Whether it’s the kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, or the garage—proper preparation is critical. Cabinet painting is one of the most common DIY projects undertaken by homeowners. Unfortunately, painting cabinetry is one of the trickiest painting projects to take on yourself. Without proper prep, supplies, and environment, a DIY cabinet-painting project can quickly become a nightmare leading to peeling paint, warped doors, or a finish that doesn’t give you that professional, clean look. Here are the most common DIY cabinet painting mistakes and how you can avoid them.
6 Mistakes to Avoid in DIY Cabinet Painting
According to a study done by the Center on Everyday Lives of Families at the University of California Los Angeles, the kitchen and areas immediately surrounding it are the most-used area of a house. So, it makes sense you want a beautiful and unique kitchen. When cabinets start looking worn or dated, it doesn’t create that calm, magical space you envision for your home. So, here are 6 mistakes to avoid to ensure you get the results you seek.
1.) Improper Cleaning & Degreasing
Over the years, especially in a kitchen, cabinets accumulate years of oils and grease from cooking. If this grease isn’t thoroughly removed, even the best primer won’t make paint adhere well. Many homeowners assume that sanding alone is enough, but sanding is not cleaning. It will not remove grease, so a proper degreaser must be used, like acetone.
2.) Inadequate Sanding
Once cabinets are cleaned, they need to be sanded with the right grit to scuff the surface. Many DIYers don’t sand deeply enough, which keeps primer and paint from adhering. Proper sanding is the foundation of clean finish.
3.) Using the Wrong Primer
Not all primers are created equal. Some bond well but oftentimes won’t block tannins from bleeding through. Using the wrong primer leaves blotchy discoloration that ruins your paint job, especially if the cabinets have stain.
4.) Brush & Roller Texture
It’s understandable that the average homeowner doesn’t own professional spray equipment. Due to this, they often resort to brushes and rollers. While these can get the job done, they will leave visible strokes and textures you may not want on your cabinets. For a sleek, factory-like finish, spraying is the gold-standard method—a technique that requires hundreds of hours of experience and training to do properly.
In addition, KCMA approved coatings are almost always a spray-only application. So while brushing and rolling already produces an inferior finish, the inability to use high-quality KCMA approved coatings means using a lesser-quality product that will not last as long or be as durable.
5.) Painting in the Garage or Outdoors
Warping happens to cabinet doors painted out in the garage, a shed, the backyard, or anywhere they’re exposed to humidity and heat. Also, when you lay the doors flat to dry, you’re allowing the paint to catch dust and debris that will embed into your new paint job. Professionals use climate-controlled shops and vertical drying systems to avoid these issues.
6.) Taking Too Long To Finish
Everyone has responsibilities and jobs and families, so it makes sense to spread out many DIY projects. When it comes to DIY cabinet painting, though, it should not be spread out. It may seem fine, one weekend here, another evening there, but the longer cabinets sit half finished, the more likely they are to warp and collect dirt or dust. A professional team keeps the process consistent and efficient from start to finish.
A Better Way to Transform Your Cabinets
DIY cabinet painting is rewarding—if you have the skills, equipment, and patience to see the project through. At Jeff Bryant Painting, we don’t want you to experience the frustration that can ensue if you don’t have those things. We don’t just paint cabinets, we transform homes. Our expert team works with professional equipment and high-quality materials to ensure that your cabinets get the flawless, durable finish you’re aiming for the first time. To schedule a free in-home estimate and start creating your dream home, request a quote on our website.
