What’s the one thing that can transform your kitchen without gutting your budget—or your entire home? Freshly painted cabinets. From bubbling finishes to chipping paint, cutting corners can cost more in the long run.
That’s where we come in. At Right Choice Painting, we offer one of the most trusted cabinet refinishing services in Phoenix. We know how to work with everything from humidity-prone kitchens to tough materials like MDF and oak. In this blog, we’re sharing a few cabinet painting tips that most professionals keep to themselves—tips that could make or break your next renovation.
Here’s what we’ll cover: proper prep work, smart paint selection, and finish techniques that last.
1. Surface Prep Isn’t Optional
Professionals never skip prep—and neither should you. Most DIYers underestimate how much grease and grime cabinets collect, especially in the kitchen.
Here’s what we always do before painting:
- Remove all hardware and doors
- Degrease thoroughly with a TSP-based cleaner
- Sand every surface for paint adhesion
- Fill in dents or grain patterns (especially on oak)
- Use painter’s tape to protect walls and hinges
Skipping any of these steps can lead to uneven coverage or peeling down the road.
2. Not All Paints Are Created Equal
Most paint brands sell products labeled “cabinet paint,” but pros don’t just pick based on the label. The secret? We choose paint based on surface type and environment.
When choosing cabinet paint, we look for:
- Hard finishes like acrylic-alkyd hybrids for durability
- Paints with higher resistance to humidity and temperature swings
- Primers that bond to slick materials like laminate or thermofoil
If your cabinets are MDF or oak, this choice becomes even more important. Without the right primer and paint pairing, you’ll likely see swelling, cracking, or color bleed-through within months.
3. The Finish Makes All the Difference
A common mistake is brushing on a thick coat and calling it a day. In reality, we often use sprayers to achieve a smoother, more even finish.
Pro tips for finishing:
- Apply multiple thin coats, not one heavy layer
- Let each coat dry fully before applying the next
- Use a high-quality topcoat to seal and protect—especially in kitchens where steam and grease are constant
This step alone can double the lifespan of your cabinet painting results.
Ready for a Kitchen You’ll Love for Years?
Are you confident your DIY cabinet painting job will last? If not, it might be time to let professionals handle it. At Right Choice Painting, we offer one of the best cabinet refinishing services in Phoenix. Our cabinet painters bring years of experience, top-tier materials, and results that truly hold up against everyday wear, tear, and moisture. Whether you’re updating MDF, oak, or anything in between, we’ll make sure your kitchen cabinet refinishing project looks sharp and stays that way.
Contact Right Choice Painting today to schedule a consultation—we’ll help you avoid costly mistakes and get the kitchen transformation you’ve been hoping for.
