Hey folks! I'm trying to give a facelift to some outdated 90s cabinets in my home by refinishing them instead of replacing. I've done quite a bit of work already: I've degreased them with Krud Kutter, sanded them down with 80 grit and then 220 grit (since there were some damages), applied a shellac primer in two coats, and sanded in between. Finally, I've painted them two times with Behr cabinet semi-gloss paint. However, I'm concerned because they feel more like an eggshell finish rather than a semi-gloss. I'm wondering if this is normal? Could it be due to my sprayer, leftover dust, or something else entirely? I'd really appreciate any tips you can offer!
3 Answers
It sounds like you might have missed applying a sanding sealer if you were aiming for a hard semi-gloss finish. That could definitely impact the smoothness and sheen of the final result. Don’t forget to prep the surface properly before painting to get that glossy look!
I noticed you skipped the important step of using a 120 grit sandpaper after the initial sanding. It would help create a smoother surface for the paint to adhere to. Also, after using the 220 grit, be sure to clean off all the dust with something like a tack cloth to get the best finish!
Make sure you're using the right paint technique. If your paint is too thick, try reducing it a bit and apply lighter coats. Let each coat flash before applying the next to prevent runs. Check if you can adjust the settings on your sprayer for better application too!
I did use a shop vac and a clean rag to remove the dust, though I didn't have a tack cloth. I'm open to starting over if I have to, but I want to avoid repeating the same mistakes if possible.