The short version: Cabinet painting turns dated oak, cherry or laminate cabinets into a smooth painted finish without replacing them. Ramon gives you the days with the estimate. The estimate is free, itemized and in writing. Call or text (408) 464-7665.
Painting versus replacing
If the cabinet boxes are solid and the layout works, painting them gives you a new-looking kitchen for a fraction of what new cabinets cost, and the kitchen is out of action for days instead of weeks. If the boxes are falling apart or you want a different layout, painting is not the answer and Ramon will tell you so at the estimate. Mary Smith had her kitchen cabinets refinished by Color Pros and then came back for the interior and the exterior; David Pharr had thirty-year-old custom wood cabinets, doors and a railing painted white. Both reviews are on Google.
How the cabinets are done
- Remove all cabinet doors, drawer fronts and hardware; every piece is labeled
- Deep cleaning to remove grease and residue
- Sanding so the primer bonds
- Fill and repair dents, dings and damage
- High-adhesion bonding primer
- Multiple coats of cabinet-grade paint, sprayed for a smooth finish
- Light sanding between coats
- Reinstall doors and hardware and adjust the alignment
- Final inspection: no runs, drips or brush marks
Doors and drawer fronts are sprayed off site or in a sealed area of your home. The boxes are painted in place with the kitchen masked off.
Free written estimate: call or text (408) 464-7665
What moves the price
The number of doors and drawer fronts is the main thing. A small galley kitchen with twenty doors is a very different job from a large kitchen with forty doors, an island and a built-in hutch. Glass-front doors, raised panels with a lot of detail and oak with deep grain that needs filling all add time. A two-tone kitchen (white uppers, a colored island, for example) is a small addition. Bathroom vanities and laundry cabinets can be added to the same job.
Colors that work
White and off-white are still the most asked for, with gray, greige and navy or green islands close behind. If you are going from dark wood to white, the finish needs more coats and a good primer, and that is in the quote. Ramon will bring samples and look at them against your counters, floor and backsplash before you commit.
“We have used Color Pros Inc 3 times in the past 18 months. First they repainted the exterior of our 2 story house, 2 partial days to prep the house and one day to paint the stucco and wood trim, it was an awesome experience. …”
Living with painted cabinets
Cabinet paint needs a few weeks to cure fully even though it is dry to the touch in a day. Go easy on the doors for the first couple of weeks, use a soft cloth and mild soap to clean them, and they will hold up to daily use for years.
Cabinet painting from our jobs
Where we do cabinet painting
Morgan Hill, Gilroy and San Martin are closest to the office. We also work in San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Campbell, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Monte Sereno, Los Altos, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Milpitas, Fremont, Union City, Redwood City, Woodside. If you are not sure whether you are in our area, call and ask.
Cabinet painting questions
Can oak cabinets be painted smooth?
Yes. Oak has open grain that shows through paint unless it is filled. We fill and sand the grain before priming when you want a smooth finish; some customers like a little grain showing, and that is faster.
How long is my kitchen out of use?
Usually three to five working days with the doors off, then they go back on. You can use the kitchen in the evenings; the counters and appliances are covered during the day.
Do you paint laminate or thermofoil cabinets?
Laminate, yes, with the right bonding primer. Thermofoil that is peeling has to be repaired or replaced first; Ramon will look at it.
Can I change the hardware at the same time?
Yes. If the new pulls need different holes, the old ones are filled and sanded before painting, so plan the hardware before the job starts.
Is the finish sprayed or brushed?
Doors and drawer fronts are sprayed. Boxes are sprayed where it is practical and brushed and rolled where it is not, with the same paint.
Related services
Free, itemized estimates.
Ramon answers the phone and texts back. Monday to Friday 7 to 7, Saturday 8 to 5.