An often asked question is about the type of paint used on cabinets and if there is any difference between it and the paint used for walls. There are differences due to the fact that cabinets and walls are very distinct surfaces, and the kind of paint preferred for interior walls will encounter some difficulties when trying to apply them to kitchen cabinets.
Many kitchen cabinets have smooth surfaces due to the materials used in their construction to give them that modern appearance. Typical wall paints will not adhere adequately to cabinets and can start to chip and flake away prematurely. The type of paint contractors use 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 requires longer time to dry and cure than those usually used on walls.
Comparing cabinet painters to discover the perfect one for your specifications and style requires a substantial amount of work. A good place to begin is by understanding exactly what look you're trying to achieve for your kitchen cabinets. You should ask candidates to view samples of their prior work matching your vision beforehand to get a sense of their experience and ability. Professional 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 in mind when choosing professional cabinet painting contractors, as prices often fluctuate widely. Check that any professional you consider gives written statements of all equipment and labor costs and gives clear verbal communication during the project about it's timeline. The last thing you need is for unexpected surprises to occur once the project commences that can raise costs above what you budgeted for.
Pay close attention to the contractor's reputation by evaluating any online client reviews. Most professional painters will have comments and reviews from past customers available online, and these are also a great way to find out if they have a history of delivering the services you expect on time and within budget.
It's always tempting to immediately start dipping brushes into paint and get your kitchen remodeling project moving forward, but there is some prep that needs to happen beforehand to ensure your cabinets look as envisioned and hold up to the heavy-use they will likely see in the years to come. Cabinet painting will quickly turn into an overwhelming project when attempting it alone, but a professional can quickly and efficiently bring your vision to life starting with the most important prepping phase of cleaning, sanding, and priming:
- Cleaning: It's very important that any dirt and grease are completely removed from cabinet surfaces prior to painting or staining or it might affect their adherence. The cleaning step 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 efficient.
- Sanding: The good news is that innovations in home improvement have made great strides, and there are products that contractors use to make some of these prepping steps a breeze. Deglossers, also called liquid sandpaper, is a chemical product that quickly strips gloss from cabinet surfaces so that the long method of sanding in the traditional way is virtually obsolete. Deglossers will also penetrate to any edges that are exceedingly difficult to get to with regular sandpaper.
- Priming: Priming will be mandatory in many cases, and it serves a vital purpose for the painting that follows, such as allowing for better adhesion, blocking stains and imperfections from showing through, and providing a protective layer over the cabinet surface. If the existing paint is oil-based and you apply a latex paint before priming, it will only chip off and require repainting sooner than expected.
There are many factors that play into the price of having your kitchen cabinets professionally painted, including the size and complexity of your kitchen, the number of cabinets, what type of paint will be used, and the labor costs of the contractor. In Lakeland, FL, you could pay anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars for a professional cabinet painter, so it's advised to first obtain quotes from several contractors listed on the Thumbtack platform to get an accurate estimate based on your requirements and vision.
- Kitchen Size or Number of Cabinets: Depending on the complexity of your kitchen cabinets and the scope of the requested services, contractors may bill you according to square footage or by individual cabinet doors and drawers.
- Variety of Paint and Finish: The contractor will have to recoup the price of materials if you aren't providing them, and these usually vary by quality. Per-gallon rates for paints utilized in cabinet refinishing range anywhere from twenty to one hundred dollars or more for high-quality brands with one gallon usually being enough for most kitchens.
- Labor: Labor will be your most significant 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 project finished.
You'll need to discuss your home's unique cabinets and layout and your ideas for them with more than one professional to uncover an accurate estimate of price.