Painting your kitchen cabinet takes a lot of patience because all the necessary tasks are somewhat time-consuming. But this is the best thing you can do if you want to make your kitchen cabinet look sparkling.
Nobody wants to have kitchen cabinets that are only attractive or painted for aesthetic reasons; durable kitchen cabinets are what everyone wants. It will be very upsetting to go through the entire painting process only to discover that the paint is flaking off a few months later.
To ensure that your painted cabinets last as long as possible, you must take all reasonable precautions to keep them safe from harm such as impact, dirt, moisture, scuffs, peeling paint, etc. If not, you might end up repainting your cabinets much sooner than anticipated.
The best advice for extending the lifespan of your painted kitchen cabinets is provided below to ensure this doesn’t happen.
Before Painting Your Cabinets
- Give your cabinets the best possible start
For your cabinets to have a hard, smooth, factory finish, we advise having a flawless paint job done by highly qualified professionals who know the procedure, the tools, and the skills needed. Also necessary are top-notch paints. Choose wisely from the start if you want your painted cabinets to last.
- Make the necessary preparations
Start by taking apart every cabinet component, then clean it thoroughly, ensuring no signs of grease or dust on the surfaces. Remove the handles, drawers, and knobs; label them for simple reassembly after painting. This will guarantee that every area is cared for to apply paint effectively.
Using masking tape, isolate any areas that won’t be painted. Seal all visible holes in the wood’s surface with wood filler before sanding the cabinet, beginning with the hard areas and omitting the door ends.
Use tougher sandpaper, such as grade 220, on stained cabinets to make sure that every surface is clean and smooth before applying the final coat of paint.
- Invest in high-quality paint
Naturally, the highest quality paint products produce the most protective coatings. After completing the necessary preparation work, you or your neighborhood painters should decide on the best paint for your cabinets.
Oil-based and latex paints can be used to paint cabinets, but latex offers a more even coating and dries faster than the former. The former also frequently leaves visible brush strokes.
Whatever paint type you decide on, you’ll also need to pick the best paint finish for cabinets. The majority of experts advise choosing high-gloss or semi-gloss paints because glossier finishes are more protective and simpler to clean.
After painting your cabinets, it’s time to protect them:
- Seal your cabinets
Finish the job by sealing your cabinets with a clear topcoat to extend the life of your cabinet painting. The varnishes used for these sealing options include those made of polyurethane, nitrocellulose, spar urethane, waterborne acrylic, and more. When applied correctly, these topcoats effectively add a second, plastic-like layer to your paint job.
Make sure the sealer you employ is designed to be used on top of painted surfaces. Also, keep in mind that some of these varnishes may cause white cabinets to turn yellow. Therefore, take care if you’ve decided to paint your cabinets white and don’t want to compromise their natural tone.
- Do a regular cleaning
You are responsible for taking good care of your cabinets after they have been appropriately painted. Cleaning your kitchen cabinets frequently is the best way to maintain their strength and beauty.
Avoid using abrasive cleaners and cleaning pads on these features because you’ll need to be gentle to avoid scratching them. Dust, dirt, grease, and minor stains can all be removed with water and eco-friendly detergents.
To remove more difficult stains, combine two parts baking soda with one part warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Then, gently rub the stain with a soft cloth until it disappears.
After cleaning, be sure to completely dry your cabinets inside and out because moisture can damage paint, warp wood, and attract pests.
- Manage your internal climate
Your kitchen’s climate is one of the biggest dangers to your painted cabinets. Kitchens that are frequently used typically experience significant changes in humidity and temperature due to the use of various appliances.
Even if they are entirely sealed by paint, these climatic variations can cause your cabinets and other features to expand, warp, and contract.
Try to keep your kitchen at a constant temperature of about 70 degrees Fahrenheit and keep the relative humidity between 25% and 55% to lessen these effects.
Maintaining these conditions in the kitchen can be challenging, but it’s crucial to be mindful of them if you want to prolong the life of your painted cabinets.
- Do not let your cabinets be in the sun
Protecting your painted kitchen cabinets from external forces should be your top priority, but remember that sunlight can also harm your cabinets. Your paint job may fade over time from prolonged exposure to sunlight.
Certain types and colors of paint are more susceptible to this fading. Still, if you’d prefer to keep your cabinets looking new, you can reduce the amount of natural light that enters your cabinets daily by closing the shades or blinds at particular times.
- Reduce the amount of dust, dirt, and moisture
By improving your internal environment with appropriate ventilation, you can ease your life even more and protect your cabinets even more. For example, kitchen and bathroom cabinets are located in humid areas; the moisture from sinks, showers, etc., can gradually erode the paint job on your cabinets.
Also, poor ventilation can cause dust to build up in your house, harming any interior painting you may have done.
You can prevent moisture, dust, and dirt buildup on your ceilings, walls, and cabinets by keeping up with HVAC maintenance, repairs, or replacement. Your interior paint will last much longer, and you won’t need to clean as frequently or thoroughly.
- Maintain the lifespan of your kitchen cabinets
The professionals at Craftsmill are available to help you paint and protect your kitchen cabinets so you can use them for a very long time. Reach out to learn more about who we are and what we do!
FAQ
- Should I poly over painted cabinets?
If you paint your kitchen cabinets with durable paint, you don’t need to add a polyurethane finish. If you go with a less resilient paint, a clear polyurethane topcoat can help it last longer by preventing early wear. Regrettably, not all polyurethane finishes work well with all kinds of paint.
- What not to use on painted cabinets?
Avoid using abrasive cleaners or cleaning equipment on your cabinet paint, regardless of its finish—whether lacquer, semi-gloss, or anything else. The paint can become dull or damaged if you use abrasive cleaners or tools. Avoid using highly acidic or alkaline detergents.
