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If you're painting hardwood, you'll need to seal the whole cabinet. If you're painting softwood, you'll need to seal the knots. Alternatively, you can look for a primer that also contains a sealant.

When you install fresh drywall, it's tempting to jump straight to painting. After all, fresh surfaces are a blank canvas, right? Uh, not quite. Before that first coat goes on, primer is a must.