Cabinet Refinishing Mistakes to Avoid in Roseville Homes

Cabinet refinishing is one of the most transformative and cost-effective home improvement projects for Roseville homeowners. A well-executed cabinet refinishing project can completely revitalize your kitchen or bathroom at a fraction of the cost of replacement. However, it's also a project where mistakes can be costly, time-consuming, and visually disappointing.
At Precision Finish, we've refinished hundreds of cabinets throughout Roseville and have seen firsthand the common mistakes that can derail these projects. In this guide, we'll share the most frequent cabinet refinishing pitfalls and how to avoid them, whether you're tackling the project yourself or hiring a professional.
Preparation Mistakes
The foundation of any successful cabinet refinishing project is thorough preparation. Unfortunately, this is also where many of the most critical mistakes occur:
Mistake #1: Inadequate Surface Cleaning
Kitchen cabinets accumulate years of grease, food particles, and cleaning product residue that can prevent proper adhesion of new finishes.
The Problem:
Even invisible layers of grease can cause new paint or stain to bubble, peel, or fail to adhere properly. Many homeowners underestimate how thoroughly cabinets need to be cleaned before refinishing.
The Solution:
Use a strong degreasing cleaner specifically designed for kitchen surfaces. TSP (trisodium phosphate) or TSP substitutes are effective for cutting through kitchen grease. After cleaning, rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove any residue from the cleaner itself.
Mistake #2: Skipping or Rushing Sanding
Proper sanding creates the foundation for a smooth, professional-looking finish and ensures good adhesion of new paint or stain.
The Problem:
Many DIYers either skip sanding entirely or don't sand thoroughly enough, especially in detailed areas. This leads to poor paint adhesion and a rough, unprofessional finish.
The Solution:
Sand all surfaces that will be refinished, starting with a medium-grit sandpaper (120-150) and finishing with a finer grit (180-220). Pay special attention to detailed areas and edges.
Pro Tip: Labeling System
Before removing cabinet doors and hardware, create a simple numbering system with painter's tape to mark each door and its corresponding location. Take photos of your labeling system as backup. This prevents confusion during reinstallation and ensures doors go back in their original locations, where they fit best.
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