Correcting Cabinet Painting Mistakes with Professional Refinishing

a Project by CertaPro Painters® of Boulder and Longmont

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Fixing a Poor Cabinet Paint Job in Boulder Colorado

A Boulder homeowner reached out to CertaPro Painters after a previous contractor repainted her kitchen cabinets without priming or properly preparing the surfaces. The result was a finish marred by visible drips, glob marks, and dings — far from the smooth, professional look the homeowner had originally hoped for. She turned to CertaPro to correct the issue and deliver the high-quality finish her kitchen deserved.

certapro sign outside house

The Challenge

Correcting a poorly executed paint job is often more difficult than starting from scratch. Several factors had to be carefully managed:

• Excess paint drips, globs, and dings left behind from the previous, improperly prepped application

• No primer had been used originally, raising the risk of poor long-term adhesion

• The recency of the previous paint job meant the existing coating could still be curing — a factor that affects whether surfaces can be sanded or require chemical stripping

• Cabinets require a finish engineered to withstand frequent cleaning and daily wear — standard wall or ceiling paint is not built for that purpose

Our Approach

CertaPro’s specialty cabinet crew approached the project with the detailed preparation that should have happened the first time:

• Detailed Hand-Sanding: We removed excess paint drips and globs left by the previous application, and corrected dinged areas across the cabinet surfaces.

• Spot Priming: Primer was applied as needed to ensure proper adhesion and a uniform appearance across all surfaces before the finish coat.

• Premium Cabinet-Grade Product: We used Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel, an acrylic urethane coating specifically engineered for cabinetry and trim — chosen for its smooth, luxurious finish and durability against frequent cleaning and daily wear.

• Spray Application: Paint was applied by spraying for the smoothest, most uniform finish achievable on cabinetry — the same approach our specialty crews use on every cabinet project.

Project Photos

Since the cabinets were sprayed for the smoothest possible finish, our crew built a temporary containment spray room in the homeowner’s garage. This created a clean, controlled environment to spray the cabinet doors and pieces without overspray reaching the rest of the home, while still keeping the project fully on-site for convenience. Click on any image to zoom in.

Paint Drips & Dings

Paint Drips & Dings

Previous Paint Failure on Cabinet Doors

Previous Paint Failure on Cabinet Doors

Garage Prepped as Temporary Spray Room

Garage Prepped as Temporary Spray Room

Surface Corrections

Surface Corrections

Keeping the Home Clean Throughout the Process

Keeping the Home Clean Throughout the Process

Professional Spray-Finish

Professional Spray-Finish

Smooth, Uniform Results

Smooth, Uniform Results

Residential Services by CertaPro Painters®

CertaPro Painters® provides a range of custom interior and exterior painting services, allowing for a smooth, seamless experience and exceptional results in every home. Whether you’re having your kitchen cabinets updated or refreshing the paint in your home’s bedrooms, the CertaPro Painters® team approaches every painting project with an eye for detail.

Check out our Cabinet Refinishing and Repainting

Cabinet Refinishing and Repainting

Your cabinets are perhaps one of the most touched surfaces in your home, so it’s no surprise that they wind up with a little wear and tear. At CertaPro Painters® of Boulder and Longmont we’ll work with you to find a finish or paint that meets the needs of your home and daily routine.

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Check out our Color Consultation

Color Consultation

Not sure which shade to choose? Struggling to differentiate matte, satin and gloss? We’ll help you navigate the sea of options to find a color that matches your home’s interior aesthetic and stands up to your family’s daily routine.

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Check out our Drywall Repair

Drywall Repair

Whether your home has water damage that requires drywall repair or your walls have medium-to-large holes that need patching, the CertaPro Painters® of Boulder and Longmont crew will patch, sand and prime, to create a flawless surface to paint on.

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Check out our EPA Lead Certified

EPA Lead Certified

At CertaPro Painters® of Boulder and Longmont we are EPA Lead Certified. This means that if we are performing a renovation, repair or painting project that disturbs lead-based paint in your home, we use certified renovators who are trained by EPA-approved training providers and follow lead-safe work practices.

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Check out our Painting and Staining

Painting and Staining

At CertaPro Painters® of Boulder and Longmont we offer a variety of interior and exterior home painting and staining services, including your home’s deck and fencing. Regardless of the room inside your home that needs an update or the area of your home’s exterior that needs protection from Mother Nature, our team works with you to determine the best plan of action for your home.

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Check out our Power Washing

Power Washing

Power washing is a vital step in painting the exterior of your home. CertaPro Painters® of Boulder and Longmont uses the process to remove mold, oil and old paint so new paint absorbs into your surface better.

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Check out our Residential Siding Painting

Residential Siding Painting

Whether you have high-tech vinyl siding, aluminum, composite or a more traditional siding, CertaPro Painters® of Boulder and Longmont knows how to restore them. Our team has the right approach to add new life to your exteriors.

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Check out our Skim Coating

Skim Coating

Learn how CertaPro of Boulder and Longmont’s interior painters can properly repair your damaged walls through skim coating.

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Check out our Stain to Paint Conversion

Stain to Paint Conversion

There are many steps that go into taking a part of your home from stained to painted, and attention to detail is a must. Our team can makeover any room seamlessly. A few of the areas we can upgrade in your home are doors, window trim, shelves, cabinets, and walls.

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Check out our Staircase & Banister Painting

Staircase & Banister Painting

Staircases are often one of the first things you see when entering a two-story home. Many homes feature staircases built with high quality materials and woodworking, but show signs of wear and tear from years of use. CertaPro Painters® is often called by local homeowners to revitalize staircases and return them to like-new condition.

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Check out our Wallpaper Removal

Wallpaper Removal

Removing wallpaper can be a tricky task. The crew at CertaPro is skilled in removing wallpaper and will make this time-consuming task, hassle-free for you. All you’ll have to do is enjoy the final look.

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