What Can Go Wrong When You DIY Cabinet Refinishing?
It’s tempting to DIY projects like refinishing kitchen cabinets. After all, there are thousands of videos online showing just what needs to be done to refinish the cabinets and ensure they look amazing. However, it’s not always easy to get the results in the videos, and there is a lot that can go wrong. Some of the things that can happen when homeowners try to DIY cabinet refinishing include the following.
Surface Prep Isn’t Done Right
Tons of videos propose ways to refinish the cabinets without having to sand or do any prep. Unfortunately, the results won’t last long, and that’s something most videos won’t show. A couple of years down the road, the paint may start to peel off, leaving the cabinets looking worse. Professionals will make sure the surface prep is done right for every cabinet.
Over-Sanding or Uneven Sanding
Sanding too much or uneven sanding can significantly impact the way the cabinets look when they’re done. With cabinets, sanding does need to be done carefully, especially if there is a veneer. The veneer is typically incredibly thin, so it’s all too easy to sand through it to the base wood, which won’t be as pretty. Professionals know how to sand properly to avoid going through the veneer.
Failure to Use PPE
Personal protective equipment is easy to forget about for those who don’t do DIY projects often. Others may feel they don’t really need the PPE because they don’t do many projects. However, failing to use PPE can lead to illnesses or injuries, along with huge medical bills to recover. Professionals have the PPE needed for the job and know what to use or what to avoid to make sure everyone stays safe.
Drips, Streaks, or Brush Marks on Cabinets
Dripping, streaks, and brush strokes are incredibly common for DIY cabinet refinishing projects. It takes skill to be able to do the job without any errors, something most homeowners don’t have because they haven’t painted cabinets before. Professionals have the experience and skills needed to make sure the job looks amazing and that there aren’t any blemishes when the work is done.
Not Removing Doors and Hardware
It’s easy to tell when a job was DIY because the paint was added without removing the doors or hardware. Paint gets places it shouldn’t, and the hardware can seem to be glued to the door. Professionals always remove the doors and hardware to make sure the project looks amazing when it’s done.
Underestimating What it Takes
The prep work, learning how to paint or stain properly, letting everything dry, and more are all a lot of work and take far more time than homeowners may realize until they’re already halfway through the project. Plus, there’s always going to be extra trips to the hardware store to get supplies that were forgotten. Instead, it’s a good idea to let a professional handle the job to make sure it’s done fast.
With so much that can go wrong, it’s better to just call in the pros from the start. They know how to make sure the job turns out perfectly and will make your vision a reality. Let them handle the cabinet refinishing in Grand Rapids, so you can just relax and enjoy the new look of your kitchen.