Kitchen Cabinet Makeover

[Gourmand 7,778]

Anyone have experience with DIY painting dated wood kitchen cabinets?

I recently updated the cabinets in our master bath by painting them with a roller/brush combo and it was a giant pain in the ass. It just about broke my back. They look great and I'm happy with the final result, but the amount of time it took for such a small job was a  good indicator of the massive undertaking it would be to take the same approach in our kitchen. 

So I've narrowed it down to contracting it out or doing it myself with a spray gun. Any tips or suggestions for either option and what would I be looking at cost-wise?

[Spur08 384]

I did it recently in my bathroom w a spray gun. What I learned:

The most important step to not skip is proper prep work. I.e. sanding, cleaning, taping, etc.

Select the right paint to make sure it won't peel or chip after

There is a pretty good learning curve on the gun. Not too heavy, not too light.

Cleanup still sucks either way if you want to make sure that gun works next time

[Gil Bang 26,178]

what kind of spray gun? 

HVLP was super popular for years, and I don't see them anymore. 

[kmac30 416]

Curious about spray guns as well. I’ve been considering it for a couple years. So many options.

[destroya 396]

https://homesteady.com/way-6174582-diy--kitchen-cabinet-sandblasting-paint.html

pretty good article. 

[Gourmand 7,778]

4 hours ago, Spur08 said:

I did it recently in my bathroom w a spray gun. What I learned:

The most important step to not skip is proper prep work. I.e. sanding, cleaning, taping, etc.

Select the right paint to make sure it won't peel or chip after

There is a pretty good learning curve on the gun. Not too heavy, not too light.

Cleanup still sucks either way if you want to make sure that gun works next time

 

Yep, definitely understand the importance of all the prep work. Our bathroom cabinets required three coats of paint and one coat of primer. Four doors times two sides per door times sanding and cleaning before and between each coat....pain in the ass. It was not easy with roller and brush to get just the right coverage, especially along the beveled edges, without any brush marks or paint globs. I can't imagine how craptastic it would be doing an entire kitchen that way.

 

What kind of paint did you use and what spray gun? Any particular recommendation for the nozzle as well?  Did you set it up in the garage Dexter style?

[Spur08 384]

Follow The Idaho Painter on YouTube. He looks kinda douchy but he has really great videos.

I'm about to sell this house and needed to get stuff done quick and cheap. Bought the better grade SW paint from Lowes. I already had a lower pressure tip from another job so used that...310 graco green tip I think. I did set up dexter style in the garage but rest assured, that paint still gets everywhere. Also, no way you will find a ventilator right now w COVID so hope you already have one. I didnt pay attention and didnt wear it on the first coat which resulted in me tasting metal all day.

[Gourmand 7,778]

ah crap I didn't even think about the respirator mask, thanks for the reminder. I should probably just order one online to have when if I decide to jump into this project. 

[deadshank 24,654]

Don’t operate a spray rig in your house.  Don’t want enamel fumes getting into your HVAC ducts.  Garage with plenty of ventilation is good.   

[drt 645]

What he said. Brush/roll the face frames, spray the doors outside

[drt 645]

Also, if they're oak cabinets and you want to pore fill, prepare to hate your life.

[Jkwellborn 7,007]

I sanded ours down and restrained them. Fuck that noise, get a quote. I’ve got a graco x5 that I like and a graco vsp360 I haven’t used for anything yet. A lot of people recommend hvlp for kitchen stuff.
Proper prep takes time. Or your concerned about it getting in an AC duct, plastic and tape it.

[Okie State 3,888]

I used an HVLP to spray mine and they turned out pretty good. I'd spray heavier coats if I did it again. I'd also see if I could rent an airless gun like the pros use.

I went with a paint called Inslx Cabinet Coat which is owned by Benjamin Moore. Primed with Zinsser 123. They've held up pretty well over the past few years.

[Judge Roybeanbag 11,856]

Not sure if you’re in Austin but we had ours done last year, ugly oak repainted white.  Was about $2k for the kitchen, utility room and office nook, and also the bannisters on the stairs. They took off the doors and drawer faces and did them at their shop and then reinstalled them.  For reference that was like 30 cabinet doors (individual) and 10 drawers or so. 

[Okie State 3,888]

I'd pay $2K to have them done professionally. It's a shitload of work.

[deadshank 24,654]

1 hour ago, Okie State said:

I'd pay $2K to have them done professionally. It's a shitload of work.

Why didn’t you call me?

[Okie State 3,888]

Why didn’t you call me?

Ha, this was long before I was introduced to you. I'll tell you that my next house will definitely have some cabinet work to do though. Hope to get away from particle board pieces of shit.

[Gil Bang 26,178]

17 hours ago, Okie State said:

I used an HVLP to spray mine and they turned out pretty good. I'd spray heavier coats if I did it again. I'd also see if I could rent an airless gun like the pros use.

I went with a paint called Inslx Cabinet Coat which is owned by Benjamin Moore. Primed with Zinsser 123. They've held up pretty well over the past few years.

I own an airless, but I wouldn't paint cabinets with it I don't think.  

[Okie State 3,888]

I own an airless, but I wouldn't paint cabinets with it I don't think.  

Why not? Isn't that what pros use to paint trim and doors and everything else?

 

[deadshank 24,654]

Pros use airless. 

[Gil Bang 26,178]

20 minutes ago, Okie State said:

Why not? Isn't that what pros use to paint trim and doors and everything else?

 

Not really.  They paint walls and ceilings with the airless, and cut the trim in with a brush.

[Okie State 3,888]

Not really.  They paint walls and ceilings with the airless, and cut the trim in with a brush.

Maybe with remodels? When a house is being built I know for a fact at least some of them spray trim, cabinets, and doors. I can tell the trim and doors in mine were...although they did a shitty job. Ain't no way on hell they're painting that with a brush if they don't have to.

[dcbc 14,643]

I've painted a bare wood built in before.  It sucked, but here's a tip that I haven't seen mentioned.  If you're not spraying them, the trick to getting them super smooth with no brush strokes is to cut the paint with about 25% paint thinner or more.  Brush strokes and roll nap melt away and you get that super smooth as glass finish. 

Edited July 18, 2020 by dcbc

[deadshank 24,654]

Or use a frozen brush.  

[Gil Bang 26,178]

I've painted a bare wood built in before.  It sucked, but here's a tip that I haven't seen mentioned.  If you're not spraying them, the trick to getting them super smooth with no brush strokes is to cut the paint with about 25% paint thinner or more.  Brush strokes and roll nap melt away and you get that super smooth as glass finish. 

There are over the counter additives that do that as well.

[Spur08 384]

Pros used HVLP for cabinets.

[dcbc 14,643]

On 7/18/2020 at 9:25 PM, Gil Bang said:

There are over the counter additives that do that as well.

The prescription paint thinner has no substitute.

[NeverMarryAStripper 22,247]

You can get the good stuff over the counter in Mexico

[dcbc 14,643]

11 hours ago, NeverMarryAStripper said:

You can get the good stuff over the counter in Mexico

You say that in every thread . . . because it's true.

[DanRydell 799]

On 7/18/2020 at 7:32 AM, Judge Roybeanbag said:

Not sure if you’re in Austin but we had ours done last year, ugly oak repainted white.  Was about $2k for the kitchen, utility room and office nook, and also the bannisters on the stairs. They took off the doors and drawer faces and did them at their shop and then reinstalled them.  For reference that was like 30 cabinet doors (individual) and 10 drawers or so. 

Who'd you use?

[Judge Roybeanbag 11,856]

I'd have to look up the company name, the guys name was Bryce and his wife who ran the business was Denise.  They're in South Austin.  I'll check and PM you.

[Judge Roybeanbag 11,856]

42 minutes ago, DanRydell said:

Who'd you use?

I pm’d you the info.

[ShaggyBevo RIP 3,873]

Probably too late for the OP but binding primer in your friend. Just degrease and paint.  Here is my previous posting on it and pix of two kitchens I did with it-  https://www.surlyhorns.com/board/index.php?/topic/104-wives-and-the-stupid-shit-they-saydo/page/177/&tab=comments#comment-1864442

Edited September 3, 2020 by ShaggyBevo RIP

[bobcat1995 71]

Not looking to tackle a DIY cabinet painting so can anyone recommend a cabinet painter in the Dallas area?

 

 

Thanks 

[Bevo 13,831]

On 7/18/2020 at 3:52 PM, Gil Bang said:

Not really.  They paint walls and ceilings with the airless, and cut the trim in with a brush.

I consider myself a pro. I usually spray the trim - with a nice design. 

 

BTW, my neighbor in Austin used inexpensive hispanic labor and it turned out nice. I could probably find out who he used, but it would take awhile because they sold after making the renovations.

Edited March 26, 2021 by Bevo