5 Mistakes You’re Making When Painting Kitchen Cabinets

5 Mistakes You’re Making When Painting Kitchen Cabinets

Painting your kitchen cabinets might seem like an easy DIY project, but it’s important to take care of some of the details that can make or break your paint job.

Whether you’re planning to paint the whole room, change the color, or just do touch-ups, there are some mistakes that you should avoid at all costs when painting kitchen cabinets.

Here are five things you should never do when painting kitchen cabinets.

1) Not planning enough

Before you get started, take a moment to create a plan for your painting project. Make sure you have everything ready before you start applying paint.

Use painter’s tape to mask off cabinets and trim that you don’t want painted. It’s easier to remove tape before paint has dried than to try removing it after it has dried and adhered to the surface.

Plan out where you will place all of your tools, materials, and drop cloths so that they are easy to find when you need them. Set up ladders or other equipment in advance so that they are ready at hand when required.

If possible, do some dry-runs in advance so as not to waste time on your actual painting day running around looking for missing tools or supplies.

2) Not using primer

It may seem unnecessary to prime cabinets, but bare wood attracts moisture, which will show up as ugly blotches in your paint job.

Instead of saving time by skipping primer, you’ll end up spending even more time painting over those blotches.

Use a good quality primer on any surface that is susceptible to water damage and humidity—basically anything that touches food or can get wet. It’s a small step, but it will make all of your future painting jobs easier and keep your finished product looking fresh for longer.

For example, oil-based paints work better on oil-based primers; latex paints work better with latex primers. If you don’t know what kind of primer to use, just ask at your local hardware store—they’re usually happy to help!

3) Wasting money on expensive paint

Homeowners tend to go overboard when they want to update their kitchens. Instead of starting small, they buy top-of-the-line cabinets, appliances and countertops.

But you don’t need pricey paint or high-end brushes—just some sandpaper, old clothes and a few cans of paint. If you do buy paint that’s more expensive than your average can (at least $30 for a gallon), make sure it’s oil based because it will stick better than latex and be easier to touch up later on.

Otherwise, just get cheapo paint from any hardware store; no one will know or care what brand you used if your kitchen looks great at half of its original price tag!

4) Not waiting long enough between coats

Remember, you don’t want a lot of paint on your brush. The right amount of paint to use in each coat is critical to ensure that you get a smooth, shiny finish with no lumps or bumps.

It’s also important not to put too much paint on at one time as it can run off and affect adjacent surfaces if you aren’t careful. Plan on giving your kitchen cabinets three coats—if it doesn’t say so in the instructions, then three is probably right.

If you have extra money for supplies, buy more than you think you need. And make sure to allow enough drying time between coats; most manufacturers recommend waiting 24 hours before applying another coat.

If you’re painting over old paint, let it dry completely before applying new paint (and be sure to scrape away any loose bits). To avoid getting drips and runs, work slowly and cover up nearby areas as needed (like flooring).

5) Buying cheap brushes and rollers

A lot of people go cheap on their painting supplies, and while it can be tempting to spend as little as possible when you’re just getting started, it’s not a good idea.

Cheap paintbrushes are actually more expensive in the long run—the bristles fall out and leave streaks. Cheap rollers won’t provide an even coat, which can lead to dry spots that will show through your fresh coat of paint.

Investing in decent brushes and rollers is important so that you get a professional-looking finish every time. For example, high-quality brushes are absorbent enough to grab onto wet paint and roll smoothly over walls for a perfectly even coat.