Painting your own cabinets sounds great in theory. You’ll get a kitchen that is refreshed with brighter, bolder, or more sophisticated-looking cabinets. All those scratches, scuff marks, and other little imperfections that have been staring you down will be gone. Left behind will be freshly painted cabinets that elevate the space and improve your quality of life in it. The question is: should you handle the job on your own or bring in professional cabinet painters?

While the choice is always yours to make, there are some considerations to keep in mind when you’re tackling this project. First and foremost, painting your own cabinets is not as easy as it seems. Unless you’re an experienced cabinet painter, it’s simple to make a mistake that can lead to an end result you don’t love. You’ll then have spent a lot of time and effort on a project that doesn’t deliver the returns you were aiming for.

So why exactly is cabinet painting so tricky? For a few reasons, including some of these common mistakes:

Disaster #1: Cutting Corners = Drip Marks & A Messy Finish

When you want to paint your cabinets, you want the job done as quickly as possible. However, this is a project that takes time and effort, including removing your cabinet doors and drawer fronts. If you cut corners and skip this step, you’re going to wind up with drip marks and a messy end result. 

In addition, if your cabinet doors are left in place, they’re easy to bump into and smudge when the paint is wet. While it takes a little extra time upfront to remove everything, you’ll actually save hassles and headaches down the line by handling the job properly. 

Disaster #2: Not Labeling = A Re-Hanging Nightmare

As you’re removing your cabinet doors and drawer fronts, you’re going to want to label them, so you know what goes where once you’re ready to hang everything. It sounds like a small step, but it will prevent a major problem down the line when you’re done painting. If you don’t number everything, you won’t know which doors should be re-hung where. 

Also, don’t forget to place the hardware in small baggies with the corresponding cabinet numbers on them, so you know which screws, pulls, and knobs go with which cabinets. 

Disaster #3: Skipping Prep Time = A Less Durable Finish

When it comes to most home improvement projects, the prep work is typically the most important step in the process. If you skip it or handle it in haste, then it’s going to wind up biting you in the end. 

Cabinet painting is no different. If you don’t take the time to thoroughly clean your cabinets using a degreaser, as well as sanding and priming, then you can’t expect the final look to be flawless.

Disaster #4: Painting On Thick Layers = A Finish That Will Peel & Chip

Painting your cabinets takes time and patience. The best approach, whether you’re painting them a similar color, or a completely different hue, is to apply two coats. 

If, however, you apply one thick coat instead, assuming you’ll get the same results, you’ll wind up with a mess on your hands. Not only will thick coats take forever to dry, but they will chip and peel far easier once cabinets are back in use. This means they’ll be less durable in the long run.

Disaster #5: Using the Wrong Paint = A Hard-to-Clean, Vulnerable Finish

Not all paints are created equal. Some are made for walls, while others are made for high-touch areas, like cabinets. If you use wall paint on your cabinets, you won’t get the strong, long-lasting finish you need for your cabinets. 

Another mistake made when choosing paint? The wrong finish. Matte paints are not a practical choice for a kitchen environment since they can’t be easily cleaned. Satin, gloss or semi-gloss are the best options instead.

Disaster #6: Rehanging Cabinets Before They’re Dry = Smudges & Smears

You want to rehang your cabinets quickly and enjoy them. However, don’t try to speed up the process and hang them before they are fully dry. You’ll smudge or smear the paint, requiring a lot of touch-ups that can drip. 

If your cabinets aren’t fully cured and you’re handling them, then they’ll also become more susceptible to chips and other marks. Instead, be patient and wait at least a full 48 hours before rehanging your cabinets. For the first week, handle them with care.

Ways Professional Cabinets Painters Make the Process So Much Easier

If this sounds like a lot to handle on your own, it is. Professional cabinet painters know how to avoid these mistakes and ensure a flawless end result. It’s why so many homeowners opt to hire a pro instead. Not only can they make the job of painting cabinets easier, they can also:

  • Help you choose a great color. You might have your heart set on a certain color. However, a professional cabinet painter will be able to tell whether it’s a good fit for the space. For instance, if your kitchen is small, a dark color will make it seem more cramped. A pro can help you to make the best choices for your kitchen.
  • Handle the job expertly. When it comes to painting cabinets, it takes more knowledge and expertise than you might think. For instance, a professional cabinet painter will understand how to best repair, sand and prime the surface, so the paint best adheres to it. They also have access to commercial-grade equipment that delivers a factory-like, smooth finish that is hard to come by with brushes or rollers. 
  • Avoid DIY disasters. When you hire a professional, you can avoid the hassles and headaches that often come with handling a job of this magnitude on your own. For many DIY-ers, they either use the wrong tools or products, then wind up with chipping and peeling, especially around the door knobs and drawer pulls. With a pro, though, you don’t have to worry about these issues and can simply enjoy beautiful results. 
  • Complete the job faster. Handling a project like cabinet painting takes a lot of time up and means your kitchen is out of commission during the process. With a professional painter, your downtime will be minimized. You can be back up and running in your kitchen in a matter of days, not weeks.
  • Get a factory-like finish. Painting cabinets on your own will undoubtedly lead to drip marks, smears, fingerprints, and other tiny imperfections. Some people don’t mind these. For others, though, it’s a problem. A professional cabinet painter knows how to avoid and prevent them to ensureg a superior finish in the end.
  • Give you peace of mind. If you don’t like the outcome of your DIY project, you either have to spend more money and call in a pro to fix it or start over yourself. When you hire an experienced cabinet painter from the start, though, you’ll have peace of mind. They often offer guarantees and warranties, which means even if there’s an issue, they’ll fix it.

If you’re looking for a professional cabinet painter, put N-Hance® on your list. Our services can renew your cabinets dramatically and transform your space quickly, easily and affordably. Call (855) 642-6230 to set up a FREE consultation.