Why Painted Cabinets Peel, and What a Lasting Cabinet Refinish Needs
The short answer
Painted cabinets peel because the paint never bonded. The usual causes are leftover grease, no sanding, no bonding primer, the wrong paint, or using the cabinets before the finish has cured.
A lasting refinish is mostly prep: degrease, sand, bonding primer, then two sprayed coats of a kitchen-grade finish. Done this way, refinished cabinets are built to last 10 years or more with normal use.
The Six Reasons Painted Cabinets Peel
1. Grease was never fully removed
Kitchen cabinets collect cooking oil, especially around the stove and handles. Paint cannot bond to a greasy surface.
2. The surface was not sanded
Factory finishes are slick. Without sanding to give the surface some grip, paint sits on top and lifts at edges and corners.
3. No bonding primer
Bonding primer is the layer that locks the finish to the old surface. Skipping it is the most common reason for chipping.
4. Wall paint was used
Wall paint is not designed for the wear cabinet doors take. A durable kitchen-grade finish resists scuffs, moisture and cleaning.
5. Brushed or rolled instead of sprayed
Brushing leaves ridges and uneven build-up that chip more easily. A sprayed finish goes on smooth and evenly.
6. Used before it cured
A finish can feel dry in a day but takes about 7 to 14 days to reach full hardness. Heavy use or harsh cleaners in that window damage it.
What a Lasting Cabinet Refinish Includes
This is the process we follow on every kitchen:
Free on-site quote and colour consult
We count doors and drawer fronts, check the condition of the cabinet boxes and help you choose a colour.
Disassembly and protection
Doors, drawer fronts and hardware are removed and labelled. Countertops, floors, appliances and cabinet boxes are masked.
Degrease, sand and prime
Every surface is degreased and sanded, then a bonding primer is applied. Oak gets a grain-filling primer so the grain does not show through.
Two sprayed finish coats
A kitchen-grade waterborne alkyd finish is sprayed in two coats for a smooth, factory-like result.
Reassembly and walkthrough
Hardware is reinstalled (or upgraded if you like), doors are adjusted, and we walk through the finished kitchen with you.
Caring for Your Cabinets After Refinishing
- For the first 7 to 14 days, avoid abrasive cleaners and scrubbing.
- Wipe with a soft cloth and mild cleaner afterward.
- Wipe up spills and grease near the stove promptly.
- Close doors gently while the finish reaches full hardness.
Questions to Ask Any Cabinet Refinisher
- How do you degrease and prep the surfaces?
- Do you use a bonding primer, and what is the finish product?
- Do you spray, or brush and roll?
- How long should I wait before heavy use?
- What warranty comes with the work?
Our warranty
Cabinet and painting work carries a 2-year labour warranty. We are BBB A+ accredited, WorkSafeBC registered and $5M liability insured.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my painted kitchen cabinets peeling?
Almost always because of skipped prep. Grease and cooking residue were not removed, the surface was not sanded, or no bonding primer was used, so the paint never bonded. Using wall paint instead of a durable cabinet finish is the next most common cause.
Can peeling cabinets be fixed without starting over?
Small chips can be touched up, but widespread peeling means the bond has failed. The loose finish needs to be removed, the surface degreased and sanded, and a bonding primer and new finish applied.
How long should I wait before using cabinets after refinishing?
Most kitchen cabinet projects take 3 to 5 business days from disassembly to reassembly, but the finish takes 7 to 14 days to reach full hardness. During that time, avoid abrasive cleaners and treat the doors gently.
Can oak cabinets be painted so the grain does not show?
Yes. A grain-filling primer fills the open oak grain so it does not telegraph through the paint, which gives a smooth, modern painted finish. This is the most common cabinet project we do.
Is a sprayed finish better than brushing or rolling?
For cabinets, a sprayed finish gives a smoother, more even surface with no brush marks. We remove and label the doors and drawer fronts so they can be sprayed properly, then reinstall them and adjust the hardware.
Should I refinish or replace my cabinets?
If the cabinet boxes are structurally sound and you like the layout, refinishing gives you a new look. If the boxes are warped or damaged, or you want a new layout, replacement makes more sense. We will tell you honestly at the site visit.
Related Services & Guides
Thinking about refinishing your cabinets?
We will look at your cabinets, recommend the right approach and give you a written quote. Free on-site quote across Richmond and Metro Vancouver.
Featured Projects
Take a look at some of our recent work that showcases our commitment to quality and attention to detail
Ready to Transform Your Space?
Get a free quote for your painting or renovation project today.
What Our Clients Say
Don't just take our word for it. Here's what our satisfied customers have to say about their experience with Maple Brothers.
"We were so thankful that we could find Adam and his team at Maple Brothers to help us with our commercial property. He was punctual, reliable and extremely responsive.
Their team finished our project within 2 days and we were so thankful as it was during holidays and we feel so blessed that we could have our business up and running immediately after the paint was finished during the holidays.
We look forward to hiring them again in the future!! We highly recommend Adam and his crew. Thank you :)"
Vancouver
"Adam and his team were professional, punctual, and wonderful to work with. They worked hard to make sure they produced high quality paint work, and we couldn't have been happier. I fully endorse Adam and would recommend him without reservation."
Vancouver
"I was very happy with the painting job Maple Brothers Painting done at my condo . Adam has been very responsive, he finished the job on time and came right away to do the necessary touch ups.
He is efficient and has good communication skills. I will be recommending his services to my Buyers and Sellers as I work in the Real Estate Industry."
Vancouver
"It was a pleasure having Adam paint our bedroom! He did an amazing job and was very responsive and kind. Would absolutely hire maple brothers again for future projects."
Vancouver
"Thank you so much Adam for all the hard work you and your crew put into renovating our kitchen cabinets and our laundry room. I am very pleased with all the details done, and the transformation.
The cabinets went from dated and scratched, to modern and sleek. If you need an honest and respectful contractor, call Maple Brothers. Thanks again!"
Vancouver
"Thank you to Adam and his guys for the beautiful stain on our deck! We were on a budget and needed it done soon, they accommodated both! We're very happy with the workmanship and clean up.
We'll definately hire them again."
Vancouver
"We're very pleased with the entire experience of having Maple Brothers paint the exterior of our house. We highly recommend Adam and his team. All the workers were courteous and Adam's communication and responsiveness are top notch.
They made sure the job was done to our satisfaction. We also appreciated that the owner was on the job site throughout the process. They used quality products and prepped carefully, and the price was very competitive.
We plan to contact them for future projects."
Vancouver
"I am very happy with the paint job that Adam and his crew had done in my house. They had given attention to a lot of details and the result was high quality.
Also, I had a tight timeline, I appreciate that Adam was able to accommodate and even complete ahead of schedule. I would not hesitate to recommend Maple Brother to others needing professional painting services."
Vancouver
"Adam and his team did an excellent job on the exterior painting of our house. He was responsive and really helpful with our requests. We highly recommend Adam and his team."
Vancouver
"I actually can't say enough good things about Adam and his team! Great experience all around. Communication and responses to inquiries was prompt and professional.
Adam got back to me within 24 hours of my reaching out and had an estimate to me 24 hours after that.
He then came and did a walk-through on the evening of a stat holiday Monday to provide an updated quote and make a plan.
He and his team were at my place, supplies and paint cans in hand at 9am sharp the very next day. On top of everything, the work done is very high quality and my condo looks great!
Adam clearly takes pride in the quality of his work and the work of his team. Upfront and very reasonable pricing. Quote was accurate and there were no surprises upon completion.
I would honestly recommend Adam and his team to anyone and will definitely use them again in future! Thanks again!"
Vancouver
"We contacted Maple Brothers to paint the exterior of our house after doing some research online. Adam is great to work with - he is very responsive and reliable.
In spite of many challenges with the weather, he and his team kept in touch to let us know their plans. We appreciate his attention to detail and to finishing all the work to such a high standard.
We will definitely work with Maple Brothers again and highly recommend them!"
Vancouver