After going through the whole process of painting, it is advisable to apply a clear coat as the final touch on the surfaces being painted. Spare at least one day to paint a clear top coat as this will make the cabinet surfaces both strong and long-lasting.
If you have newly painted cabinets that are chipping already, it's likely because they were painted over without sanding and priming or they were painted in humid environments. If you have a previous coat underneath, that may begin to show. The quickest areas to show paint chips are usually the 90° sharp edges.
The paint didn't fully cure.
Make sure you've read, understood, and followed the recommendations on the paint you're using when working on a DIY project. After you're done, give it the full cure time before placing furniture, decorations, and other items directly against the painted surface.
With changes in humidity, there is expansion and contraction in your cabinet. The effect of that expansion and contraction are cracks, which show up in the joints, where the pieces of wood come together. These cracks are more likely to be seen (or noticed) on a painted cabinet, than a cabinet with a wood finish.
If you want to protect your cabinets and extend their lifespan, sealing them is recommended. However, if you prefer the look and feel of unsealed cabinets, it's not necessary.
Giving your kitchen cabinets time to cure
"Thinner layers of paint are better than thick layers (less is more) and make sure you let the paint dry fully between coats. Paint needs to cure for quite some time, often up to 28 days."
Wet wood causes paint to peel. The process goes like this: Moisture from high humidity or rain works its way into the wood and causes the fibers to swell. The expanding fibers stretch the paint film until it cracks. Once the film is cracked, more water from rain, dew and snow (and lawn sprinklers!)
Before you paint, be sure to use a high-quality paint primer, like True Value EasyCare Ultra Premium Exterior Primer/Sealer. This seals porous surface material so your topcoat won't soak in and dry unevenly. Priming also helps prevent peeling, rusting and bleed-through (especially on wood and concrete).
Your kitchen cabinets might peel for many reasons, including water damage, a poor paint job or high humidity.
Painting over dirty walls, excess moisture, improper prep, and using latex paint on top of oil paint can all affect the paint's adhesion and cause it to eventually begin flaking off. To solve the problem, you'll need to remove the peeling areas and start over with fresh coats of primer and paint.
Moisture and Water
However, there may be other issues with the premises such as excess humidity or a leaky roof. Collectively, you can be assured that water is the number one cause of peeling paint issues. Even if water damage cannot be seen, moisture could still be wreaking havoc.
Although properly painted cabinets will last 8-10 years, some factors may affect the longevity, requiring them to be repainted only 3-4 years after the initial painting.
There are many types of paint to choose from, but the best paint for kitchen cabinets is semi-gloss, gloss or satin. Matte is not practical in kitchens and baths where you will need durable paint you can easily clean.
Chalk paints have become an increasingly popular choice for kitchen and bathroom cabinets thanks to their superior coverage, low VOCs, and durability. Many people view chalk paint as one of the best paints for cabinets, as it requires little to no prep work before you can get started.
Yes, clear coats can help prevent paint from chipping and peeling. You can apply polyurethane, polycrylic, and lacquer to your paint projects. These clear sealants will shield the paint from external damage from water, scratches, and other wear and tear.
After comparing several pieces over time, we found that the best furniture paint is Sherwin Williams Pro Classic. We have painted so many pieces of wood furniture with this paint, and not only does it provide a flawless finish, but it doesn't chip.
You don't need to use primer on previously painted surfaces that are in good condition. This goes for both interior and exterior surfaces that are not peeling or chipping. Likewise, most modern quality exterior and interior paints are self-priming.
Chipped painted can be fixed by filling in the chip with wood putty or acrylic latex filler, sanding it smooth, then painting it.
Solvent-based polyurethanes are more effective at sealing wood because they produce a stronger film. This product is a good choice when working with oil-based paints.
Zinsser Peel Stop, a flexible binding primer designed for problem interior / exterior painted surfaces that exhibit chalking, alligatoring, cracking, flaking, and peeling. Penetrates and binds chalky residues, seals cracked or crazed surfaces providing a sound surface for primer and paint.
Slapping on too many coats of primer or paint during cabinet refinishing can hinder adherence, interfere with proper drying, and result in strange lines and patterns on the finished surface.
Paint the cabinet boxes
If you're using roughly the same shade as the existing color, two coats ought to do the job. You might even get away with one. Painting over a dark finish with a light color is tougher and could require three coats. Break out a new brush for each coat.
Depending on what kind of primer you're using and the state of the cabinets, you will need 1-2 coats of primer. For many cabinets, one coat is plenty, but if you're uncertain, a second coat won't hurt as long as it's not applied too thick. When it comes to the actual paint, you will need at least two coats.
Painting over existing paint can make the new cabinet doors too thick, which can cause issues with closing and opening. And if you don't clean the original cabinets, the oils can botch the new paint job. That mean's you'll need to remove all hardware, take cabinet doors off of their hinges, sand, prime, and then paint.