Which cabinet do you have? Dual Monitor/ Punchout conversion, dedicated single monitor, DK/Popeye conversion, countertop? No way in hell I would sand down to the wood no matter which type you have. You can either fix all the blemishes, scratches, gauges and corners, then prime and paint it, or fix all the blemishes, scratches, gauges and corners, prime and paint, then apply vinyl to it, or fix the major gouges and broken corners, sand the surface a bit and apply vertical grade laminate to it. Just apply it as a sheet using contact cement, then use a flush trim bit or laminate trimmer to trim the cabinet profile. If you paint, use an oil-based paint and a sprayer or foam roller (the smooth white ones). If you decide to go with the vinyl, you'll still need to get your paint pretty smooth and you'll wanna let it cure a few days before application.