3 More Common Mistakes When Painting Kitchen Cabinets in Your Flip

Painting the kitchen cabinets in your flip house yourself may help save money, but if they’re not painted properly a poor result can mean spending time on fixes—and time is money.

Beware of these three missteps before taking on this project.

Not Labelling the Doors and Hardware 

No matter how big or small your kitchen, this step can really help. You see, after you’ve removed the cabinet doors and hardware it can be hard to figure out what goes back together, and where.

So, to make it easier to reattach the doors, consider numbering each one as you remove it. Put the hardware for each door into a small bag and label each bag with the number that corresponds with the cabinet door.

Applying One Thick Layer of Paint

The finish on your kitchen cabinets needs to be able to stand up to wet, messy hands, splashes, and heat. Although you want to give the cabinets a durable finish that can take a beating, applying one thick coat of paint isn’t the best way to do it, since it can chip off. Instead, take time to build up the paint by applying many thin coats and waiting the recommended time for drying between each coat.

To increase the durability of your paint job it’s very important to consider the type of finish you use. You want a finish that will be easy for your potential homebuyer to wipe clean without blemishing the surface. So avoid matte finishes, which can stain after wiping. Opt for a semi-gloss or a satin finish—each can be wiped with force without tarnishing the paint.

Not Letting the Cabinets Dry Properly 

Your cabinets may feel dry enough to handle a few hours after painting them, but it can really take a few days for them to cure to a hard-wearing surface. Before that time the cabinets are more likely to chip and mark.

So it’s wise to wait at least 48 hours before you reattach the hardware and doors, and for the week following be careful not to scrape or slam the doors.