Do you want to change what your kitchen looks like without spending a lot of money on kitchen remodeling? Well, painting your kitchen cabinet can be a good idea to give your kitchen a fresh look. This is not only a cost-effective solution but is also a preferable option because many people consider painting the kitchen cabinet a DIY task.
Though it can be done easily, you need to take care of many things while you are planning to paint your kitchen. From removing material from your room to painting with perfection, there are many things to be done. However, many people don’t pay much attention to the details and end up making mistakes. So, knowing these common mistakes is important before starting to paint your kitchen cabinets.
Let’s find out what these common mistakes are.
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Painting Your Kitchen Cabinets
Some of the common mistakes people are most likely to make while they are painting their kitchen cabinets are:
Not Choosing the Right Paint Color
This is probably the most important step in painting kitchen cabinets. The cabinets occupy most of the space in your kitchen which is why coloring them right is important for the overall aesthetic appeal of your kitchen. So, make sure you are choosing the right color for your kitchen cabinetry.
The color you choose should go well with the existing interior and appliances in your kitchen. If you are not sure what the color will be after painting and drawing, then it is recommended to experiment on the inner side of the cabinet door and check what it turns out during different times of the day. This will help you to make the right choice regarding paint color.
Not Preparing Enough for Painting Job
Painting the kitchen cabinet requires a lot of work. One of the crucial steps in painting a kitchen cabinet is to prepare the space before actually beginning the painting process. Depending on the cabinet choice, there are different levels of preparation required. So, make sure you follow the preparation instructions thoroughly so you can paint the cabinet easily.
For instance, before actually beginning the painting job, it is recommended to remove the drawers and doors of the kitchen cabinets as well as to keep the screws and knobs open. If you let these structures stay intact then you won’t be able to paint the cabinets properly. So make you skip no step while preparing the space.
Not Concealing Imperfections Before Painting
Once you clear the space and have made the necessary preparations to start painting the kitchen cabinets, the next step is to conceal the imperfections. These imperfections normally appear as holes, scratches, cracks, etc.
So, make sure you fix them first before painting. Without hiding and covering these imperfections, you won’t be able to get a smooth finish and this will affect what your cabinetry will look like. This is because the paint will fill these spaces leaving behind poorly textured and unfinished cabinet surfaces.
Not Removing Dust Properly
Another important part of painting a kitchen cabinet is to clean the surface first. The area you want to paint should be free from all sorts of dust particles. If you fail to clean the surface properly then the paint will have a grainy appearance. So, before you begin painting properly, clean the room and make it free from dust by wiping it off properly.
Not Sanding
You might think that sanding the surface is not required for painting the surface of the kitchen cabinet. However, make sure you are using a sander to clear out the surface properly. Though it may directly paint the surface, sanding may offer additional benefits. Sanding using the right supply will not only clean the surface but will let the primer and paint have a better grip on the surface.
Do sanding before beginning the painting work, then apply primer and let the surface completely dry. Moreover, sanding between while applying different paint color layers.
Skipping Primer
Another common mistake people make while painting their kitchen cabinets is to skip the process of priming. Many people believe that applying surface primer is not necessary for painting. However, applying primer onto the surface produces better results after painting. Yes, this helps to prepare the cabinet surface for the painting. Primer also improves the grip of paint particles and produces a smoother seamless finish. It is also recommended to use the stain-free primer to keep the surface clean from the stain.
Applying Thick Paint Coat
If you are painting the cabinet surface for the first time, you might not have an idea about the recommended thickness of the paint coat. You may end up applying uneven paint coats that can harm the overall appearance of your cabinetry. Uneven surfaces and bubbles on the painted surface can be the biggest fail. So, make sure you use the wet gauge to measure the thickness of the paint and then paint with perfection in a single go.
Not Letting Paint Dry
Mostly painting the kitchen cabinets requires several coats of paint. To apply a subsequent layer of paint, one must let the first layer dry properly. It may take up to several hours for the paint layer to dry properly. If you don’t let the first paint layer dry properly then you may not have the desired results. So, make sure you leave the first layer dry well before adding a second coat.
Having Single Coat
Some people may think that a single coat of paint is enough for the cabinet. However, in most cases more than one coat is usually needed. So, rather than skipping the second coat and wrapping up the painting process, confirm whether a second paint coat is required or not. For this, leave the first coat to dry well and check if your cabinet looks good enough. If not then apply a second coat.
Bottom Line
Painting the kitchen cabinet is an easy DIY task. However, make sure you are doing it with great care and paying attention to the details to prevent common mistakes. If you still feel like you can’t do it on your own, get help from a professional.