Professional Cabinet Painting Mistakes Homeowners Should Avoid in St. Louis, MO

7 Professional Cabinet Painting Mistakes Homeowners Should Avoid

Applying a fresh layer of paint is only one aspect of professional wood cabinet painting.

A quality cabinet painting project generally involves several preparation and finishing stages.

1. Skipping Thorough Cabinet Cleaning

The single most important mistake would be to apply paint on the cabinets without first removing grease, residue, dust, and dirt.

Oil stains as well as other residues can build up inside kitchen cabinets, and if left on the surfaces, will affect how well the primer and paint adhere to the cabinet.

Recommendation: Clean and degrease all cabinet doors and drawers before sanding or applying any primer.

2. Not Preparing the Surface Properly

A simple wipe down and painting won’t work in this case.

According to the material used for making cabinets and their finishes, preparation may require sanding, roughening, damage repair, and primer selection.

The lack of proper preparation can lead to:

• Peeling paint
• Chipping
• Uneven surfaces
• Visible imperfections
• Poor adhesion

Professional Cabinet Painting focuses heavily on preparation because the quality of the final finish depends on what happens before the paint is applied.

3. Using the Wrong Paint or Primer

Every paint for the house is not meant for the kitchen cabinets.

There should be a coating which could withstand touch, washing, moisture, and wear and tear. An improper primer or paint that may not last long can be a problem.

A cabinet painter considers the surface of the cabinets and uses paints which are compatible with the material used for the cabinets.

Tip for residents of St. Louis: Due to seasonal variations in humidity in the kitchen, surface treatment becomes very important.

4. Applying Too Much Paint at Once

More paint doesn’t necessarily mean better coverage.

Heavy coats can create:

• Runs
• Drips
• Sagging
• Longer drying times
• Uneven texture
• Visible application marks

Professional painters generally build the finish through controlled coats rather than trying to cover everything in one application.

This is one reason Cabinet spray painting can produce a particularly smooth appearance when performed correctly in a controlled environment.

5. Choosing the Wrong Application Method

While brushes, rollers and spraying equipment can all serve purposes, the proper application technique will depend on the type of cabinet material and coating.

For those who want a factory-finished look for their cabinets, spray-painting by professionals is definitely a great option provided the equipment, coating, surface preparation and spray application technique are done right.

Spraying professionally can reduce:

• Brush marks
• Roller texture
• Uneven coverage
• Visible application lines

If you’re researching spray painting in St. Louis, ask the contractor how cabinets are prepared, sprayed, dried, and protected throughout the process.

6. Painting without the Removal of the Cabinet Hardware and Doors

Doing a painting job that involves keeping the hardware in place will result in a hasty appearance.

The removal of doors and hardware makes it possible for the painting process to be done consistently. This way, the accumulation of paint near the hinges or causing the parts to stick together is prevented.

Make sure to label the doors and hardware prior to doing your painting project.

7. Using the Cabinets Before the Finish Has Fully Cured

Another mistake that is overlooked often is taking the assumption that if it’s dry, it must be fully cured.

The surface of the cabinet may be dry but the coating is still not complete in terms of its hardness. This could damage the finish as well when you open, close, clean, or touch the surface with objects.

A professional job for painting a cabinet must have proper drying and curing times.