Cabinet Painting
Cherry kitchen cabinets to white
A full run of stained cherry cabinets degreased, sanded, primed and refinished in white. Same kitchen, completely different room.
Service
Cabinet Painting
Painted cabinets are the most unforgiving job in a house. Doors are handled every day, kitchen grease is invisible until paint refuses to stick, and every brush mark shows on a flat panel.
Done right, it’s a big change for a fraction of a remodel: same boxes, same layout, a clean new finish. Done fast, it chips at the handles within months. We do it slowly on purpose.
What’s included
- Kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, built-ins and islands
- Removing doors, drawer fronts and hardware; labeling every piece
- Cleaning and degreasing every surface
- Sanding, filling dings and grain where needed
- Bonding primer, then finish coats on boxes, doors and drawer fronts
- Reinstalling doors and hardware (yours or new hardware you provide)
What’s not
- Cabinet repair, new doors or carpentry
- Countertop, backsplash or plumbing work
- Cabinet interiors unless agreed in the estimate
Not sure where your project fits? Call us and ask. We’ll tell you straight.
Our process
How we do cabinet painting
- 01
Walkthrough
We check the cabinet material, current finish and condition, and agree on color and sheen.
- 02
Remove and label
Doors, drawer fronts and hardware come off and every piece is labeled so it goes back exactly where it was.
- 03
Protect the kitchen
Counters, appliances, floors and backsplash are covered. The work area is sealed off from the rest of the house.
- 04
Degrease and sand
Every surface is cleaned and degreased, then sanded so primer can grip. Dings are filled and sanded flush.
- 05
Prime and finish
A bonding primer, light sanding between coats, then finish coats for a smooth, even surface.
- 06
Reinstall and adjust
Doors and drawers go back on, hardware is reinstalled and doors are adjusted to close straight.
Why the finish matters here
Cabinets take more abuse than any other painted surface: hands, steam, splashes, cleaning sprays. Adhesion is everything, and adhesion comes from cleaning, sanding and the right primer.
Smoothness is the other half. Doors are flat and seen at arm’s length, so brush marks, drips and dust nibs are obvious. That’s why we sand between coats and take the doors off instead of painting them in place.
Cabinet Painting projects
All projectsCabinet Painting FAQ
Can I use my kitchen during cabinet painting?
Partly. The work area is covered and you’ll lose access to cabinets for a few days. We’ll plan with you so you can keep using the fridge and a part of the counter where possible.
Do you paint the inside of the cabinets?
Usually we paint the exterior faces, doors and drawer fronts. Interiors can be added; we’ll price it separately in the estimate.
Can you paint laminate or thermofoil cabinets?
Some laminate can be painted with the right bonding primer. Peeling thermofoil is not a good candidate. We’ll check yours during the walkthrough and be straight with you.
How long until the paint is fully hard?
Cabinets are dry to handle within days, but cabinet paint keeps curing for a few weeks. Go easy on scrubbing and slamming doors during that time.
Can you install new hardware?
Yes, if the new hardware fits the existing holes or you want new holes drilled. Supply the hardware and we’ll install it during reassembly.
Other services
Planning cabinet painting?
Tell us what you want painted. We’ll come see it, talk through the details and put an estimate in writing.