Follow the specific directions on your brand of varnish.
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Put the shelves back together with the screwdriver once all pieces are completely dry.