Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinet Painting

Is painting right for your cabinets?

Painting suits solid wood and MDF cabinet boxes and doors that are structurally sound. It will not fix sagging shelves, water-damaged particleboard or doors that do not close. Peeling thermofoil or laminate usually needs replacing rather than painting.

How a professional cabinet job works

1. Label and remove. Doors and drawer fronts are numbered, removed, and often taken to a shop to be sprayed.
2. Degrease. Kitchen cabinets carry cooking grease that stops paint from sticking. Every surface is cleaned with a degreaser.
3. Sand and repair. The old finish is scuff-sanded, dents and gouges are filled, and dust is removed.
4. Bonding primer. A primer made for slick surfaces gives the finish something to grip, and blocks stains and wood tannins.
5. Enamel finish. Cabinet enamels, such as waterborne alkyds or urethane-modified acrylics, are sprayed in thin coats for a smooth, hard surface.
6. Reinstall. Hinges and hardware go back on once the finish can be handled. New hardware is an easy upgrade at this stage.

Cure time matters

Cabinet finishes are dry to the touch quickly but take days to weeks to fully harden. Be gentle with doors during that time and avoid scrubbing. Ask the painter for the product's cure time.

Brush, roll or spray?

Spraying gives the smoothest, most factory-like finish. Brushing and rolling cost less but can leave brush marks. Ask to see finished examples of the method the company plans to use.

Questions to ask

• Will the doors be sprayed off-site, and how long will my kitchen be without them?
• Which primer and finish product will you use?
• How do you protect countertops, floors and appliances?
• What does your warranty cover if the finish chips or peels?

Comparing quotes

Two prices only compare when they describe the same job. Ask every pro to put these in writing:

• Scope: which surfaces, rooms or areas are included, and what is excluded.
• Prep: washing, scraping, patching, caulking, sanding and priming, step by step.
• Products: the brand and product line, the sheen, and the number of coats.
• Schedule and cleanup: start date, expected duration and daily cleanup.
• Payment: a deposit and payment schedule tied to progress. Be wary of large upfront payments.
• Warranty: what it covers, for how long, and what voids it.

Florida does not issue a state license for painting contractors, and since 2021 state law has generally kept cities and counties from requiring one. Ask instead for a certificate of general liability insurance, proof of workers' compensation coverage (or the state exemption certificate for an owner who works alone), and the company's local business tax receipt.