To DIY or Not to DIY Kitchen Cabinet Painting
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A complete kitchen remodel is typically expensive because of the large number of cabinets. Many older homes have solid wood cabinets in good shape but with an outdated finish (think 80’s golden oak). You can save substantially on a budget kitchen update by foregoing new cabinetry and painting existing cabinets or refinishing them with an updated stain color. If you’re thinking of DIY kitchen cabinet painting to save even more, here are some important considerations shared by Brian Schwaller, owner of Schwaller’s Painting, Staining & Drywall.
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Can I just paint over kitchen cabinets?
Yes, most wood kitchen cabinets that are structurally sound can be painted. If you Google “how to paint kitchen cabinets” you will see results that claim it’s a quick and easy DIY project. Some product ads claim “no sanding or sealing required,” and some even sell one can wonder products with no need for a separate primer. So why shouldn't you believe them?
The original finish on your kitchen cabinets was sealed to make them impervious to moisture, grime and grease from daily use, so you can wash them without damage. That also makes it really hard for primer and paint to bond correctly unless you prep cabinets properly before painting.
Should I DIY kitchen cabinet painting?
You might see kitchen cabinets painted in a day or two on home makeover shows, but the reality is that painting cabinetry is not a quick and easy DIY project. Many homeowners opt out when they learn the correct way to paint kitchen cabinets and realize how much time and equipment they need to get it done.
How to Prep Kitchen Cabinets for Painting
Thorough prep is essential to get a smooth, durable finish on kitchen cabinets that will stand up to daily use and cleaning products, and won’t chip or peel over time. That means disassembling (doors, drawer fronts and hardware removed), sanding, cleaning, and priming cabinets, and then applying multiple coats of cabinet grade paint with a professional sprayer.
What is the best paint for kitchen cabinets?
The paint products and equipment for painting cabinetry are as important as thorough cabinet prep. “You shouldn’t just use paint from a big box store. You need professional, cabinet-grade finishes with high washability that will stand up to household cleaners,” Schwaller says. With proper preparation, and the right products applied with professional spray equipment by an experienced painter, your painted cabinets “will look like they just came from the factory.”
How to Paint Oak Kitchen Cabinets?
Solid oak kitchen cabinets have been very popular for their durability, but in older homes many have an outdated “golden oak” finish that was common in the 1980’s, and not everyone is a fan of the heavy wood grain look. If cabinets are in good shape, oak cabinets can be painted. The wood grain texture will still be visible close up, but far less noticeable. Thorough cabinet prep (sanding, cleaning and priming) and multiple coats of paint applied with a professional grade sprayer are keys to a smooth, durable finish.
Is it better to use a roller or brush to paint kitchen cabinets?
Neither! Brushes and rollers can’t apply thin, smooth coats of paint on cabinetry like a professional grade sprayer can, and they leave telltale marks on cabinets even after drying. Cabinets must be prepped properly, primed and painted in multiple coats with a professional sprayer to get a smooth, durable finish that won’t peel, crack or chip over time.
Should I paint or replace my kitchen cabinets?
Painted cabinetry and woodwork has become very popular, with the added benefit that you probably don’t have to replace cabinets and trim in older homes, which are often expensive solid wood. “Homeowners often call a painting contractor to update a kitchen or bathroom affordably, without replacing cabinetry,” says Schwaller. Painting kitchen cabinets is also quicker than replacing cabinetry, which requires gutting your kitchen (making it unusable for several weeks or even months). It’s important to note that refacing kitchen cabinets is not the same as painting cabinetry. A cabinet reface typically involves new doors and drawer fronts prior to painting. This can be a good option if you want to have a newer cabinet door style installed prior to painting.
When you opt for painting kitchen cabinets vs. replacing them, there is no need to gut your kitchen and have it torn up for months. Schwaller’s Painting can usually refinish cabinets in about a week. Cabinet doors and drawer fronts are removed and refinished in our shop, then delivered finished and ready to re-install. The only painting done on-site is the cabinet frames, which minimizes the mess in your home.
What if my cabinets just need a refresh?
Painting kitchen cabinets isn’t the only option for an affordable kitchen update. If you like the look of stained wood but the cabinets are scuffed or worn, Schwaller’s professional painters can touch them up with custom-matched stain and reseal them, allowing you to preserve expensive wood cabinetry that may have been custom built for your kitchen. Contact Schwaller’s Painting to schedule a free in-home estimate for your project.
Yes, most wood kitchen cabinets that are structurally sound can be painted. If you Google “how to paint kitchen cabinets” you will see results that claim it’s a quick and easy DIY project. Some product ads claim “no sanding or sealing required,” and some even sell one can wonder products with no need for a separate primer. So why shouldn't you believe them?
The original finish on your kitchen cabinets was sealed to make them impervious to moisture, grime and grease from daily use, so you can wash them without damage. That also makes it really hard for primer and paint to bond correctly unless you prep cabinets properly before painting.
Should I DIY kitchen cabinet painting?
You might see kitchen cabinets painted in a day or two on home makeover shows, but the reality is that painting cabinetry is not a quick and easy DIY project. Many homeowners opt out when they learn the correct way to paint kitchen cabinets and realize how much time and equipment they need to get it done.
How to Prep Kitchen Cabinets for Painting
Thorough prep is essential to get a smooth, durable finish on kitchen cabinets that will stand up to daily use and cleaning products, and won’t chip or peel over time. That means disassembling (doors, drawer fronts and hardware removed), sanding, cleaning, and priming cabinets, and then applying multiple coats of cabinet grade paint with a professional sprayer.
What is the best paint for kitchen cabinets?
The paint products and equipment for painting cabinetry are as important as thorough cabinet prep. “You shouldn’t just use paint from a big box store. You need professional, cabinet-grade finishes with high washability that will stand up to household cleaners,” Schwaller says. With proper preparation, and the right products applied with professional spray equipment by an experienced painter, your painted cabinets “will look like they just came from the factory.”
How to Paint Oak Kitchen Cabinets?
Solid oak kitchen cabinets have been very popular for their durability, but in older homes many have an outdated “golden oak” finish that was common in the 1980’s, and not everyone is a fan of the heavy wood grain look. If cabinets are in good shape, oak cabinets can be painted. The wood grain texture will still be visible close up, but far less noticeable. Thorough cabinet prep (sanding, cleaning and priming) and multiple coats of paint applied with a professional grade sprayer are keys to a smooth, durable finish.
Is it better to use a roller or brush to paint kitchen cabinets?
Neither! Brushes and rollers can’t apply thin, smooth coats of paint on cabinetry like a professional grade sprayer can, and they leave telltale marks on cabinets even after drying. Cabinets must be prepped properly, primed and painted in multiple coats with a professional sprayer to get a smooth, durable finish that won’t peel, crack or chip over time.
Should I paint or replace my kitchen cabinets?
Painted cabinetry and woodwork has become very popular, with the added benefit that you probably don’t have to replace cabinets and trim in older homes, which are often expensive solid wood. “Homeowners often call a painting contractor to update a kitchen or bathroom affordably, without replacing cabinetry,” says Schwaller. Painting kitchen cabinets is also quicker than replacing cabinetry, which requires gutting your kitchen (making it unusable for several weeks or even months). It’s important to note that refacing kitchen cabinets is not the same as painting cabinetry. A cabinet reface typically involves new doors and drawer fronts prior to painting. This can be a good option if you want to have a newer cabinet door style installed prior to painting.
When you opt for painting kitchen cabinets vs. replacing them, there is no need to gut your kitchen and have it torn up for months. Schwaller’s Painting can usually refinish cabinets in about a week. Cabinet doors and drawer fronts are removed and refinished in our shop, then delivered finished and ready to re-install. The only painting done on-site is the cabinet frames, which minimizes the mess in your home.
What if my cabinets just need a refresh?
Painting kitchen cabinets isn’t the only option for an affordable kitchen update. If you like the look of stained wood but the cabinets are scuffed or worn, Schwaller’s professional painters can touch them up with custom-matched stain and reseal them, allowing you to preserve expensive wood cabinetry that may have been custom built for your kitchen. Contact Schwaller’s Painting to schedule a free in-home estimate for your project.
