House painting is a daunting task, especially if you’ve never tackled it before. Whether it’s your interior painting or exterior painting projects, a fresh coat is one of the easiest ways to give your house a facelift. However, cabinet painters will tell you that handling your hardware and primers can easily get messy. You’ll want to sidestep some common cabinet painting mistakes in order to avoid chipped paint and perpetually dirty-looking cabinets down the line. Here are some of the most important mistakes to avoid, from cabinet painter pros.

Remove the Doors

You won’t’ want to attempt to brush on a new coat of paint without going through the process of removing each and every cabinet door ahead of time. This is a bit time consuming and can be difficult to maneuver, specifically in small kitchens, but it’s essential. This process will prevent drips, uneven coverage, and missed spots. Cabinet painters will tell you this is the most important step to not get lazy on.

Cabinet Painter Prep Work

Repainting kitchen cabinets may seem like a fit-for-DIY job, but it’s a tricky, time-consuming project, and if not done right, could look worse in just a few months. This is true for all house painting projects. Proper prep work will ensure the finished product is beautiful and will last a long time.

Not Using Primer

Primer is a cabinet painters best friend. Whether you’re starting off with wood cabinets or dark paint, primer will create a barrier so your chosen paint color can shine. If the surface you’re starting with is smooth and shiny, primer can also create some traction so the paint will stick. Be sure to use the right type of primer for the cabinets you’re painting.