9 replies to this topic

[folsom44]

Hello,

 

I was interested if anyone has painted and/or refaced their cabinets.  For those of you who have had them painted....does the paint hold up over time or does it start chipping, fading after a couple of years?  We are trying to decide whether it's worth the additional expense to have cabinets refaced or if done properly will painting them last for a while.  Any good recommendations for refacing and painting where the quality of work was excellent and cabinets have held up good over time? 

 

Thank you in advance for the feedback!

[Steve Heard]

Hello,

 

I was interested if anyone has painted and/or refaced their cabinets.  For those of you who have had them painted....does the paint hold up over time or does it start chipping, fading after a couple of years?  We are trying to decide whether it's worth the additional expense to have cabinets refaced or if done properly will painting them last for a while.  Any good recommendations for refacing and painting where the quality of work was excellent and cabinets have held up good over time? 

 

Thank you in advance for the feedback!

 

There are many different techniques and options. Google around for different finishes and type. Some use a wood veneer, some a sort of synthetic stuff that adheres to the wood and can be done in many different colors. I had a client with the latter, and he had a counter-top appliance and the rising heat from it melted an area of the cabinet above. He was told it couldn't be repaired, and that he'd have to re-face the who cabinet.  

I've also seen the veneer peel at corners. 

 

Some of my clients have had them painted, but end up touching them up as they do get banged up and tend to chip. 

 

I had mine sanded and re-stained about 10 years ago. They still look decent. It was expensive because it's labor-intensive. 

 

Like I said, Google it around. Let us know what you end up choosing.

[caligirlz]

If you are on facebook, there have been discussions and pictures in Folsom facebook chat. 

[ambrno33]

If you paint them yourself, they will chip within a few months. Of you hire a cabinet painting company (not just a regular painter, but one that specializes in cabinets) they use a much stronger paint and sealant, and it will last for years.
Refacing includes New drawers and hardware, so overall it depends on what you are needing. If you have exterior hardware, and old drawers, it might be worth it to reface. If your cabinets are fairly new, and you just don't like the color, it would probably be worth it to have them painted. When we got quoted last year, painted by a good company was $100/ door or drawer.
Refacing is more in the 10k range...

[The Average Joe]

Been in quite a few rentals with painted cabinets, and unless they are done right, they look cheap (IMO).  If you are considering refacing, it can get expensive. When I redid our kitchen, we considered refacing, but instead decided to gut the whole thing down to drywall and redo. It was not as expensive as you might think. My wife designed the cabinetry layout, and we had them built by a cabinet shop in Rancho. I installed them. They had all the options like full extension sliders glass door uppers and lazy susans, AND we had a matching faux hutch made for the dining room. They are white thermofoil and have held up incredibly well. I think total cost was around 12k which was pretty close to the refinish estimate. cabinets aren't too difficult to install if you have a good level, a few power tools and are handy. Uppers can be difficult if you are hanging them solo, but it can be done.

 

Just my 2c.

[Howdy]

Been in quite a few rentals with painted cabinets, and unless they are done right, they look cheap (IMO).  If you are considering refacing, it can get expensive. When I redid our kitchen, we considered refacing, but instead decided to gut the whole thing down to drywall and redo. It was not as expensive as you might think. My wife designed the cabinetry layout, and we had them built by a cabinet shop in Rancho. I installed them. They had all the options like full extension sliders glass door uppers and lazy susans, AND we had a matching faux hutch made for the dining room. They are white thermofoil and have held up incredibly well. I think total cost was around 12k which was pretty close to the refinish estimate. cabinets aren't too difficult to install if you have a good level, a few power tools and are handy. Uppers can be difficult if you are hanging them solo, but it can be done.

 

Just my 2c.

You did the right thing. Nothing worse than taking builder grade oak  cabinets and wasting the time or money or both painting them. It cracks me up when you look at houses for sale that state it has a gourmet kitchen and all it has is some painted cabinets with the horrible oak grain still showing through and granite tops. What an embarrassment. If we decide to stay in our house here over the next few weeks we will be blowing out the kitchen for a full redesign. Painting cabinets is nothing more than putting lipstick on a pig or trying to polish a turd.   Just my 2c.

 

If you are going to paint them......Brushing Putty from Fine Paints of Europe will be your friend to hide the oak grain. Labor intensive, but will give them a killer look, but will do nothing to hide the horrible 90's cabinet design/look and the exposed hinges. 

[caligirlz]

I was pretty impressed with the cabinet painting work that Trico advertises, even though I'd never use them. 

 

http://www.yelp.com/...oN0B8cf9GRMrpOg

[folsom44]

Thanks everyone for the honest and helpful information.  After much consideration....we are leaning toward the reface route.  The house came with updated counters, appliances and backsplash....a POOR job was done on the cabinet painting so now it is chipping.  If anyone has recommendations for a reasonably priced and re-liable contractor (or company) for cabinet re-facing, please post on here.  

 

Thanks again!

[mrdavex]

Thanks everyone for the honest and helpful information.  After much consideration....we are leaning toward the reface route.  The house came with updated counters, appliances and backsplash....a POOR job was done on the cabinet painting so now it is chipping.  If anyone has recommendations for a reasonably priced and re-liable contractor (or company) for cabinet re-facing, please post on here.  

 

Thanks again!

I had Kitchen Mart reface my bathroom vanity a couple years ago: http://www.kitchenmartinc.com/ 

They were very professional and the quality was good, but definitely pricey.  If you're not planning to change your counters and backsplash, then the refacing route would probably save money over a complete replacement.  I also remember someone here used Cabinet Crafters, who builds a completely new solid wood face instead of just applying a veneer: http://cabinetcrafters.com/ 

[folsom44]

Just wanted to give an update after the helpful feedback. We paid a handyman to paint our oak cabinets in the laundry room, bathrooms and hallway cabinets using the rustoleum cabinet paint set. Costs about $80 per box at Home Depot and used 2 boxes. It looks great. Can't speak for how it will hold up over time, but at this point I would recommend. Refacing was well beyond our budget