Get matched with top cabinet refacers and refinishers in Vardaman, MS

Yes, kitchen cabinets need two coats of paint to achieve a smooth, durable, and uniform finish. The first coat provides a base and may reveal imperfections, while the second coat ensures complete coverage and enhances the color's richness. Applying two coats helps improve the paint's durability, making it more resistant to chipping and wear. Sometimes, a third coat may be necessary for darker colors or cabinets made of a particularly porous material.

Preparation is the most crucial and, really, the only secret to a lasting paint job on laminate cabinets. Paint will peel off laminate surfaces that aren't clean and grease-free. Paint will also peel off if there isn't proper etching on the cabinet surfaces. Taking time to deep clean and lightly but thoroughly sand before priming and painting will greatly increase your chances of success and help keep the paint from peeling.

Whether it’s better to stain or paint old cabinets depends on your situation, as each option has pros and cons. Paint offers a smooth, modern look, while stain highlights the natural wood grain for a charming, rustic look. Painting cabinets may cost about 15% more than staining cabinets. While paint tends to be more durable against damage because of its thick coating, stained cabinets hide inevitable dings and scratches better than paint.

First, start with any planned structural changes. That includes demolition and installing new gas lines, piping, or lighting. From there, complete any projects that require a lot of construction to install. Paint your walls while the space is mostly empty, install the cabinets before the countertops to ensure the former doesn’t get damaged, and save all cosmetic changes (like installing new light fixtures or hardware) for the very last moment.