Painting the kitchen cabinets is the ideal way to refurbish your kitchen space and it saves substantial money compared to refacing the cupboards. 

However, if the project is improperly handled, it will turn into a tremendous amount of work for professionals and end extensive repairs and expenses for you. Read here for steps on painting kitchen cabinets like a pro.

While painting walls may be relatively straightforward, cupboards pose more of a challenge since they come in different material types and varied finishes. To have a quality result, it's important to follow distinct steps and techniques lauded by the professionals. 

Many homeowners, in fact, ultimately decide to reach out to a quality and qualified painter with extensive experience in this aspect of the industry instead of risking costly mistakes.

Companies like Elite Trade Painting are dedicated to following the highest standards to transform kitchens into spaces that meet functional needs and aesthetic desires.

Elite Trade Painting

3667 Strawberry Hill St. # 106

Halifax, NS

B3K 5A8 

+1 (877) 663-5483 

https://elitetradepainting.com

Avoid These Mistakes When Painting Kitchen Cabinets

Many homeowners strive to find the most cost-efficient ways to completely and instantly transform their kitchen space. Paint is always the go-to for an affordable update; however, the biggest impact in the kitchen will involve paining the kitchen cabinets and this project comes with challenges.

Whether handling prep, the actual painting process, or waiting on the paint to dry, there are several mistakes you should familiarize yourself with. This way you can avoid these problems to realize a professional result that lasts for years. 

Visit - 9 Essential Tips for Painting Kitchen Cabinets • Refresh Living - for essential kitchen cabinet painting tips. Consider these common cupboard painting mistakes and learn the best ways to avoid them to achieve the most successful outcome.

Failing to test the paint color

Picking a cupboard paint color is the most challenging part. The cabinets occupy a vast space in the kitchen. Choosing the wrong color for a room you spend much time in can cause frustration and a lack of enjoyment. 

The way to ensure you have the ideal shade is to test it by painting the inside of one of the doors and leave it open for a couple of days to see how it looks at different time of the day. If it doesn't work for you, pick another hue and do it again until you find one that appeals to you.

Painting prep

Proper painting prep i vital when it comes to cupboard painting. Cabinets are exposed to much abuse each day, particularly in a busy household. Not only is there extensive wear, but the surface is splattered with grease and moisture, making painting more of a challenge.

When the surfaces are not adequately prepped, this can result in the new paint peeling, cracking, or chipping. With proper prep to include sanding, cleaning, and priming, you can rest assured that the paint will adhere to the surface for an extended lifespan. Go here for guidance on painting cupboards so they last.

Incorrect prep

Different cabinet materials require varied prep methods and painting techniques. When not considering the material type, it can lead to uneven coverage, poor adhesion, or premature paint failure. The most cohesive paint material is wood. 

If you're working with anything other than wood, compressed – faux wood, or MDF – medium-density fiberboard, there will likely be much more prep involved.  Plastic-coated, laminate, and other shiny types of materials can be painted, but the recommendation is to leave these for the professionals.

They require an additional amount of prep to ensure the paint adheres to the surfaces which can be challenging. 

Also, you want to adequately tape off the cupboards and properly cover or store everything from the kitchen to avoid spilling paint on the items. This can take additional time, but it's faster than removing paint from places it doesn't belong when the project is finished.

Keeping the doors and hardware on

It may seem like it saves time to keep the doors and hardware on the cupboards when painting the kitchen cabinets, but this can actually make the process much more complicated and time intensive. 

Professional painters know that this is a recipe for trouble and will always remove the hardware and doors before starting the job. There's a high likelihood for getting paint on the hinges when the hardware is left on or having a buildup on the edges that interferes with the door's use.

You get an even, clean coverage on the frames and the doors when the doors are removed without getting paint on hardware or other areas where it doesn't belong. It's wise to label the doors inside and keep the hardware in a baggy with coordinating labels to prevent issues when putting the cupboards back together.

You want to wait a minimum of 48 hours before reassembling the cabinets to ensure they have time to cure. Rushing the drying time can lead to paint damage when the doors stick. 

The doors should be handled with care for the first week or so, avoid scratching or slamming them.  You want to allow them to fully harden for an extended durability.

Painting over grease

Grease splatter can build up on cabinets when from the steam when pulled from the stove, settling on the outer surfaces. The cupboard edges and hardware are prone to accumulate the natural oils from your fingers. 

When prepping the cabinets for painting, a degreaser is recommended for removing these stubborn layers, which can otherwise interfere with proper adhesion.

Failing to add a primer coat

The ideal way to make sure the paint coverage is even, particularly when changing the cupboard color from dark to light, is to use a primer before painting. The primer will have a different finish than the topcoat and will act to seal the surface, conceal stains, and provide a smooth, even platform for your finish coat. 

The primer will go on after you have filled gaps, holes and cracks, sanded the surfaces and wiped down the cabinets for a smooth platform.

Final Thought

Choosing an expert painting provider for your residential project guarantees the highest level of professionalism and the greatest attention to detail. You won't need to settle for anything less than perfection