Why Are My Kitchen Cabinets Peeling? (And How to Fix Them)

What Causes Kitchen Cabinet Paint to Peel?

There are a few key culprits that can cause the finish on your kitchen cabinets to deteriorate and peel over time:

• Exposure to moisture - Excess humidity, steam from cooking, and leaks can cause the wood underneath the paint to swell and the paint to bubble and peel.
• Heat from appliances - The heat emitted from ovens, dishwashers, and other appliances can dry out and crack the paint over time.
• General wear and tear - Day-to-day use takes its toll. Areas like cabinet doors and drawers see a lot of handling.
• Inferior prep work - If cabinets were not properly cleaned, sanded, and primed before painting, the paint may not properly adhere.
• Cheap paint - Low-quality paints are more prone to chipping and peeling, sometimes in as little as a couple years.

How to Touch Up Peeling Kitchen Cabinets

If your kitchen cabinet paint peel is minimal, you may be able to get by with a simple touch up:

1. Lightly sand peeled areas to feather edges and roughen the surface.
2. Clean sanded areas to remove residue.
3. Spot prime any exposed wood.
4. Apply touch up paint in thin coats, allowing proper dry time between coats.

However, if the peeling is more extensive, you'll need to take more intensive action to fix it.

How to Completely Refinish Peeling Kitchen Cabinets

If large portions of your cabinet paint are cracking, chipping or peeling, a touch up is not going to cut it. You'll need to thoroughly refinish the cabinets. This involves removing all of the old failing paint, properly preparing the cabinets, and applying new paint or stain.

Refinishing kitchen cabinets is a time-consuming, multi-step process. Done right, it can make your kitchen look brand new - but it's also easy to make mistakes that leave your cabinets looking worse than when you started.

Many homeowners opt to have their peeling kitchen cabinets professionally refinished to ensure the job is done right.

Hiring a professional cabinet refinishing company takes the hard work out of renovating your kitchen. An experienced refinisher will:

• Fully remove failing paint and stain with chemical strippers or sanders. This avoids uneven spots or traces of old color peeking through the new finish.
  
• Properly prep, clean, patch, and sand cabinets for the new finish to maximally adhere.
  
• Skillfully apply your choice of durable paints or stains in the custom color of your choosing.
  
• Often refinish cabinets on-site, avoiding the hassle and expense of removal and reinstallation.

Refinishing your existing cabinets by a professional is often much cheaper than full cabinet replacement. And in as little as a few days, you can have kitchen cabinets that look brand new and are ready to enjoy for years to come.

At Oceanside Painting & Refinishing, cabinet refinishing is our specialty. We serve home and business owners throughout coastal New Jersey. Our expert team can restore and completely transform your worn or damaged kitchen cabinets.

Contact us today to learn more about our kitchen cabinet refinishing services and get your own free estimate.