An often asked question pertains to the kind of paint used on cabinets and if there is a difference between it and that used with walls. There are differences due to the fact that cabinets and walls are very distinct surfaces, and the type of paint generally used for interior walls will encounter many challenges when trying to apply them to kitchen cabinets.
Most kitchen cabinets have slippery surfaces due to the materials used in their design to give them that modern aesthetic. Typical wall paints may not stick properly to cabinets and can start chipping or flaking off prematurely. The kind of paint contractors choose for cabinets has adhesives that helps it stick to these slippery surfaces better, and is also generally thicker to guarantee longer durability. The chemicals and structure of cabinet paint also needs extended time to dry and cure than those generally used on walls.
Comparing cabinet painters to uncover the best one for your needs and style requires a substantial amount of consideration. The first place to begin is by understanding precisely what look you're trying to achieve with your kitchen cabinets. You should ask contractors to see samples of their past work matching your vision beforehand to get a feel for their experience and ability. Trustworthy contractors would be pleased to grant this request, and many retain a gallery of pictures for potential customers to browse through on their website.
You need to have a set budget worked out while choosing professional cabinet painting contractors, as costs sometimes fluctuate largely. Make sure that any painter you hire provides written statements of all equipment and labor costs as well as clear verbal communication throughout the process about it's timeline. What you don't need is for unexpected surprises to occur once the project begins that will raise costs above what you budgeted for.
Give attention to the professional's reputation by checking their online client reviews. Most experienced painters will have feedback and reviews from past customers for view online, and these are also a great 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 quickly start dipping brushes into paint and get your kitchen remodeling project moving forward, but there is some prep that needs to happen first to ensure your cabinets look great and are protected from the heavy-use they will likely see in the years to come. Cabinet painting can quickly become an overwhelming project when doing it on your own, but a professional will quickly and effectively bring your vision to life starting with the most important prepping steps of cleaning, sanding, and priming:
- Cleaning: It's crucial that any dirt or grime are thoroughly cleaned from cabinet surfaces prior to painting or staining or it might affect their adherence. The cleaning stage is also the right time to take apart the cabinets and their gear, like drawers, knobs, hinges, etc., to make the following stages easier and more effective.
- Sanding: The good news is that innovations in home improvement have made great strides, and there are products that contractors use to make one of these prepping steps easier. 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. Liquid abrasives can also reach any edges that are exceedingly challenging to get to with regular sandpaper.
- Priming: Priming is mandatory in many cases, and it serves many important purposes for the painting that comes next, such as facilitating better adhesion, blocking stains and imperfections from bleeding through, and providing a protective layer over the cabinet surface. If the current paint was oil-based and you cover it with a latex paint without priming, it will only peel away and require repainting sooner than you'd like.
There are several factors that play into the cost 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 rates of the contractor. Around West Bend, WI, you will pay anywhere from a couple hundred to a couple thousand dollars for a good cabinet painter, and it's recommended to first seek out quotes from several contractors listed on the Thumbtack site to get an accurate estimate based on your requirements and vision.
- Kitchen Layout or Number of Cabinets: Depending on the layout of your kitchen cabinets and the scope of your project, painters could 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 cost of paint and other equipment unless you're providing them, and these generally vary by quality. Per-gallon rates for paints utilized in cabinet refinishing range anywhere from $20 to $100 or more for designer brands with a gallon typically being plenty for most kitchens.
- Labor: Labor will be your biggest expense when paying for professional cabinet painting, but your requested timeline could also raise or lower the overall price depending on what time of the year or how fast you want the job completed.
You'll need to talk about your kitchen's particular cabinets and layout and your ideas for them with more than one professional to find the best price.