Repainting your pre-painted cabinet doors can be an amazing way to give your space a new lease on life and transform your kitchen from average to amazing. This is generally a simple task, but veneer kitchen cupboard doors can be a little more of a challenge.
Veneer is a material that tends to peel and become easily damaged, and this can leave your cabinets looking tired and cheap, even after a recent paint job.
Fortunately for you, we have some tips and tricks to help you paint veneer kitchen cupboard doors without peeling, and ensure that your new cabinets look and feel their very best for years to come!
Why Are Veneer Doors Difficult to Paint?
Veneer is essentially a thin layer of wood that is glued onto another surface–usually particle board or MDF–which tends to be very fragile.
When you paint a veneer door, the moisture in the paint can cause the veneer to expand and contract, which can lead to peeling. This is why it is important to take your time when painting these doors, and ensure that you use the right techniques and products. For example, learning how to paint cabinet doors with sprayer tools can cut down the time it takes, and improve the quality of the paint job.
How to Paint Your Veneer Doors
Here’s how to update kitchen cabinets in no time:
Prep and Prime
The secret to success when it comes to painting vinyl is excellent preparation, and this starts with a clean, smooth surface. First, ensure that the surface of the cupboard doors is clean and dry. Use a damp cloth and hot, soapy water to remove any dust or dirt, and then use an oil-based primer to seal the surface and protect it from moisture.
It is particularly important to prime when painting veneered doors, as you want to give yourself the best possible base surface to reduce the risk of peeling or chipping.
You can either choose to remove the cabinets at this point (this may allow you to paint them more easily) or you can leave them in place while you scrub, and then use a brush to carefully apply the primer. Either way, make sure the cupboard is totally dry before the next step.
Choose Your Paint Wisely
Next, you need to choose the perfect paint, and this means doing your homework and opting for a paint that is designed for veneered surfaces. It may require a slightly higher initial investment but this, combined with good primer, will be the secret to helping your paint stick.
Paint the Front of Your Cupboards
Once you have everything ready to go, the next step is to get the front of your cupboards painted. Remove the handles and then, using your brush, stroke from left to right with even strokes. Once the front is done, leave it to dry and move onto the next cabinet.
Remove the Doors and Paint the Backs, Sides, and Frames
Once the front of your cabinets are totally dry, the next step is to remove the doors and paint the remainder of the surface. Start by painting the backs of the doors, and then the frames of the cabinets while these are drying. Finish by painting the edges of the cabinets, and any touch-ups that are necessary.
Also, make sure you have some kind of labeling system to allow you to match the doors back up with their cabinets when you are done.
Rehang Your Doors
Wait until everything is dry, and then rehang your doors and enjoy your new kitchen.
The Takeaway
Veneer doors can be a little trickier to paint, but with a little patience and good technique, you will be able to transform your kitchen and create your perfect look.
Would you rather go the pre-painted cabinet route? 27estore has you covered with a selection of high-quality, pre-painted cabinets ready to suit any room’s aesthetic!
