The Kitchen Cabinet Refinish Masters in Bay Area, Northern California reveal what not to do when repainting kitchen cabinets.
One of the easiest ways to give your kitchen a brand-new look is by painting your Bay Area home's kitchen cabinets without embarking on a complete remodel. Freshly painted cabinets will transform the entire room whether you choose an all-white cabinet, to a trendy sage green hue with brass hardware, to an eye-catching blue design and style.
It is not a surprise that doing all the DIY work is time consuming but affordable; however you will also want to sidestep some common cabinet painting mistakes in order to avoid chipped paint and perpetually dirty-looking cabinets down the line.
We asked Alex Rodriguez of The Kitchen Cabinet Refinish Masters - Bay Area's Premier Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing and Painting Company his first-hand experiences that he would like to share to every homeowner to avoid cabinet-painting mistakes the next time.
1. Understanding the Amount of Time it will Take
When painting kitchen cabinets, you need at least a full weekend on this project. Although it isn't a full-scale renovation, you should still set aside a little more time than you'd expect considering you might likely need to apply multiple coats of paint, and that each coat needs to dry for a few hours. Painting kitchen cabinets is often touted as a quick refresh for kitchens and you need time to ensure you did a good job on your DIY project.
2. Not Removing the Doors
To prevent drips and more ways to paint every surface of the cabinet inside and out, you need to remove the cabinet doors first. Although it may be tempting to brush on a new coat of paint without removing the cabinet doors, doing the first step is essential for best results. Plus, if you keep the cabinet doors out of the way, such as in a garage or separate workspace, you'll be less likely to bump into them as the paint is drying.
3. Skipping the Proper Prep Work
If you have patience and some DIY skills, this is a project you may be able to tackle yourself. Before you start painting, most cabinets will require sanding the surface, filling in any cracks or uneven areas with wood filler, and allowing it to dry. "The biggest mistake is not taking the time to properly understand what is needed to prep the cabinets for painting," says David Steckel, Thumbtack home expert.
Once sanded, use a damp cloth or a lint-free tack cloth to remove all of the dust and debris. Any small particles that aren't cleaned up can waft into the paint and ruin the pristine surface of the cabinet.
4. Not Thoroughly Cleaning the Cabinets
There's a good chance grease and grime are coating the doors and if you don't plan to sand your cabinets, you really should wash them clean with a solution of water and dish soap before applying paint. You should never paint over this—the paint will not adhere correctly if you do!
5. Failing to Label the Hardware and Doors
To make reattaching the doors much easier later on, number each cabinet door as you remove it. Some homeowners, when they DIY their kitchen cabinets, they usually forget what goes back where once all of the doors and hardware are removed, even if they don't have a ton of cabinets. Remember, pace the hardware for each door in a small bag and label each one with the coordinating cabinet number.
6. Not Protecting Your Kitchen Before Painting
Make sure to cover everything—floors, counters, appliances, etc.—in tarp, paper, or plastic covers to not ruin the rest of your kitchen in the process of painting your cabinets, instead protecting them from paint splatters and drips.
7. Applying Thick Layers of Paint
The best way to build up the surface is with multiple layers of thin paint since when painting kitchen cabinets, the goal is to create a durable surface that can survive daily use. Patience and waiting the recommended drying time between coats will pay off with a sturdy finish.
8. Not Using Primer
Primer creates a barrier so your chosen paint color can shine wheter you're starting with wood cabinets or dark paint. Primer can also generate some traction if the surface you're starting with is smooth and shiny because the paint will stick. Just be sure to use the right primer for the cabinets you're painting.
"Older cabinets are typically painted with oil paint. However, the most common paint today is latex paint. If you apply latex paint on top of oil-based paint, the paint will slowly peel off and require you to re-paint quicker than you anticipated," says Steckel. "Instead, use an oil-based primer and then apply the latex paint on your cabinets," he advises.
9. Using the Wrong Paint Finish
To make cabinets easier to wipe clean, a slightly shinier paint finish is ideal. Skip the matte paint in favor of semi-gloss or satin.
10. Not Letting the Cabinets Dry for Long Enough
Until the cabinets are fully cured to a hard, durable surface, they'll be more susceptible to chips and marks. Painted cabinets may be dry to the touch within a few hours, but the curing process can take several days. It's best to wait at least 48 hours before reattaching the cabinet doors and hardware, then be careful not to slam or scrape the doors for the first week.
11. Remodeling Your Kitchen After Painting the Cabinets
Remodeling your kitchen after painting your cabinets is a bit like cleaning your floors before dusting—you can end up messing up the work you've already done by going in the wrong order. If you replace your countertops or appliances after freshening up your cabinets, the cabinets could end up getting scuffed or damaged amidst the new changes and fittings. So, make sure painting is the last thing you do during a kitchen remodel.
TIPS FOR HIRING A PRO
Ask friends and family: Ask for their recommendations if anyone in your circle or anyone they know have worked with a painter.
Check the painter's experience: Alex Rodriguez of The Kitchen Cabinet Refinish Masters is a pro in painting cabinets. He is keen attention to detail and is exceptional in removing cabinet doors or drawers without damaging the cabinet itself.
Ask about time: When you call The Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing Company in Bay Area, you may request with Alex Rodriguez - Cabinet Painter, for how he project will take so you have a good idea of what you're up for before you dive into it. You may have to relocate furniture and other items ahead of time.
Ask for photos: You may also request recent examples of Alex Rodriguez' work and see how exceptional and superb quality he provides with each of his clients projects. You may also check our website and other social media to check these works.
Ask about equipment: Find out if Alex Rodriguez is comfortable purchasing paint and other materials on their own, or if you're required to pick up some of those tasks.
Request an estimate: Lastly, request a custom quote with Alex Rodriguez and other professionals in the Bay Area. To help you weigh your options. This doesn't necessarily mean you should opt for the least expensive service (sometimes you do get what you pay for).
Meet "Bay Area Cabinet Refinisher", Alex Rodriguez
"I am Alex Rodriguez. I am a perfectionist and very much care for the work I do. I always do my work as if I am doing it for my family. Clients are always very happy with my results. I am very neat and clean. I use high quality products and I can do any Custom Finish on Kitchen Cabinets."
Alex Rodriguez
Bay Area Cabinet Refinisher
Alex Rodriguez started in 1999. He first began stripping wooden furniture and millwork. He was taught to sand bare wood with an electric sander and by hand with a sanding block. After that, he learned how to stain wood to achieve an even color and to spray finish on a wood surface.
Throughout the years, he was blessed to have worked with experienced Master Wood Craftsmen and Cabinetry Artisans that were nice people who were willing to share their knowledge with him. He then learned to refinish kitchen cabinets, interior and exterior doors. Spray gloss finish, wet sand and buff to a high gloss sheen, like a car.
For kitchen and bathroom cabinet refinishing and repainting projects, please call Alex Rodriguez of The Kitchen Cabinet Refinish Masters at 510-880-1048 to Schedule a Custom Quote with our Experts!
THE KITCHEN CABINET REFINISH MASTERS
Division of Furniture Tech
Bay Area's Premier Kitchen Cabinets Refinishing and Painting Company
From interior to exterior kitchen cabinetry we offer the finest quality paint and refinishing for both Residential and Commercial Projects in and around San Francisco, Alameda, Danville, Blackhawk, and other surrounding nearby cities in Northern California.
Reach out to The Kitchen Cabinet Refinish Masters - Bay Area's premier Kitchen Cabinets Refinishing and Painting Company offering affordable services using the finest quality of paint and refinishing materials. We serve Homeowners, General Contractors, Property Managers, Interior Designers, Realtors, Hotels, and other clients in Northern California.
THE KITCHEN CABINET REFINISH MASTERS
Bay Area's Premier Cabinet Refinishing and Painting Company
Mondays to Saturdays
7:00am to 5:00am
WE ARE OPEN SIX DAYS A WEEK TO HELP BRING BACK LIFE TO YOUR KITCHEN CABINETS!
We Service Residential and Commercial Properties in and around Bay Area, San Francisco, Alameda, Blackhawk, Danville, San Leandro, Alamo, Berkeley, Lafayette, San Ramon, Oakland, Orinda, Walnut Creek, and other surrounding nearby neighborhood.
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