An often asked question is about the kind of paint used for cabinets and if there is a difference between it and that used for walls. There are distinctions because cabinets and walls are very distinct surfaces, and the type of paint typically used for interior walls will face some difficulties when trying to apply them to kitchen cabinets.
Many kitchen cabinets have smooth surfaces because of the materials used in their construction to give them their modern aesthetic. Common wall paints will not adhere properly to cabinets and can start to chip and flake away prematurely. The kind of paint professionals choose for cabinets contains adhesives that allows it to stick to these slippery surfaces better, and is also usually thicker to ensure longer durability. The chemicals and composition of cabinet paint also necessitates extended drying and curing times than those usually used on walls.
Comparing cabinet painters to discover the perfect one for your specifications and vision takes a substantial amount of work. The first place to start is by knowing precisely what aesthetic you're trying to achieve for your kitchen cabinets. You should ask contractors to view a sample of their previous work similar to what you're looking for beforehand to get a feel for their experience and skill. Trustworthy contractors would be pleased to accommodate this request, and many keep a portfolio for potential clients to browse through on their website.
You need to have a set budget worked out while shopping around for professional cabinet painting contractors, as prices sometimes fluctuate significantly. Ensure that any professional you hire provides written statements of all material and labor expenses as well as clear verbal communication during the project about it's timeline. The last thing you want is for unexpected surprises to pop up after the project commences that will raise costs higher than you budgeted for.
Give attention to the professional's reliability by evaluating their online client reviews. Most experienced painters will have comments and reviews from previous clients for view online, and these are also an efficient way to find out if they have a history of delivering the services you need on time and on budget.
It's may be enticing to immediately start dipping brushes into paint and get your home improvement project going, but there is some prep that needs to be done beforehand to ensure your cabinets look great and hold up to the heavy-use they will likely see in the future. Cabinet painting can quickly turn into an overwhelming project when attempting it on your own, but a professional will quickly and efficiently bring your vision to reality beginning with the most common prepping phase of cleaning, sanding, and priming:
- Cleaning: It's very important that any dirt or grime are fully removed from cabinet surfaces prior to painting or staining or it could hinder their adherence. The cleaning stage is also a good time to disassemble the cabinets and its hardware, such as doors, knobs, hinges, etc., to make the next stages easier and more effective.
- Sanding: The good news is that innovations in home improvement have made great strides, and there are products today which professionals use to make one of these prepping steps easier. Deglossers, also called liquid sandpaper, is a chemical abrasive that quickly removes gloss from cabinet surfaces so that the messy process of sanding in the traditional way is virtually obsolete. Deglossers can also penetrate to any nooks and crannies that would be exceedingly challenging to get to with traditional sandpaper.
- Priming: Priming is necessary in most cases, as it serves many important purposes for the painting that follows, such as enabling better adhesion, blocking stains and imperfections from bleeding through, and providing a protective layer over the cabinet surface. If the previous paint is oil-based and you cover it with a latex paint without priming, it will only chip off and need to be repainted sooner than expected.
There are several factors that play into the price of getting your kitchen cabinets professionally painted, such as the size and layout of your kitchen, the number of cabinets, what kind of paint is needed, and the labor costs of the contractor. In San Marcos, California, you could pay anywhere from a couple hundred to a couple thousand dollars for a professional cabinet painter, and it's suggested to first seek out quotes from several professionals listed on the Thumbtack platform to gain an accurate estimate based on your requirements and vision.
- Kitchen Complexity or Number of Cabinets: Depending on the layout of your kitchen cabinets and the scope of your project, contractors may charge you according to square footage or by the number of cabinet doors and drawers.
- Variety of Paint and Finish: Your contractor will need to recoup the price of materials if you aren't providing them, and these usually vary by quality. Per-gallon cost of paints utilized in cabinet painting range anywhere from $20 to $100 or more for high-quality brands with a gallon typically being enough 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 time of the year or how fast you want the job finished.
You'll want to discuss your home's particular cabinets and layout as well as your ideas for them with more than one contractor to uncover an accurate estimate of price.