Preparing for Perfection: Challenges and Solutions for Painting Older Kitchen Cabinets

Whether you have recently purchased an older home or are ready to give your current home some much-needed love, painting older kitchen cabinets is an attractive and cost-effective option. But, as appealing as this may sound, the process comes with its own set of challenges.

Older kitchen cabinets are susceptible to cracking and other damages that cannot be simply “painted over”. Imperfections can be found on the exterior, around the frame, throughout the interior shelving, and even among the hardware. 

In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the unique obstacles you might face when painting older kitchen cabinets and offer tried-and-true solutions to ensure your cabinets look flawless.

Unique Challenges and Solutions for Painting Older Kitchen Cabinets

Like most painting projects, kitchen cabinet painting requires extensive preparation before any work can be done. Not only do you need to choose the appropriate materials and equipment but you also need to prepare the cabinets beforehand. This includes cleaning and sanding the wood before applying a coat of primer and paint. 

Below are some of the most common challenges of painting older kitchen cabinets.

Cabinet Material and Old Constructions

Older kitchen cabinets can be made from various materials, including solid wood, laminate, and veneer. While maple, cherry, and hickory are popular wood species used for modern cabinetry, older homes often had pine, oak, and birch cabinets installed. 

Each material has different preparation requirements for painting. Understanding what you’re working with is crucial for a successful outcome.

Solid wood cabinets are robust and easier to sand and repaint. Look for wood grain patterns to identify solid wood. Since laminate cabinets are designed to resist cracking, dents, and scratches,  they tend to have a smooth, glossy appearance. Special primers are needed to ensure the paint adheres correctly. Veneer wood cabinets, on the other hand, can become discoloured over time because they are not waterproof or resistant to impact. 

Lead Lurking in the Past

Homes built before 1990 may contain lead-based paint as it was commonly used before Canadian law prohibited the sale of lead paint. Lead paint poses severe health risks and should be handled with extreme caution.

Professional cabinet painters in Caledon and the surrounding areas understand the importance of having old paint tested and removed safely using specialized equipment. Hiring professionals ensures that your home remains safe during the process. Lead paint testing can also be performed by a certified lead abatement professional who will send paint samples to a lab for testing.

Hardware Removal and Functionality

When it comes to kitchen cabinet door painting in Milton, the hardware must be removed with precision. Older cabinet hardware can be tricky to remove and reinstall and they may be susceptible to cracking or denting. 

Screws and fasteners may also be brittle or striped due to years of use. Make sure to clean the hardware to remove rust, stains, and food particles using a specialized metal cleaning solution. Any broken pieces should be replaced. Modern soft-close hinges and drawer slides can be installed to improve the functionality of your older cabinets. 

Surface Imperfections

One of the challenges of painting older kitchen cabinets is discovering cracks, indentations, peeling paint, or a rough surface. These imperfections can affect the final finish if not addressed properly.

Older cabinets often have warping or other damage due to wear and tear, improper care, lack of maintenance, and/or rough usage (slamming and yanking the doors). Most of these flaws can be fixed with sanding or wood filler. If the cabinets have extensive damage, they may need to be replaced to ensure a smooth finish. 

Booth7’s Professional Cabinet Painting Process for Older Cabinets

From lead abatement to removing delicate hardware, our team takes the necessary precautions to ensure your cabinet painting project meets your expectations.

• Cleaning: One of the first steps in painting older cabinets is to clean them thoroughly. Over the years, dirt, grease, and grime accumulate and can prevent paint from adhering properly. At Booth7, we use a strong degreaser and carefully scrub all surfaces to remove any contaminants without compromising the quality of the wood.
• Sanding: Sanding allows the paint to adhere to the wood while removing any flaws or scratches. The grit of the sandpaper we use depends on the shape of the cabinet and the cabinet material. A finer grit of 120 or 150 is used on wood cabinets in good shape, while 180-grit sandpaper is used on laminate to gently avoid damaging the surface.
• Filling and Repairing: As part of our kitchen cabinet painting solutions, we address minor dents, cracks, and uneven surfaces on cabinets, doors, and shelving. Imperfections can occur over time with regular usage and weathering. Wood filler is used and repairs are done before primer and paint are applied.
• Dealing with Peeling Paint: Using specialized equipment, we carefully remove old or peeling paint without damaging the cabinetry. Regardless of if the existing cabinets have layers of different types of paint on them, we can refurbish the cabinets for a premium finish. Applying a primer designed for problem areas can also help the new paint adhere better.
• Painting and Finishing: There are many complex steps involved in our professional cabinet painting. We use high-quality primers and paints to protect the integrity of the cabinets and extend their lifespan. We use only water-based, low-VOC lacquer and solvents that are very consumer and household-friendly.

Need Professional Help? Contact Booth7 for Professional Cabinet Painting Services

Leave professional cabinet painting in Mono, Peel Region, and Toronto to the experts at Booth7! We provide free in-home consultations to develop affordable customized plans for your kitchen cabinets. 

Our team of trained professionals provides high-quality kitchen cabinet painting and refinishing services backed by our two-year customer satisfaction guarantee. Whether you are buying, selling, or wanting to upgrade your current home or condo, we are available to discuss your needs and accommodate your schedule seven days a week. 

To get started on your home renovation or painting project, call Booth7 today! Fill out our online form or contact us at info@booth7.com.