Can cabinets be repainted or refinished?
Many homeowners, whether they have recently purchased a home or have lived in the same one for many years, have outdated or worn out kitchen cabinets that need serious attention. When they find out the intimidating amount of work and cost involved in replacing these important kitchen fixtures, many people ask whether refinishing or repainting is a good alternative.
The truth is that this is an excellent option in many situations. Repainting cabinets can cost as little as 10 to 20 percent of the cost of replacing them, and future repainting will be even cheaper because it will likely only require one coat of paint. A painted cabinet can usually be expected to remain bright and pleasant for 5-6 years, meaning that replacement cabinets could take 25 years or more to pay off financially in comparison.
Besides freshening up your cabinet doors and face-frames with paint, you can very easily replace hinges and knobs/handles at the same time to create a very crisp, attractive effect. Between these two relatively easy procedures, you can dramatically change the overall look of your kitchen. Out-dated cabinets can be made to look modern and stylish, increasing the appeal and value of your home. Stained, damaged, worn out cabinets can be transformed into attractive, clean, new-looking show-pieces.
There are a variety of methods for repainting cabinets. It is important, of course, to clean the surfaces before repainting. In addition, most types of paint will require that you remove any previous glossy sheen by sanding or using a stripping agent. This does not mean sanding down to the bare wood, but simply removing the protective glossy surface.
After removing the glossy finish, the typical procedure is to use an appropriate primer, followed by two good coats of finish paint. Traditionally, oil-based paints have been the choice for this top-coat because of the excellent durability and superior smoothness. Here in California, however, recent laws restrict the use of paints with VOC’s, and many of our customers here in the San Francisco Bay Area share our environmental concerns about these volatile organic compounds. Fortunately, there are other good products that can achieve your desired results.
If you have any questions about refinishing cabinets, MB Jessee would be happy to discuss your options for updating or refreshing your kitchen. Even when investing with a painting contractor to repaint your cabinets, the project will be much less expensive than replacing the cabinets, and you will then be sure of achieving spectacular, professional results.
