Thanks to a rise in programs on HGTV and websites like Pinterest, cabinet painting seems super easy. All you have to do is sand, paint and voilà, you have a beautiful new kitchen to come home to. 

However, the reality of the situation is a little different. And it’s why so many homeowners make mistakes that are not only disappointing in terms of results but can also have a negative impact on home value. 

To ensure this doesn’t happen to you and your property, here are a few common missteps to avoid in cabinet painting.

Mistake #1: Assuming Cabinet Painting is Quick 

While cabinet painting might take less time than a full kitchen renovation, it’s not a job that can get completed on a Friday night or Saturday afternoon. It’s more involved than and takes a great deal more time. From cleaning off and labeling cabinets to sanding, priming, painting, and clean up, there are many steps involved that take a lot more than a few hours. So be prepared to spend some time on the project, anywhere from four to seven days if you want to handle the job properly. 

Mistake #2: Cutting Corners When Cleaning

Your kitchen cabinets take a beating every day. No matter how big your household, everything from water, grease, food, and fingerprints get on them and must be removed before you can begin painting. Many times, though, homeowners think they can simply wipe down their cabinets quickly with a damp rag or paper towel. However, to perform this step properly, you need to use a product that’s specifically designed to remove grease. 

Mistake #3: Forgetting to Label

In your excitement to dive into the project and get the doors and drawers off, forgetting to label them can cause a major headache down the line. You can’t just put them back on in any way. To look right, they have to return to their original home, which is impossible to do if you don’t properly label them. 

A numbered system on masking or painting tape works fine along with a corresponding drawing of your kitchen. You can also put notes on the tape, such as “above the sink,” so there’s no second-guessing. 

Mistake #4: Skipping Out on Sanding

Your cabinets might be in perfect, pristine condition. However, that doesn’t mean you can avoid the sanding step. In fact, this is critical if you want the paint to stick to the surface. Even if your cabinets are in great shape, they still need a bit of buffing to get the job done right. Just don’t sand too far where you’re getting down to bare wood or damaging it. A little sanding goes a long way. 

Mistake #5: Approaching the Cabinet Painting Process Wrong

When it comes to painting cabinets, you can’t just remove them, put them on the floor and paint them. You need to:

  • Ensure any dust from the sanding process has been cleaned off. Even a tiny bit will ruin the final look of your cabinets. 
  • Elevate them on pyramids when you’re painting, so you get to the corners and sides in an even manner. 
  • Paint the backs first. That way, if you turn them over and they get smudged in any way, it’s on the inside of the cabinet door, not on the front. 

Mistake #6: Not Using Primer

Using primer in the process is essential because it covers any flaws in your cabinet doors. If you don’t use it, your cabinets might look great for a few weeks, but then issues are going to start to bleed through. Primer covers these all up, truly giving your cabinets a fresh new start. 

Mistake #7: Picking the Wrong Color

With so many colors out there, it’s easy to get swept away by a bold or trendy one. But when you’re taking on a project this big, you want to get it right the first time and not have to repaint because you don’t care for the color. 

To avoid this, choose a few colors and then test them out in your kitchen. You can paint a piece of paper or a poster board with your selections. But this way, they’re in the space, exposed to the same light and ambiance as the actual cabinets, so you’ll get a better sense of whether it’s a color you love. 

Mistake #8: Putting Cabinets Back on Too Early

It’s better to take a few days to let your cabinets cure, even though it’s a hassle, than to put them back on too quickly. If you do, they can get smudged or damaged, requiring you to go through the whole process again. That means sanding, cleaning, priming, and re-painting. 

A Mistake Free Option? N-Hance Cabinet Painting

Of course, each and every one of these mistakes can be easily avoided when you turn to N-Hance® for cabinet painting. We’re experts in the job and can handle it from start to finish in a way that’s easy, convenient and affordable for you, all with a stunning outcome you will simply love. 

We offer an endless array of options when it comes to colors and even have styling choices to select from, like glazing and antiquing. On top of all that, with our Lightspeed® Nano Instant-Cure Wood Refinishing system, we can cure your cabinet doors instantly, so the job is fast, too. Whatever your vision, we can bring it to life in a way that works best for you!

Avoid DIY mistakes and choose N-Hance for your cabinet painting project. Call (855) 642-6230 today for a FREE estimate!