Touching Up Your Chipped Kitchen Cabinetry

Chipped kitchen cabinetry is common but is not too difficult to repair if you follow the right steps. Finding the correct color match allows you to fix your cabinets perfectly. The best part is that you can make them look brand new again with just a few touch-ups. Continue reading to learn how to touch up kitchen cabinets with paint chips.

Look For The Correct Composition & Color

This is the first step to fixing your kitchen cabinets. Knowing the exact color can help save a lot of time and extra effort. This will probably be easy to guess if you painted your cabinets on your own or have a sound idea of the paint used. However, if your cabinets were pre-made, you can contact the manufacturer to get a color sample so you can find the exact paint at a supply shop.

If your house was previously owned by someone else, you could also contact the older residents to find out the color of your kitchen cabinetry. If all else fails, take a cabinet door to the paint shop or carpenter to determine the closest material composition and paint color.

Getting the correct match may take extra effort, but once this is done, the next few steps will be a breeze. 

Pick The Right Sheen

Once you have the correct color, the next step is to select the correct sheen. Cabinet paint is often high-gloss or semi-gloss finish, as these prevent water damage and stains. Often, it is easy to guess the sheen by simply eyeing your cabinet paint. If it is very shiny, it is likely a high-gloss finish, but if it is moderately shiny, it is a semi-gloss finish.

However, if the paint has only a light sheen, it is probably a satin finish paint. If your cabinets do not shine, then they may be a matte finish. Matte paint is often the least likely choice as cabinet paint, so it is quite unlikely that you will come across it.

Materials Needed For Chipped Cabinet Repair

• Towel
• Primer
• Paint
• 240-320 grit sandpaper
• Dish soap and water solution to use as detergent
• Wood filler
• Paintbrush
• Screwdriver

Steps To Prep Up Your Cabinets Before Painting 

1. Unscrew cabinet handles/knobs.
   
2. Clean the chipped regions with a soapy solution (mix equal parts water and dish soap). Use a towel to dry the surface once all the grease and dirt have been removed.
   
3. Use 240-320 grit sandpaper to smooth out the chipped regions gently.
   
4. If the chipped area is deep, use a wood filler after drilling 2 to 3 half-inch holes. Holes will help contain the wood filler. Allow the wood filler to dry completely.
   
5. Sand and wipe the area with detergent again to achieve a smooth and clean surface.

Steps For Painting Chipped Cabinets

1. Before you begin with the painting process, it is necessary to ensure whether your paint requires a primer. Chalk paint and similar alternatives do not require a primer, but latex paints do, so read the painting instructions before you begin.
   
2. Use a small paintbrush to apply a light coat of primer and allow it to dry for 5 to 6 hours. Skip this step and directly apply a light layer of paint if the primer is not required.
   
3. Apply a second coat of paint once the first coat is completely dry. Sometimes, a second coat may not be necessary if the first layer leads to the required blending needed.
   
4. Repeat with paint layers on the chipped areas until the cabinets are one solid color.
   
5. Ensure you make use of primer based on the paint type. Please do not skip the primer, especially when working with larger areas, as it is necessary for paint protection.

Conclusion

Repairing cabinets with paint chips is very simple once you identify the right paint color. You can easily DIY the repairs without hiring a professional painter. For more information on how to take care of your cabinets, contact Legacy Kitchens in Calgary.