If you are planning on refinishing your cabinets, you know that while it is hard work, it can help reduce the cost of a kitchen remodel significantly. However, just because you want to save money on this process, it doesn’t mean you need to skimp when it comes to the process or the materials you use. The fact is, refinishing cabinets so they look great requires some skill and in some cases, letting the professionals handle the job is best.

However, if you are determined to handle this process on your own, make sure to avoid the common mistakes found here.

Don’t Work in Extreme Weather/Natural Conditions

Don’t try to begin the project when it is extremely hot or extremely cold. While you need it to be warm enough to keep your windows and doors open for ventilation, if it is too hot, then the finishing products used won’t set properly.

Make Sure You Prep the Cabinets Properly

One of the top reasons for failed refinishing projects for cabinets is if you don’t properly prep the surfaces. You have to remove the doors from the cabinets and take off all pulls, hinges and knobs. The surfaces of the cabinets also need to be stripped, scrapped and sanded before they are stained, painted or primed. If you skip any of these steps, then it will result in your cabinets looking worse than they did before you got started.

Make Sure You Gather the Necessary Tools

If you want to properly finish your kitchen cabinets, you need to make sure you have the right tools available. This will usually include (but may not be all the tools you need) the stain or paint you plan to use, primer, gloves, brushes, a sander and stripper.

Measure Carefully

Another common mistake is that you don’t measure the cabinets properly. If this happens, you may not get enough product to handle the job. Take the necessary measurements and make sure to write everything down before you go to the store.

Test Your Products Prior to Applying

Choose a small test area on your cabinets to sample the finishing products and the process you are going to use. This will make sure that you purchased the right products, that you have applied them properly and that the surface will absorb the selected product as it should.

Keep in mind, if you have chosen to refinish your cabinets, you can’t rush the process. If you do, the results may not be what you are looking for.