A Big Mistake You're Likely Making When Painting Cabinet Doors

There's nothing quite like the excitement you get when you see your furniture transform into something fresh and vibrant, especially if you've done your best to find cheap kitchen cabinets that might need a little upgrade. Painting something after restoring and putting all the pieces together is the perfect cherry on top of a DIY project. But there's one mistake that can throw off the entire process: painting the front of your cabinet doors first.

Starting on the front might seem like the obvious choice. It is what everyone notices right away, after all. But jumping straight to the front can cause headaches like smudges or even accidental scratches that could put all your careful work to waste. So it is best to start with the back of the cabinet doors instead of risking those issues. Doing this offers a chance to perfect your technique and avoid unnecessary touch-ups later. Working from the interior to the exterior of your cabinet doors ensures a smoother and more professional-looking finish in the end.

When you paint the back first, you can handle the door without worrying about accidentally hitting the freshly painted front. Any minor imperfections won't be as noticeable since the back is less visible. You'll need to allow the back to dry completely before setting to work on the front, so be sure to set aside plenty of time for the project.

Once the back is set, you can safely flip the doors to paint the front. Doing this reduces the risk of smudges or damage to the front either during the painting process or when the doors are installed. Once done, you can then work on the front with confidence that the side everyone will see is protected and ready for a flawless finish.

Painting the back first allows you to master all the important tips and techniques. Once you've cleaned both sides of the doors and gently sanded to create a surface the paint will stick to be sure to apply the paint in thin and even layers with a brush or foam roller while allowing each coat to dry completely before adding the next. This will keep your paint looking bright and fresh and help you to avoid streaks. You should also allow the paint on both sides to cure for 48 hours before reattaching the doors so the finish stays intact over time. Once the paint is dry, you're ready to add a stunning trim to really take your cabinet door to the next level.