A frequently asked question is about the kind of paint used for cabinets and if there is any difference between it and that used on walls. There are differences because cabinets and walls are very distinct surfaces, and the type of paint typically used for home walls will face some difficulties when trying to apply them to kitchen cabinets.
Most kitchen cabinets have smooth surfaces because of the materials used in their construction to give them that modern aesthetic. Common wall paints might not adhere sufficiently to cabinets and can begin to chip and flake away prematurely. The kind of paint contractors choose for cabinets has adhesives that allows it to stick to these slick surfaces better, and is also generally thicker to guarantee longer durability. The chemicals and structure of cabinet paint also needs longer time to dry and cure than those generally applied to walls.
Vetting cabinet painters to uncover the most suitable one for your needs and style takes a substantial amount of work. A good place to focus on is by understanding exactly what style you're trying to achieve for your kitchen cabinets. You should ask contractors to see samples of their past work similar to your vision beforehand to get a feel for their experience and ability. Reliable contractors will be pleased to grant this request, and many retain a gallery of pictures for potential customers to browse through on their website.
You should have a defined budget worked out while choosing professional cabinet painting contractors, as prices often fluctuate significantly. Make sure that any painter you hire gives written statements of all material and labor costs as well as clear verbal communication during the process about it's timeline. The last thing you need is for unexpected surprises to pop up once the project begins that will raise costs above what you planned for.
Give attention to the contractor's dependability by evaluating their online client reviews. Most professional painters will have comments and reviews from previous customers for view online, and these are also an efficient way to judge their ability to deliver the services you expect on time and on budget.
It's always enticing to quickly begin dipping brushes into paint and get your kitchen remodeling project moving forward, but there is some prep that needs to be done first to ensure your cabinets look as envisioned and are protected from the heavy-use they will likely see in the future. Cabinet painting can quickly turn into an overwhelming task when attempting it on your own, but an expert will quickly and efficiently bring your vision to life starting with the most common prepping stage of cleaning, sanding, and priming:
- Cleaning: It's very important that all dirt or grease are completely removed from cabinet surfaces before painting or staining or it might affect their adherence. The cleaning step is also the right time to take apart the cabinets and its gear, such as drawers, knobs, hinges, etc., to make the next steps easier and more efficient.
- Sanding: The good news is that innovations in home improvement have made notable advancements, and there are products that contractors use to make some of these prepping steps a breeze. Deglossers, also known as liquid sandpaper, is a chemical abrasive that quickly removes gloss from cabinet surfaces so that the messy method of sanding in the traditional way is virtually obsolete. Liquid abrasives can also penetrate to those nooks and crannies that would be exceedingly difficult to get to with traditional sandpaper.
- Priming: Priming is necessary in many cases, and it serves many important purposes for the painting that comes next, such as allowing for better adhesion, preventing stains and imperfections from bleeding through, and providing a protective layer over the cabinet surface. If the previous paint is oil-based and you apply a latex paint without priming, it will only flake away and require repainting sooner than expected.
There are many things that play into the cost of having your kitchen cabinets professionally painted, such as the size and complexity of your kitchen, the number of cabinets, what kind of paint is needed, and the labor costs of the contractor. In Long Beach, California, you could pay anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars for a professional cabinet painter, and it's advised to first obtain quotes from several contractors listed on the Thumbtack site to gain an accurate estimate based on your requirements and vision.
- Kitchen Complexity or Number of Cabinets: Depending on the complexity of your kitchen cabinets and the scope of the requested services, painters might bill you according to square footage or by the number of cabinet doors and drawers.
- Type of Paint and Finish: The contractor will need to recoup the cost of paint and other equipment if you aren't providing them, and these generally vary by quality. Per-gallon rates for paints used with cabinet refinishing range anywhere from $20 to $100 or more for high-quality brands with a gallon typically being plenty for most kitchens.
- Labor: Labor will be your biggest expense when it comes to professional cabinet painting, but your schedule could also raise or lower the overall cost depending on what season of the year or how fast you want the job finished.
You'll need to talk about your kitchen's particular cabinets and layout as well as your ideas for them with more than one professional to find the best price.