Cabinet painting: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What cabinet painting is

Cabinet painting cleans, degreases, sands and primes cabinet doors and boxes, then applies durable paint for a smooth finish. People choose it to refresh a kitchen or bathroom without replacing the cabinets, provided the boxes and doors are in sound condition.

Signs you need it

  • The old finish is chipped, yellowed or sticky, especially around the handles and on the edges
  • Grease from the stove has built up and the surface feels tacky even after cleaning
  • The cabinet style is solid and you want a new color or a sleeker look without new boxes
  • Doors and drawer fronts are sound, but the finish is dull and will not take a clean coat
  • The cabinets were stained or varnished and you want a painted finish instead

What the pro does

  • Remove doors, drawer fronts, hinges and hardware, and label each piece so it returns to the same place
  • Clean and degrease all surfaces, then sand the finish to a suitable texture so the primer can bond
  • Fill dents and holes, and apply a bonding primer to the doors, frames and boxes
  • Spray or brush the first coat of cabinet paint, then let it cure for the time the product needs
  • Apply the finish coats, sanding lightly between them, and seal the surface with a durable topcoat
  • Rehang the doors and drawer fronts, adjust the hinges and reinstall the hardware

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • The number of doors, drawer fronts and the boxes, and whether the inside of the cabinets is painted
  • The condition of the existing finish, including whether it has to be stripped or only sanded
  • Whether the job is brushed, rolled or sprayed, and whether a spray booth or a dust-controlled space is needed
  • The paint type chosen, such as an enamel, a water-based cabinet paint or a multi-coat system
  • Any repair of chipped edges, damaged doors or loose hinges
  • Access to the kitchen or bath, and whether the cabinets can be removed and taken to a shop

What a written quote should spell out

  • Number of doors, drawer fronts and boxes listed, with the interior surfaces noted
  • Prep steps named, including degreasing, sanding and filling
  • Primer and topcoat product type, with the number of coats and the sheen
  • Hardware handling, including whether the hardware is reinstalled or replaced
  • Protection plan for countertops, floors and appliances, and the cure time before use

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Will you spray the doors or brush them, and where will that happen?
  • How do you prepare the surface so the paint does not chip at the edges?
  • What product do you use on the cabinets, and how durable is it against grease and cleaning?
  • How long does the paint take to cure before the doors can be closed and used?
  • What do you do if the doors have damage or the wood is soft at the edges?
  • Can you show me a painted cabinet kitchen you did, with the finish after a year of use?

Red flags

  • The pro does not degrease the surfaces, and says the paint will bond on its own
  • The pro uses a wall paint on the cabinets without a bonding primer or topcoat
  • The pro plans to paint the doors in place on the cabinets with no protection for the countertop
  • The pro says the paint will be ready to use the same day with no cure time

What you can do yourself

Labeling and removing the doors and hardware, cleaning the surfaces with a degreaser and taping off the walls are reasonable homeowner tasks. Spray finishing in a home without good ventilation, and any repair of loose boxes or damaged doors, should be handled by a professional who has the right equipment and experience.

Licenses and permits

Cabinet painting is commonly done without a license in many places, but a finish that includes structural or cabinet box repair may need additional credentials. Check with your state or local licensing agency about the rules that apply to your work.

Cabinet painting questions

Can I paint over laminate cabinets?

Laminate can be painted, but it needs a bonding primer and a scuff step so the paint sticks. Ask the pro whether the surface has been prepared for paint and whether they will use a product made for laminate.

How long will painted cabinets last?

It depends on the prep, the paint type and how the kitchen is used. Ask the pro what topcoat they use and how the doors should be cleaned to protect the finish.

Should I paint the inside of the cabinets too?

Painting the inside is optional. It adds time and surface area, but it gives a uniform look when the doors are open. Ask the pro to show the interior finish on a sample.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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