Our cabinet painting services are super popular, and if you’ve come across our transformation photos and videos on social media you know exactly why. Who doesn’t love seeing tired surfaces refreshed, or honey oak finishes from the 1990s replaced with modern cabinet colors? It’s super satisfying for us as professional painters too.
The process raises a lot of great questions though. You’ve probably heard horror stories of cabinet painting projects gone wrong, maybe with terrible finish quality, weak coatings that start to chip and peel, or a messy, prolonged painting process.
To help you make the best choice for your Rhode Island home, we’d love to tackle these cabinet painting FAQs head on. Total transparency. Ready?
Are painted kitchen cabinets durable?
It 100% depends on HOW they’re painted, and the products that are used. If a homeowner (or inexperienced painter) uses standard interior paint, applied with minimal prep, your cabinet finish just won’t perform well.
On the other hand, if your cabinets are carefully disassembled, cleaned, prepped, primed, and painted with products designed for high-wear surfaces like cabinetry, your finish will be extremely durable.
Do you brush or spray kitchen cabinets?
There are some specific styles/techniques that are brushed, but we almost exclusively spray kitchen cabinets. This approach allows us to build a factory-grade finish: smooth and beautiful without any lines or brush marks.
Where do you spray kitchen cabinets?
Most painting companies will spray your cabinets right in your home, often by making a makeshift spray booth with plastic sheets in your garage or backyard. We actually have a dedicated spray shop with all the proper filtration and ventilation for the best finishes possible. For example, airborne debris (even tiny dust particles) can land in your cabinet paint if you’re not in a totally controlled environment, and that’s not something we want to risk.
Is painting cabinets expensive?
“Expensive” is a relative term. Compared to a full kitchen remodel, cabinet painting is much more cost-effective. But it’s also not cheap. Cabinet painting done right isn’t designed to be a cheap alternative to remodeling, just an alternative. And bear in mind that you truly do get what you pay for, whether you feel ambitious and tackle the project yourself or hire a painting company that offers the lowest price point.
Can you use regular interior paint for cabinet painting?
No, you really can’t. Typical wall paint has a softer finish, while cabinet paint needs a hard finish that acts as a protective shell. As an example, take a look at this enamel paint that’s formulated for cabinet doors and trim - frequent use and washing won’t take a toll at all.
Are painted kitchen cabinets hard to clean?
White cabinets are obviously not as forgiving as dark cabinets when it comes to hiding splatters, drips, and scuffs, but that doesn’t mean they need to be difficult to clean. Referencing our point above, if you have a hard finish on your cabinetry you can absolutely wipe them down or scrub off that spilled marinara sauce. No worries. The issues arise when you have a weak cabinet paint job that can be removed or discolored when you clean it.
Have more questions about cabinet painting in Rhode Island?
We’re here to help! Contact us at Dennis Moffitt Painting with any and all questions. You also might enjoy this article that features a cabinet painting project we finished for a local client (and her experience).