How To Keep Painted Cabinets From Chipping?[3 Simple Methods]

It’s sad! Every home has at minimum one unit of cabinets with chipped paint on them. No worries, it is a typical occurrence in every house. 

That said, people have found several ways to protect themselves against regular chipping. And, they’ve also discovered ways to prolong the paint’s life.

Are you concerned about how to keep painted cabinets from chipping?

Well, all you need are the right products and methods. To begin with, there are some specific instructions that must be followed before you start painting. In order to attain this, you must first prepare the surface area on which your painted cabinets will be implemented to prevent chipping.

There’s more! We’ve prepared this article after compiling a lot of factors and information together. So, read along to know how to paint your cabinets like an expert and transform your place.

3 Simple Methods to Prevent Painted Cabinets from Chipping

We understand how frustrating it would be when you experience chipped painted cabinets. So, the following methods below can help you to prevent the chipping of your painted cabinets.

Method #1: Settle for Right Application: Oil-based Coatings or Latex Paint?

Before beginning with the proceedings, let’s clear off this cold war between oil-based coatings and latex paints. Let’s look at them-

Latex paints are easier to use since they dry fast. Also, it can be washed away with water. But, some people still chose oil-based topcoats because they claim to be more durable and have a smooth finishing compared to water-based paints.

So, the choice of application is yours as both of them have their set of benefits.

Method #2: Smoothen the Finish with Brush Paint or Spray Paint

Although sprayed-on coatings are the smoothest, they need much experience. In addition, there is a need for equipment and other types of preparation. It eats up some of your money. Plus, it is a  time-consuming method. 

That said, it’s worth the effort. On the other hand, brush paint is a more traditional way and it gives a smooth finishing. Also, it requires much more preparation than spray painting. What’s important is that both of these applications need time, preparation, and expertise. 

So, you can go for whichever process you want.

Method #3: Surface Preparation

Above all, this is the most crucial and essential part of all methods. Because without following this method, your cabinets will keep chipping no matter how good quality products you use.

Step 1: Check The Surface Area

Make sure the surface area is in decent form. The first step is to thoroughly clean the work area of any dust or oil.

Step 2: Use Sanders to Smoothen the Area

This is a must-step. You have to use a sander machine to get a smoothen area. But we’ll suggest you take professional help on this. Here, the Sander machine removes the extra part from the wood to make it smooth. To proceed, you must ensure that the surface area is free of imperfections. 

Regardless of the quality of your paint or primer, it will not last long if you do not follow this step. Make sure you don’t rush through this process since it takes time.

Step 3: Must Use a Primer

If you want to completely cover whatever is underneath the paint, you must use a primer. It’ll work as a foundation coat to guarantee paint stability and avoid early peeling. 

But a primer is not needed for painting previously painted kitchen cabinets. It is essential when altering the color of the cabinets from a darker to a lighter shade. However, the surface material decides the primer choice.

Step 4: Give Proper Time to Settle the Paint

I understand your eagerness, but time is required for a chip-free, smooth finish. 

You must keep in mind that you can’t rush from one step to another. After all that work, you’ll want to transform your cabinets. 

Step 5: Two Coats Good Quality Paint is Needed

If you use a good quality primer, one coat of primers should be enough. 

However, I would consider applying one additional coat of primer after the first coat has dried before proceeding to be on the safe side.

Step 6: Top Coat for a Longer Lasting Paint

Well, for a longer-lasting paint, you have to use a clear protective top coat for painted cabinets. Plus, the paint surrounding cabinet doors and grips is particularly prone to flaking due to the daily touch of fingertips and grips.

Isn’t it just amazing to run into a transparent protective coating instead of real paint? Sure! Don’t forget to apply a durable topcoat before repainting your cabinets.

Reasons For Chipping in Painted Kitchen

Are you facing the same issue as everyone and questioning yourself-  “Why my kitchen cabinets are peeling?” or are you wondering “Why are your new kitchen cabinets chipping?

Some basic issues can be the cause of what you are facing in your chipped painted cabinets. However, you need to know the reasons and work on them to overcome the situation.

Before a layer of paint, the surface must be carefully cleaned and prepared. If the paint is put on a rough or inappropriate surface, it will crack and peel quickly.

When the paint does not stick adequately to the surface, it peels off. The use of a quality primer is helpful, but it cannot take the place of thorough surface preparation. 

To get the best results, you should remove the old paint and sand your cabinets before applying the primer.

You can not rush in any steps because this process requires care and patience. 

If you rush into any step, you would need to start from the beginning after a few days or you’ll have to deal with frequent peeling and cracking.

The Right Tools You Need to Remove Chipping Professionally

The following tools will guide you to remove chipping. It’ll facilitate the entire process-

Scrape the paint area’s rough edges using a paint scraper. Be careful with the scraper’s sharp edges, which might damage the wood.

When working on a smaller area, a paint knife may be a useful DIY tool for restoration.

The regular orbital sander is quick and effective in removing cross-grain cracks from connectors and cabinet doors.

A heat gun may also be used to remove the old painting, lacquer, and other coatings.

When it comes to painting removal, they are the best. To remove the paint, a metal scraper is all that is required since the paint bubbles up when heated.

Some Safety Precautions While Removing Chipping

A heat gun or sander machine can be dangerous. Heat guns are less risky than open flames. However, objects that are very flammable might still catch fire while using this tool.

Sanding particles may cause fires and explosions. A sufficient ventilation system is necessary. So, avoid putting too much force on a sander.

Also, both of these need a power supply which can lead to an electric shock as well. Hence we’ll advise you to wear protective gear and take extra care when using these tools. 

FAQs

Verdict

To wrap up, how to keep painted cabinets from chipping? I hope you got all your answers. But, as a friendly reminder, chipping is an issue that affects every household on a regular basis. 

We do, however, make an effort to keep our cabinets from chipping in order to maintain a pleasing appearance in our home. That is why it is important for us to be aware of the procedures to take in order to protect our painted cabinets from peeling.

Until the next time, take care.