Have kitchen cabinets with a horrible faux-finish that is peeling off. Any suggestions on prep. to repaint?

Question

Do I really need to take all of the finish off and start over, or can I just scrape of the peeling parts, sand, prime, etc.

Answer 1

to really do it right, it would be best to take it down to the base completely. however, if you want to try it, i think you'll be okay if you just scrape them down really good to get all the loose stuff, then sand and prime. could go wrong, but i think the odds will be in your favor.

Answer 2

I am assuming that you're cabinets are made of partical board and not actual wood wood (if that makes sense), because I'm having the same problem with my dinning room table. I asked my father about this, as he has worked with wood for over 20 years now.

What he told me to try, is to find a very fine grade of sandpaper, and sand it down. That should remove most of the flaking/peeling finish, and smooth out the rough spots. Then prime and finish as you normally would.

You might have to use grittier sand paper if you find that it's not smoothing out well, or not removing all of the finish. I did have to do this with my table, and it didn't seem to harm it. Be careful though, so you don't scratch it up to much (made that mistake, lol).

Good luck! :)