# Why Do Painted Cabinets Chip? > Canonical: https://parallel-painting.com/why-painted-cabinets-chip/ > AI-readable site summary: https://parallel-painting.com/llms.txt > Why is your cabinet paint chipping? Learn how to spot impact damage, poor adhesion, and the right repair. Call Tyler: (951) 551-0583. Diagnosis First Painted cabinets usually chip from impact at edges and corners or poor adhesion. Grease left on the surface, unprepared gloss, or a skipped required primer can prevent a sound bond; putting cabinets back into use before the paint cures leaves them vulnerable to damage. Look under the chip: bare wood or primer showing across wide areas points to an adhesion problem, not normal wear. By [Tyler Fowler](https://parallel-painting.com/tyler-fowler/), owner · CSLB #1015608 · Updated September 22, 2026 CSLB #1015608 Yelp: 55 reviews, 4.8-star rating · Google: 9 reviews, 5.0-star rating 5-Year Written Warranty ## How to tell which one you have **Edges and corners:** a pot, bag or other knock can chip an exposed edge. A small chip where something hit your door may be a local repair. Paint lifting in broad sheets across untouched faces points to a bond problem. **Hinge-side rubbing:** open and close your door slowly. Watch whether the damaged edge touches the frame or the next door. If it does, the fit and hardware need checking before touching up the paint. **Paint and primer off together:** if bare cabinet material is showing, the bond failed at that surface. Grease, moisture or poor surface prep can cause it. The exposed layer shows where the repair needs to start. **Topcoat off, primer still there:** the coats have separated. A weak earlier layer, contamination or poor prep can keep them from bonding. Leave the loose edges as they are. Tyler checks those layers and tells you what needs to come off. [Text photos of the damage](sms:+19515510583?&body=Hi%2C%20here%20are%20photos%20of%20my%20cabinets%3A) Text a few photos of the damage to [(951) 551-0583](sms:+19515510583?&body=Hi%2C%20here%20are%20photos%20of%20my%20cabinets%3A) — Tyler will review the photos and arrange an in-person inspection. Cabinet refinishing specialist ## Sprayed cabinet finishes, done by Tyler. - CSLB #1015608 - Tyler Fowler handles each project personally - Two-component (2K) polyurethane - 5-year written warranty - Sealed containment and HEPA-vacuumed sanding [Get Your Free Estimate](https://parallel-painting.com/contact/#service=cabinet_refinishing) [Call Tyler About Cabinets](tel:+19515510583) ![Two-tone cabinet refinishing with a sprayed island finish](https://parallel-painting.com/images/Cabinets-blue.webp) _Two-tone cabinet refinishing with a sprayed island finish_ ![Clean white cabinet finish with smooth doors and drawers](https://parallel-painting.com/images/Cabinets-white-3.webp) _Clean white cabinet finish with smooth doors and drawers_ ![Large white cabinet refinishing project with full reinstall](https://parallel-painting.com/images/white-cabinets.webp) _Large white cabinet refinishing project with full reinstall_ ## Why newly painted cabinets chip Fresh paint needs to cure before it reaches its intended hardness. Your doors can feel dry and still be vulnerable to marks and nicks. Follow the coating’s cure instructions before putting doors, drawers and shelves back into heavy use. Poor prep leaves paint without a firm grip. Grease, unprepared gloss or a skipped required primer can stop it bonding. A weak old finish underneath can also let go and take the new coat with it. Tell Tyler when the chips appeared and whether your doors were knocked or rubbing. He looks at the damage and the surrounding finish himself. The repair starts with the layer that’s failing. ## Can it be saved? Yes, a small chip on otherwise sound paint can sometimes be touched up. Fix any rubbing first. That repairs the spot; widespread peeling needs a different fix. Spot touch-ups don’t carry the 5-year warranty. If the paint is letting go across your cabinets, Parallel Painting takes the failed finish fully off to sound substrate. Tyler checks every door and box before Parallel Painting rebuilds. Before the quote, Tyler explains whether a damaged piece can hold a new finish and the limits of refinishing. Read [repainting already painted cabinets](https://parallel-painting.com/repainting-already-painted-cabinets/) for the difference between a sound recoat and a full rescue. If your paint also feels sticky, tell Tyler before covering the chips. He’ll check both symptoms as part of the same repair. ## How a full cabinet refinish works A rescue takes the failed finish completely off, down to sound substrate. Before the cabinet boxes are sanded, your kitchen is sealed under negative-pressure containment, and every sander runs on a HEPA vacuum. Then comes bonding primer and 2K polyurethane — a two-part coating that hardens through a chemical reaction between its components. A fan draws air through a regular filter and vents outdoors to help control airborne dust, overspray, and fumes within the work area. Your doors and drawer fronts are sprayed in Parallel Painting's shop booth. Cabinet boxes are sprayed in your kitchen under containment. Tyler Fowler handles each project personally. See how the full [cabinet refinishing process](https://parallel-painting.com/cabinet-refinishing/) works, or read why Parallel Painting uses [2K polyurethane](https://parallel-painting.com/2k-polyurethane-cabinet-finish/). ## What the warranty covers here Every full refinish Parallel Painting does comes with a 5-year written warranty. For a failing finish, Parallel Painting assesses the existing coating and removes failing paint to a sound substrate before refinishing. Spot touch-ups are sometimes possible, but they don’t carry the 5-year warranty. Tyler explains which repair your cabinets need before you commit. ## Cabinet refinishing in Temecula Valley and beyond Parallel Painting provides premium cabinet refinishing for homeowners in Southwest Riverside County (Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Wildomar and Lake Elsinore), nearby Fallbrook and the Coachella Valley. Call or text Tyler to talk through your cabinets and the next step. ## Frequently asked questions ### Why are my newly painted cabinets chipping? Knocks, use before full cure and poor adhesion can all cause early chips. Grease, unprepared gloss or weak paint underneath can keep a new coat from bonding. Tyler checks where your doors are chipping and which layer is letting go, then tells you how to fix it. ### Do professionally painted cabinets chip? Yes, a knock can chip an edge even on professionally finished cabinets. A small impact chip may need a local touch-up. Paint coming off in broad sheets points to a bond problem. Tyler checks your doors before recommending a touch-up or a full rescue. ### What if the paint and primer chip off together? If paint and primer come off together and leave bare cabinet material, the bond has failed at that surface. If the primer stays put, the topcoat has separated from it. Tyler checks those exposed layers to find where the repair needs to start. ## Related guides and services ### Failed cabinet finishes Start with the rescue assessment and possible scope. → https://parallel-painting.com/fix-peeling-painted-cabinets/ ### Cabinet refinishing Read about the full refinishing service. → https://parallel-painting.com/cabinet-refinishing/ ### 2K polyurethane cabinet finish Read the separate guide to the coating. → https://parallel-painting.com/2k-polyurethane-cabinet-finish/ ### Wallpaper installation and removal Discuss your wallcovering project and scope. → https://parallel-painting.com/wallpaper/ ## Start with the condition you can see Call or text Tyler to discuss the surface, the history and the next step. [Call (951) 551-0583](tel:+19515510583) [Get Your Free Estimate](https://parallel-painting.com/contact/) [Call or text Tyler: (951) 551-0583](tel:+19515510583) --- Parallel Painting — Tyler Fowler, owner/operator. Phone: (951) 551-0583 · CSLB #1015608 · Cabinet refinishing and wallpaper specialist · Owner-Operated since 2016 Service area: Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Wildomar, and Lake Elsinore (Temecula Valley / Southwest Riverside County), nearby Fallbrook (San Diego County), plus Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, and La Quinta (Coachella Valley). Website: https://parallel-painting.com · Request an estimate: https://parallel-painting.com/contact/