Getting a recent coat of paint in your kitchen cupboards is like getting your hair achieved. It’s modern shiny, and you may’t wait to point out it off. Nevertheless, in case you don’t get it proper the primary time, you’ll have to stay with the disgrace for weeks!
Okay, perhaps that’s a bit dramatic.
However the actuality is DIY portray your kitchen cupboards could be disastrous in case you haven’t achieved it earlier than. So, to get it proper the primary time (and earn bragging rights for all times), listed here are ten of the commonest errors to keep away from.
- Not having a sensible finances
When most individuals assume DIY, they assume low cost. Sadly, the mission will solely be pretty much as good as your finances.
If you’re portray your cupboards so as to add worth to your property, you may want to spend so much extra. Alternatively, if this can be a pet mission, you must keep away from the temptation of being too low cost.
Get vary for the paint, primer, polyurethane, and instruments, then set a sensible finances.
- Portray with the doorways on
You’ll be able to all the time inform when somebody painted cupboards with out taking them off the hinges. You’ll be able to see naked wooden or previous paints between the joints, and albeit, the end isn’t nice!
Portray kitchen cupboards just isn’t a mission to be rushed. Sure, it takes a little bit of time, however it makes it simpler to color with out flaws, and your cupboards will dry faster and with out blemishes.
- Not labeling the doorways and drawers
We get it, your cupboards just like the again of your hand, however nonetheless, it could possibly get tough in case you don’t label them. The identical goes for the {hardware}.
Label every door and drawer earlier than you take away them. Place their respective {hardware} in a bag with the identical quantity or letter. Prepare the doorways so as and use one other label to mark their spot.
- Forgetting to organize the floor
There are three principal components of portray kitchen cupboards: getting ready, priming, and portray. Should you don’t nail the primary half, the remainder of it received’t matter since you’ll be again in a number of months with knowledgeable.
The very first thing it’s worthwhile to do is clear the cupboards with TSP. Subsequent, it’s worthwhile to sand the floor. That is significantly necessary if you’re engaged on previous cupboards or in case you’re going to color over polyurethane or another topcoat.
Sanding will guarantee correct adhesion and a easy floor. You additionally must seal any holes with wooden putty, then sand once more.
- Not utilizing primer
As beautiful because it seems to be, paint wasn’t really made for wooden. In consequence, it doesn’t adhere or keep on with the wooden correctly, which is why it’s worthwhile to apply the most effective primer for cupboards earlier than you paint.
The one time you shouldn’t use primer is if you’re utilizing all-in-one paint or a paint + primer. In any other case, your paint could yellow from the wooden tannin, peel, or chip.
- Utilizing the flawed instruments
One of many secrets and techniques to knowledgeable end is discovering the suitable instruments. For instance, to a novice, all paintbrushes are the identical. Nevertheless, it’s worthwhile to select a paintbrush based mostly on the kind of paint you’re making use of.
Oil-based finishes are finest utilized with pure brushes, whereas artificial brushes are finest for water-based paints.
Nevertheless, the most effective applicator for cupboards is an airless paint sprayer. It’d take some getting used to and prices a bit extra (you may rent one from a ironmongery shop), however it provides a smoother, extra even end.
- Ignoring security precautions
Paints, particularly oil-based choices, include loads of chemical substances, a few of that are dangerous, particularly to youngsters and small animals. Two issues it’s worthwhile to be conscious of are Risky Natural Compounds (VOCs) and phthalates, as they’ve been related to an extended checklist of well being issues.
Portray may cause complications, dizziness, pores and skin irritation, and respiratory difficulties. The great factor is the uncomfortable side effects cease as quickly because the paint absolutely cures.
You will need to use protecting gear and hold youngsters and pets away out of your workspace throughout and after software.
- Utilizing the flawed paint
There are such a lot of alternative ways to get this flawed. First is the colour. If you’re portray your kitchen cupboards since you need to promote your property, now just isn’t the time to experiment or specific your creative facet.
White kitchen cupboards or a tuxedo look are most popular when itemizing a property. Nevertheless, if the rework is to your pleasure, then you may go together with daring, fashionable colours.
Subsequent, it’s worthwhile to select the suitable base paint. Oil-based paints are simpler to use and last more, however they’ve excessive VOCs and take ages to dry. Latex paint is really useful for kitchen cupboards as a result of it should dry quicker, and a few don’t have any VOCs.
You additionally want to consider the gloss you need. Once more, this can rely on who the redecorating is for.
- Not giving the paint time to remedy
Nothing will derail your onerous work faster than being in a rush. Water-based paints want about three weeks to remedy, though you may start light-use after three days. Oil-based paints want a month to remedy or no less than seven days earlier than gentle use.
Do not forget that earlier than the paint cures, it may be dangerous to your well being. From an aesthetic viewpoint, the paint will smear or rub off if it hasn’t cured.
- Forgetting the topcoat
Final however positively not least, it’s worthwhile to plan forward. I’m certain you’re going to like the portray course of, however not sufficient that you just’d need to do it each six months.
A high coat will defend your new paint for a very long time. Some, like polyurethane, can hold your kitchen cupboards wanting new for over a decade. Sure, you learn that proper.
For finest outcomes, use a transparent coat that’s water, scratch, and scuff-resistant. That manner, your fantastically painted kitchen cupboards will all the time look that manner… nicely, no less than till the subsequent time you need to rework.
Conclusion
You’ll be able to keep away from loads of these widespread errors if you understand how to color kitchen cupboards like a professional. It takes a little bit of effort and time to color kitchen cupboards, however the outcomes are value it.
