How NOT to Paint Kitchen Cabinets

Years ago, I was so excited to transform my outdated kitchen cabinets that I jumped into painting them without fully understanding the process. Let’s just say it didn’t go as planned! I made a few key mistakes—like misreading the directions on the TSP Cleaner bottle—and ended up with cabinets that looked more like they belonged in a dilapidated shed than a refreshed kitchen.

If you’re considering painting your kitchen cabinets, you don’t have to learn the hard way like I did. Check out my detailed guide on how to paint kitchen cabinets step-by-step to do it the right way and achieve a beautiful, durable finish. But first, let me walk you through what not to do!

The Chippy Cabinet Disaster

There are a few how to paint kitchen cabinet variations such as using more than one coat of primer or sanding between each coat of paint. Some people use tack cloths to remove sanding dust while other use a vacuum or wet paper towels. A few brave souls skip sanding all together and just use a deglosser. But everyone – EVERYONE – insists upon cleaning the cabinets to remove cooking grease and splatters. And lots of those people say to use TSP.

The TSP directions say “Spray on and wipe clean with a cloth soaked in clean water.” Yeah. Unfortunately I read it as “spray on and wipe clean with a cloth.”

So what happens when you don’t rinse off TSP properly? Let me show you. Instead of a smooth, beautiful finish, I ended up with paint that chipped off the corners and edges like old furniture left out in the rain.

One coat of primer + one coat of enamel paint on top of TSP = no adhesion! The photo above is NOT sanded. That is what applying paint on top of TSP not washed off looks like! On the other hand, I did discover a new way to get a really chippy painted look!

I suppose instead of “How NOT to Paint Kitchen Cabinets” this post could be titled “For the Love of Pete, Wash Off ALL the TSP!”

But I think you get the picture. If you don’t wash off all the TSP, your paint job is going to resemble a piece of furniture found in a dilapidated shed after 50 years! Not cool. Unless you’re going for that look in your kitchen. Which was definitely not what we were going for!

Here’s What NOT to Do When Painting Kitchen Cabinets

Here are a few small but critical details that can make or break your paint job. Here’s how I messed it up:

1. Skipping Proper Cleaning Instructions
   • I used TSP Cleaner, but I didn’t rinse it off thoroughly with clean water as the directions specified. This left residue on the cabinet surface, which prevented the primer and paint from adhering properly.
2. Using Paint with a Long Cure Time
   • I chose an enamel paint that took 30 days to fully cure, which meant we had to live with tacky, easily damaged surfaces for a month.
3. Underestimating the Prep Work
   • I thought cleaning with TSP alone was enough, but sanding and carefully wiping down the dust are just as important for a smooth, lasting finish.

FAQs

Painting kitchen cabinets can be one of the most rewarding DIY projects, but it’s also one where skipping or misunderstanding a step can cause major headaches. If I’ve learned anything from my chippy paint disaster, it’s that preparation is key, and following instructions carefully is non-negotiable. Learn from my mistakes and transform your cabinets the right way. You’ve got this!

Have you ever had a DIY project go hilariously (or tragically) wrong? Let’s commiserate in the comments! I’d love to hear your stories—both the good and the bad—and cheer you on in your future projects.