Painting cabinets can look great and really update the look of a space, but there are many potential mistakes to be aware of and avoid!
- You don’t allow enough time: Typically this DIY project cannot be completed correctly in just one afternoon. 4-7 days is more realistic in order to allow enough prep time before painting.
- Not removing doors and drawers: Some DIYers try to leave the doors on and drawers in and plan to just paint over hardware and hinges but this isn’t the best idea. The paint will start to chip and look worn within a month or so, so it’s best to put in the effort to remove them before painting to save yourself from extra work later.
- Not de-greasing: You may keep a clean home and think your cabinets are clean enough to begin painting, but if a de-greaser is not applied to the cabinets prior to painting, the paint will not adhere correctly to the cabinets which will cause major issues.
- You skip sanding: Sanding is a crucial step to take before painting. Use a 150 grit sandpaper to lightly sand the surface of the cabinets which will help the paint to go on smoothly.
- You don’t label drawers and doors: It’s a good idea to label doors and drawers so that you know exactly where to put them after painting.
- Not priming: Even though it’s more work, using a primer before painting is necessary. A stain blocking primer is best and will prevent wood grain from showing through the paint as time goes by.
- Putting the doors back on too soon: It’s tempting to rush to put the cabinets back together but it’s super important to allow the paint to dry and cure correctly before putting everything back.