Kitchen Cabinet Painting
Factory-like finish without the factory price. Complete removal, professional spray application, and a finish that lasts.
Let's be transparent about cabinet painting
This is not a weekend DIY project or a quick brush-on job. Proper cabinet refinishing takes 5-7 days, requires complete removal of all doors and drawers, and involves multiple rounds of cleaning, sanding, priming, and spraying. Your kitchen will be unusable during this time. The $5,500-$9,250 price reflects 40-60 hours of skilled labor, not just the cost of paint.
The Real Process (5-7 Days)
Day 1: Removal & Labeling (4-6 hours)
We remove every door, drawer front, and piece of hardware. Each piece is labeled with a numbering system so it goes back in the exact same spot. We photograph the layout. Hinges and hardware go in labeled bags. Your kitchen is now doorless.
Why it matters: Cabinet doors are not interchangeable. A 1/16" difference in hinge placement means doors won't close properly.
Day 1-2: Deep Cleaning & Degreasing (3-4 hours)
Kitchen cabinets have years of cooking grease, hand oils, and grime embedded in the finish. We wash everything twice with degreaser, then wipe with denatured alcohol. If we skip this, the new paint peels in 6 months.
The water turns brown. Every time. Even on "clean" cabinets.
Day 2: Sanding (6-8 hours)
We sand every surface to scuff the existing finish so primer adheres. Doors and drawers are sanded flat on workbenches. Cabinet boxes are sanded in place (dust containment is critical here). We sand to 150-180 grit, vacuum, then tack cloth every surface.
This is the step cheap painters skip. It's also why their jobs fail.
Day 3: Priming (4-5 hours + dry time)
We spray one coat of bonding primer on everything. We use shellac-based or high-bond acrylic primer (not the cheap stuff from the hardware store). Primer is tinted to your finish color. Then we wait 2-4 hours for it to dry.
Primer is not optional on cabinets. Paint directly on wood or existing finish = peeling and chipping.
Day 3-4: First Finish Coat (3-4 hours + dry time)
We spray the first coat of finish paint using an HVLP sprayer (not a brush, not a roller, not a Wagner sprayer from Home Depot). We use Benjamin Moore Advance or Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane - paints specifically formulated for cabinets. Dry time: 4-6 hours minimum.
Day 4-5: Sand & Second Coat (4-5 hours)
We lightly sand the first coat with 320-grit to knock down any dust nibs or imperfections. Vacuum and tack cloth again. Spray second finish coat. This is what gives you that smooth, factory finish.
Day 6-7: Cure & Reinstall (3-4 hours)
Paint is dry to touch in hours but takes 7 days to fully cure and harden. We reinstall doors and drawers on day 6-7 (carefully - the finish is still soft). We adjust hinges, install hardware, and do final touch-ups. You can use your kitchen lightly after 24 hours, but treat it gently for a week.
Full cure: 7 days. Light use: after 24 hours. No aggressive cleaning for 30 days.
What's Included
- • Complete removal of all doors, drawers, and hardware
- • Professional spray finish (not brushed or rolled)
- • Proper prep: degrease, sand, prime (the steps that matter)
- • Premium cabinet paints: Benjamin Moore Advance or SW Emerald Urethane
- • Two finish coats with sanding between
- • Reinstallation and adjustment of all hardware
- • 5-year warranty against peeling and blistering
What's NOT Included
- • New hardware (we reinstall your existing hardware; new hardware is extra)
- • Cabinet repairs (loose hinges, damaged doors, etc. - we can do this, but it's extra)
- • Inside of cabinets (we paint doors, drawers, and face frames only unless specified)
- • Plumbing or electrical work (we work around it, but don't disconnect anything)
- • Countertop protection beyond basic covering (we cover them, but if you have expensive stone, consider extra protection)
Note: We don't paint laminate or thermofoil cabinets that are peeling. The substrate is failing - paint won't fix it. We can discuss refacing options.
Investment
Cabinet painting costs 60-70% less than replacement and 40-50% less than refacing. Here's what to expect:
Small Kitchen
10-15 doors/drawers
Average Kitchen
18-25 doors/drawers
Most common
Large Kitchen
25+ doors/drawers, island, pantry
What's included in that price: All labor, premium cabinet paint, primer, materials, and 5-year warranty. Not included: New hardware, repairs, or painting cabinet interiors.
Cabinet Painting FAQs
How long does my kitchen need to be out of commission?
Plan for 5-7 days where your kitchen is essentially unusable. We remove all doors and drawers on day 1, so you have open cabinets (we can leave up temporary coverings if needed). You can access dishes and food, but it's inconvenient. Most clients set up a temporary kitchen in another room with a microwave and coffee maker. We work cleanly, but it's still a construction zone.
Will the paint hold up to daily use?
Yes, if done properly with the right products. We use cabinet-specific paints (Benjamin Moore Advance or Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane) that cure to a hard, washable finish. They're designed for cabinets, not walls. That said, painted cabinets require more care than factory finishes. Use gentle cleaners, avoid harsh chemicals, and wipe up spills promptly. With reasonable care, expect 8-10 years before needing touch-ups.
Can you paint laminate or thermofoil cabinets?
Laminate: Yes, if it's in good condition and properly prepped with bonding primer. Thermofoil: Only if it's not peeling. If the thermofoil is bubbling or peeling, the adhesive has failed and paint won't adhere long-term. In those cases, we recommend replacing the doors or refacing. We'll be honest during the estimate if your cabinets aren't good candidates for painting.
What's the difference between your $7,000 job and a $2,500 quote I got?
The $2,500 quote is likely brushing and rolling in place without removing doors, skipping proper prep, using wall paint instead of cabinet paint, and no warranty. We've fixed dozens of these "budget" jobs. Proper cabinet painting is labor-intensive. If someone quotes you $2,500 for an average kitchen, they're cutting corners that will cost you more in 12-18 months when it starts peeling. Ask them: "Do you remove the doors? What primer do you use? What paint? Do you spray or brush?" Their answers will tell you everything.
Should I just replace my cabinets instead?
If your cabinet boxes are solid wood and structurally sound, painting is the best value. New cabinets for an average kitchen start at $15,000-$25,000 installed (and that's for stock cabinets, not custom). Refacing (new doors, paint boxes) is $10,000-$15,000. Painting is $5,500-$9,250 and gives you 80% of the visual impact for 30-40% of the cost. If your cabinets are falling apart, have water damage, or you want to reconfigure the layout, then yes, replace them. If they're just dated or the wrong color, paint them.
Thinking about painting your cabinets?
We'll do an in-home consultation, show you samples, and give you a detailed quote with no pressure. If painting isn't the right solution, we'll tell you.
Free estimates • Detailed written quotes • 5-year warranty • Licensed & insured