Mistakes to Avoid When Painting Kitchen Cabinets

How do you go about giving your kitchen a face-lift without having to undergo a pricey remodel? Repaint your cabinets for a fresh new look.

When done right, DIY cabinet painting is a cheap way to redo your kitchen and increase the value of your home. Kitchen cabinet painting is a process that takes a lot of patience and attention to detail. Most homeowners hire a professional painter to paint their cabinets, but if you want to save money doing it yourself, keep the following essential tips in mind for a successful outcome.. Avoiding these common mistakes will make the process seamless and quick.

Not removing doors, drawers, and hardware.

Before starting this project, remove the cabinet doors, pull out all the drawers, and unscrew the knobs or pulls. Be sure to empty the drawers and cabinets as well. Removing the doors will also make it easier on your arms and back since you can lay them on the floor instead of reaching up and bending at odd angles to reach them.

Make things easier on yourself during reassembly by labeling where the pieces should be returned after painting.

To ensure that you and your project are set up for success, remove every door and drawer before beginning the process of painting your kitchen cabinets.

Over time, grime and grease may have probably built up on your kitchen cabinet' surfaces. So remember to clean them up and disinfect the insides and outsides of drawers, along with the fronts and backs of cabinets.

Not scraping, sanding, and repairing

If already-painted cabinets are still in good condition, then applying a new coat on top is completely fine. Old paint that's chipping should be scraped off. To make this step easier, buy a specialized paint-stripping product at a home-improvement store.

Sanding is a vital step in successfully repainting kitchen cabinets as it roughs up the original paint so that a primer can stick to it and last much longer. By skipping this step, you'll find that your tint coats won't look as great and will even rub off over a short period of time.

Additionally, you'll need to take the time to inspect the furniture for damage and repair that tarnish before you begin painting. Fill in holes, dents, or scratches with wood filler or spackle. Use a putty knife to smooth it out, then sand it down once it's dry.

Not using primer

Primer is the worst layer of paint to skip because it seals the cabinet and prepares it for the next layer of paint. Even under multiple layers, an old cabinet color can negatively affect the new hue.

The color you chose might always look a tad bit dirty if you don’t cover the original tint well enough with a primer. Paint will also rub off a cabinet faster if it doesn't have a base.

Coating cabinetry in a primer will help the paint stick later. Primer also helps cover up and smooth out any imperfections on the surface.

Not using the right paint

To avoid having to paint so many layers on the cabinets, homeowners may sometimes try to apply a thicker coat. However, this is a bad idea. Thicker paint areas won't dry smoothly, making the furniture look bumpy. It's also more likely to leave behind bubbles that can dry and create holes in the finish, which will then need to be sanded and redone. So don't make it more difficult for yourself, and be sure to apply a thin layer of paint each time and follow directions on paint cans for dry times. Don't mess up your hard work by smudging damp cabinetry while trying to put it back in place or flipping it over for another coat.

Lastly, it's vital to the look and functionality of your cabinets that you use the proper finish. A matte finish might look nice, but it's going to collect dirt and can be tough to clean. Kitchen cabinets get dirty easily, so a smooth and shiny polish will make cleaning off spills and grease splatters much easier. Choose the right type of paint for a kitchen — paints with a higher gloss or sheen (like eggshell, semi-gloss, or gloss) are easier to wipe clean. Then pick your perfect color—one you won't get tired of instantly.