What happens if I don’t sand cabinets before painting?

Don’t Skimp on Sanding: Here’s What Happens When You Don’t Sand Cabinets

Sanding is a critical step in the painting of cabinets. Paint will not adhere properly to the surface without sanding and will eventually peel and chip. Sanding also provides a smooth surface for the paint to adhere to, resulting in a more professional-looking finish.

Sandpaper is classified into two types: coarse and fine. Coarse sandpaper is used to smooth out rough surfaces, whereas fine sandpaper is used to smooth out minor imperfections. Always begin with coarse sandpaper and work your way up to finer grits until the surface is completely smooth when painting cabinets.

Why Do You Need to Sand Cabinets Before Painting?

When it comes to cabinets, most people focus solely on the paint job and completely disregard sanding. This, however, is a huge mistake! If you don’t sand your cabinets before painting them, you’ll get a sloppy paint job that won’t last long.

Before painting your cabinets, sand them to create a smooth surface for the paint to adhere to. It will also help to remove any existing paint or varnish from the cabinets, making painting them much easier. Overall, sanding your cabinets before painting them will yield a much better-finished product.

Tips for a Professional Cabinet Painting Job

1. Begin with a clean canvas. Remove all doors and drawers from the cabinets and wipe down the surfaces with a damp cloth. This will remove any dirt or grease that may have gotten in the way of the painting process.

2. Sand the exposed surfaces. Sand the cabinet surfaces lightly with medium-grit sandpaper. This will result in a smooth surface to which the paint will adhere.

3. Prepare the cabinets by priming them. Using a brush or roller, apply primer to the cabinets. This will aid in the adhesion of the paint to the cabinets and provide a more even finish.

4. Refinish the cabinets. After the primer has dried, use a brush or roller to paint the cabinets in the desired color. Allow the paint to completely dry before reinstalling the doors and drawers.