Applying a fresh coat of paint to your cabinets can truly transform your entire kitchen. With the availability of a variety of appealing colors and numerous DIY tutorials, it’s no surprise that the trend of painting kitchen cabinets is gaining popularity.
Undertaking the task of painting your kitchen cabinets is substantial and impactful; it’s something you’ll encounter every day.
Before delving into the common mistakes, it’s crucial to note that for a smooth finish, it’s highly recommended to bypass brushes and opt for a paint sprayer. Walmart offers affordable $50 paint sprayers, but be aware that they might require frequent refills and are prone to drips and clogs based on my experience. Investing in a quality paint sprayer, especially from a reputable company like Graco, can significantly improve your DIY projects, providing a flawless finish and saving you valuable time.
Now, let’s address the five prevalent mistakes people often make when painting their kitchen cabinets, ensuring you learn from these errors to achieve a successful painted kitchen cabinets project.
#5. Neglecting to Remove Doors From Hinges
If you remove the cabinet doors from their hinges, then you won’t have to worry about painting over the hinge or masking them off. Sure you can just tape hinges over…that tip is all over pinterest, but they don’t ever show you the final product.
Ensuring a flawless finish in your kitchen cabinet painting project involves taking essential steps, starting with the removal of cabinet doors from their hinges. This precautionary measure prevents unintentional painting over hinges or resorting to masking tape, which can contribute to an additional layer susceptible to chipping and tearing over time.
To elevate your results to a professional standard, invest a few minutes in the meticulous removal of hinges, handles, and hardware. This not only contributes to a cleaner aesthetic but also simplifies the reassembly process. A thoughtful tip for organizers is to store the disassembled hardware and screws in labeled baggies, ensuring easy access and efficient reinstallation.
Ifwant to repaint your hardware check out this article:. And if you want to upgrade to new hardware research here:Choosing Hardware For Your Kitchen Cabinet Makeover.
#4. Failing to Lay Cabinets Down
To achieve the best results, it’s recommended to lay cabinet doors flat on the ground, or elevated on objects like 2×4 planks, 5-gallon buckets, or sawhorses. Painting doors vertically can result in uneven paint drips and drying. Ensure each side dries completely before flipping them over, allowing time for touch-drying and an additional hour for drying.
Many DIYers think, if they do a light coat, or if the temperature will dry the paint quickly it doesn’t really matter. Doors are set vertically against something, painted and gravity does what it is best at. The paint drips and dries unevenly.
#3. Skipping the Primer
Unless you are using chalk paint which doesn’t require a primer, make sure that you prime your cabinets well before painting. Kitchen cabinet painting is a major undertaking and not one I would want to have to do twice because of paint peeling. Use a good, primer such as Cover Stain.
Primer not only ensures good adhesion of paint, but it also increases the paint durability. Did you know primer has plastic in it? It helps your projects be more durable! With 4 kids I have seen the need for a primer on every project, whether it is doors, cabinets, or walls. The primer also protects the wood beneath your paint.
Give your cabinets a second coat of primer if needed. Please note: Ifyou are painting your cabinets white you MUST avoid oil paint, to prevent yellowing- use latex paint only.
#2. Forgetting a Clear Coat
This one blows my mind. Why go 80 % and then not finish the project? Any project needs a clear coat. ANY projects. Antiquing, distressing, it all needs it people!
Finish your project properly by applying a clear coat. Use wax for a matte finish or a satin finish polyurethane for a shiny surface. Wax requires periodic upkeep, while polyurethane provides scratch-proof protection without maintenance. If the thought of setting a yearly re-wax alarm doesn’t appeal to you, it might be wise to skip waxing your kitchen cabinets.
Given the wear and tear on kitchen cabinets, enhancing their protection and durability will undoubtedly extend the longevity and value of your paint job.
#1. Rushing Curing Time
Don’t forget to wait for your cabinets to fully cure before you use them! Your cabinets will feel dry to the touch in a few hours, and you will be tempted to finish the job by adding hardware and putting them to good use, afterall who doesn’t love seeing their project finished? However, painted wood doesn’t cure, or harden fully for a few DAYS.
Patience is key for a non-chip, perfectly flat finish.
I once saw a beautiful handmade table and bench, and upon close inspection, there were four round indents on the clear coat. The intents were ribbed, like a pair of jeans. Four people had sat on the bench when it was dry, but not cured, and had permanently let the world know where they sat.
I know, you don’t want to wait, but for a non-chip, perfectly flat finish you need to wait! You worked so hard to get a smooth surface, resist wanting to hang your cabinets.You’ll thank me later.
Curing time for latex paint is 3-7 days. Taking the time to let your cabinets cure properly will ensure long-lasting results and a beautiful finish.
If you are using chalkpaint, it drys a little quicker. Check out this article about chalkpaint tips, if using this type of paint.
If you are whitewashing your kitchen cabinets, you might want to learn more about whitewashing here.
The decision to paint or replace your cabinets depends on the current shape that they are in, so painting isn't a wise choice for all cabinets. If your cabinets are warped, chipped, or have other damages then painting them won't solve your problem.
The decision to paint or replace your cabinets depends on the current shape that they are in, so painting isn't a wise choice for all cabinets. If your cabinets are warped, chipped, or have other damages then painting them won't solve your problem.
Although painted kitchen cabinets can offer a fresh new look, they may not stand the test of time as well as other finishes. The surfaces of painted cabinets in high-traffic areas, like the kitchen island or near the sink, can be prone to chips, scratches, and general wear over time.
For wood, brushing is fine, but you may want to hire a professional for a good finish. Using a roller to paint cabinets is a lot faster than brush painting, however, the fabric on the roller will create a 'bobbly' texture on the surface. The texture a roller puts on cabinets makes it unsuitable for gloss paint.
When it comes to applying paint on kitchen cabinets, multiple thin coats will produce superior results compared to fewer thick ones. Two coats are generally recommended as a minimum; however, three coats may be necessary depending on several factors: Light-coloured paints applied onto dark may require more coverage.
Depending on what kind of primer you're using and the state of the cabinets, you will need 1-2 coats of primer. For many cabinets, one coat is plenty, but if you're uncertain, a second coat won't hurt as long as it's not applied too thick. When it comes to the actual paint, you will need at least two coats.
We recommend using one of two products: Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel or Benjamin Moore's Advance. Both of these products will give your cabinets a much longer paint lifespan because they're specifically designed for painting cabinets and trim.
It is important to sand down the top layer of protective finish, if you are painting existing kitchen cabinets, or to use a degreaser. I use 120-grit sandpaper to level out any imperfections in my cabinets, then finish with 220 grit for a smooth surface. Vacuum and wipe down any debris with a tack cloth.
Note, however, that just because you found the best paint finish for cabinets doesn't mean multiple coats won't be necessary. On the contrary, most cabinets require at least two coats of paint, even if you're using the best stuff available (though you may need more coats than this if you're using lesser products).
Oil-based paints: These also have a strong binder, which makes this category the hardest, most durable paint choice for cabinets, Mothershead says. But experts tend to not recommend them because they also release potentially toxic volatile organic compounds—not a good idea for the kitchen.
Professionally painted kitchen cabinets not only look fabulous but they typically last up to 10 years with proper care. Within that time frame, it's likely you'll have moved to a new house, or want to update the color of your kitchen. Painting is the cost-effective, ecological choice over buying new.
Colored kitchen cabinets may be losing some popularity, but this doesn't necessarily signal a return to wood tones. "White painted cabinets will remain a classic baseline," Cinque Cerra-Saunders says.
Before you start painting, most cabinets will require sanding the surface, filling in any cracks or uneven areas with wood filler, and allowing it to dry.
If your cabinets are old and outdated but you're not ready to replace them, try updating them with some fresh paint. Paint can work wonders on everything, and kitchen cabinets are no exception.
Can You Paint Over Cabinets Without Sanding? Skipping the sanding step is OK if you're making a change from one newly painted surface to another, or painting raw, unvarnished wood cabinets.
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