Considering a summer refresh for your kitchen cabinets? Refinishing cabinet doors is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to upgrade the look of your space. You can eliminate years of wear and tear while getting a beautiful transformation with minimal disruption to your life.
However, while you can save some money upfront with a DIY approach, there are a number of pitfalls along the way. Here’s a look at a few of the most common ones and the key advantages a professional brings to the table.
Common Mistakes Homeowners Make When Refinishing Cabinet Doors
Refinishing cabinet doors gives your kitchen or bathroom a fresh new look without the cost of a full replacement. However, it’s also a DIY project that can easily go wrong if not approached carefully. Many homeowners take it on with the best intentions, only to make mistakes and encounter setbacks along the way. Some of the most common ones include:
Leaving Cabinet Doors on to Refinish Them
One of the biggest missteps is trying to refinish cabinets with the doors still attached. While it may seem like a time-saver, this shortcut can result in uneven finishes, missed spots, and drips along hinges or hardware. Removing the doors allows for a smoother application and a higher quality finish.
Not Cleaning Cabinets Properly Before Refinishing
Proper prep work is critical, and that starts with cleaning. Over the years, cabinets collect grime, grease, and residue, especially in kitchens. Failing to clean them thoroughly prevents paint or finish from adhering properly, resulting in peeling or uneven coverage. It’s why using a degreasing cleaner and performing a light sanding are essential first steps.
Applying Thick Layers of Finish to Cabinet Doors
When it comes to refinishing cabinet doors, many homeowners apply finish or paint too heavily in an attempt to get the job done quickly. Unfortunately, this often leads to drips, bubbling, and extended drying times. Thin, even coats with sufficient drying time in between are vital to a smooth and durable finish.
Using the Wrong Products to Refinish Cabinet Doors
Not all paints and finishes are right for cabinetry. Choosing the wrong type, such as flat wall paint, can result in poor durability and premature wear. Be sure to use products specifically labeled for cabinets or furniture to ensure long-lasting results.
Using the Wrong Tools and Equipment When Refinishing Cabinets
Choosing the right tools is essential for like-new results. Brushes that leave visible streaks or rollers that add unwanted texture can take away from the overall appearance. For the best outcomes when refinishing cabinet doors, it’s important to use a good quality sprayer to ensure even coverage, a smooth surface, and a durable, lasting finish.
Not Allowing Enough Curing Time
Even if a finish feels dry to the touch, that doesn’t mean it has fully cured. Some paints and topcoats can take several weeks to reach their full hardness. As a result, rushing to assemble cabinets after refinishing can result in dents, smudges, or tackiness. Patience during this phase pays off in the final look and durability.
Not Labeling the Doors and Hardware Ahead of Time
Failing to label cabinet doors and hardware can turn reassembly into a puzzle. It’s easy to mix up doors that look nearly identical, leading to poor alignment or mismatched hinges. A simple system of labels or masking tape numbers ensures everything returns to its rightful place with ease.
5 Advantages of Professional Cabinet Door Refinishing
Refinishing your cabinet doors may seem like a manageable DIY weekend project. Yet, it’s one that often becomes more complicated, time-consuming, and frustrating than expected. While some homeowners attempt the process on their own, the results are rarely comparable to those achieved by a professional cabinet door refinisher. These specialists can deliver superior results along with:
1. Experience in Refinishing Cabinet Doors
A skilled cabinet door refinisher brings years of hands-on experience with different types of wood, finishes, and design goals. They understand how to properly clean, sand, prime, and paint or stain each cabinet surface. They also know how to refinish different woods, as well as how to fix common issues like uneven grain, water damage, or a prior poor refinishing job. Professionals can also offer custom color matching and specialized finishes, like antiquing or glazing, for a personalized look.
DIY Difficulties:
Without this level of experience, DIY cabinet door refinishing often becomes trial and error. You might not recognize signs of moisture damage or use the wrong techniques for your specific cabinet type. Mistakes in preparation or application can lead to streaks, bubbles, or peeling finishes, which are costly and frustrating to fix. Color matching is also nearly impossible without the proper tools and an eye for blending shades.
2. Access to Commercial-Grade Materials and Equipment
Professionals use commercial-grade products, including high-end paints, stains, primers, and sealants designed for long-lasting durability. They also have access to industrial cleaning agents and top-tier sprayers that provide an ultra-smooth finish. These materials not only enhance the look but also increase the lifespan of the refinishing job.
DIY Difficulties:
Home improvement stores offer lower-tier, consumer-grade products that don’t hold up as well to heat, moisture, and daily wear. In addition, tools like high-quality sprayers are expensive and can be difficult for a novice to use correctly. Inexperience with these products can lead to patchy application, drips, or finishes that wear down quickly.
3. A Faster, More Efficient Solution
With a team of trained technicians and a streamlined process, a cabinet door refinishing company can often complete the entire job in a matter of days. They bring the right number of people, follow a proven timeline, and minimize downtime, so there’s less inconvenience and disruption in your home.
DIY Difficulties:
Without help, a homeowner must tackle the project step by step, including removing doors, cleaning, sanding, painting, drying, and rehanging everything alone. Add in learning curves and setbacks, and what seemed like a weekend project can stretch into multiple weeks. Plus, you’ll have a space that’s out of commission for the foreseeable future, causing further disruption.
4. A Better and More Durable Outcome
Because cabinet refinishing companies combine experience with premium tools and materials, the final result is a finish that not only looks beautiful but long-lasting. Cabinets are sealed and protected against common kitchen elements like grease, heat, and humidity, making the finish resilient in environments with heavy use and foot traffic.
DIY Difficulties:
Even with your best effort, a DIY finish is unlikely to match the smoothness or durability of a professional one. Brush marks, uneven coatings, and early chipping or fading are common issues. The finish might look acceptable at first, but it typically shows signs of wear much sooner, especially in busy areas of the home.
5. Less Stress and Hassle for You
Probably one of the most underrated benefits of hiring an experienced company to refinish your cabinet doors is peace of mind. When you hire a pro, you can relax knowing the project is in capable hands. There’s no need to clear your schedule, buy tools, or deal with trial-and-error and learning curves. Instead, you can enjoy the transformation without lifting a finger other than clearing out cabinets and countertops.
DIY Difficulties:
DIY refinishing demands significant time, focus, and patience. You’ll need to coordinate materials, protect your home from dust and fumes, and troubleshoot any problems that arise along the way. It’s easy to underestimate the mental and physical effort involved, and the stress can quickly outweigh the potential savings.
When you want to transform your space, trust a professional for refinishing cabinet doors and enjoy stunning, lasting results minus the stress. Call your local N-Hance® today at (855) 642-6230 for a FREE consultation.