If you’re looking to give your kitchen a makeover without spending a fortune for a pricey remodel, you can simply repaint your cabinets for a fresh look that will transform the space. It’s best to call a professional interior painter in San Francisco for this job, but if you’re thinking of doing it yourself, check out these common mistakes to avoid when painting cabinets.
1. Not Removing Drawers, Doors, and Hardware
Anything worth doing is worth doing well, so don’t skimp on the prep work. Before you start mixing paint, remove all cabinet doors, pull out drawers, and unscrew pulls and knobs. Empty the cabinets and drawers. To make reassembly easier later, clearly label where each piece should be returned.
2. Not Washing Cabinets
Over time, grease and grime build up the surface of your kitchen cabinets. Wipe them down with a rag and a mixture of dish soap and water. Use a toothbrush to get into the crevices and corners. Then, disinfect the drawers inside and out, and the front and back of all cabinets.
3. Not Scraping Off Old Paint
If your already-painted cabinets are in good condition, you can apply a new coat on top. But if your cabinets have old paint that is starting to chip, you need to scrape all that off before applying a new coat. You can make your job easier by picking up some paint stripper at the hardware store.
4. Not Covering the Imperfections
Don’t just cover up those imperfections with paint. They will be highlighted and look more glaring than ever. Instead, take the time to patch cracks, and fill in holes, scratches or dents with spackle or wood filler. You’ll need a putty knife to smooth it all out. Once dry, sand it down to a smooth texture.
5. Not Sanding
In the same vein, don’t forget to sand your cabinets before painting. This is a crucial step, as the paint will adhere better to freshly-sanded surfaces. Be mindful of sanding corners and crevices of all drawers and cabinets. You may also want to do some sanding after each coat of primer as well as paint before applying a final layer. This will give the cabinets a smooth finish.
6. Not Priming
A lot of DIY’ers make this mistake. Just like sanding, applying primer to your cabinetry helps the paint stick better. It also covers up and smooths any imperfections, while hiding the former color. If you had white paint before, it’s not as big of a deal. But if you had black or dark blue cabinets before and want them to be gray, you can’t skip the primer step.
7. Not Applying a Second Coat
A second or final coat pf paint is essential in giving your cabinets a nice solid look with no streaks or remnants of the former color.
8. Not Allowing Enough Dry Time
Follow the paint can directions for dry times. If you get impatient, it’s easy to smudge damp cabinetry while reassembling everything. Give it overnight to dry at least.
9. Not Considering the Style of the Rest of the Room
Painting your cabinets a different color may sound great but don’t forget to visualize how that change will impact the rest of the kitchen’s style and look. A new cabinet paint color always carries the potential to change the appearance of colors around it, such as surrounding walls and counter tops. For example, if you want to paint your cabinets white but your walls are off-white or cream, they could end up appearing yellowish or dirty. This would add to the cost if you have to redo the project entirely in light of those new developments. Try out swatches of cabinet color on the walls for a few days to see how the space would be transformed.
10. Not Choosing the Right Paint
Choosing the right type of paint will make it easier to clean and improve its overall look. In the kitchen, it’s best to go with paints with high gloss and sheen, such as eggshell, semi-gloss, or gloss. Take some time to think about color, too. You don’t want it to be too bold or trendy, or be something you’ll get bored of in a month. It’s best to go neutral with the paint and add pizzazz with the accessories and hardware. Those aren’t as permanent and can be switched out over the years as needed.
Get a Cabinet Painting Quote From Fresh Start
Fresh Start Painting SF in Daly City CA is your source for cabinet painting in San Francisco. Trust us to transform your kitchen or bathroom with a fresh coat of paint by the experts. Contact us today at (415) 347-7689 for a free quote and consultation.