Painting your kitchen cabinets is one of the biggest updates you can make to a home for a fraction of what new cabinets cost. Perfection Painting Pros paints kitchen and bathroom cabinets across the Charlotte area, and after more than 15 years of painting homes, we know the difference between a cabinet finish that lasts and one that chips in a year comes down to the prep.
Why Cabinet Painting Is Different From Wall Painting
Cabinets get handled every day. They are touched by greasy hands, wiped down constantly and bumped by pots and chairs. Paint will not grip a glossy, greasy surface on its own, so a cabinet job takes far more preparation than a wall. Done right, painted cabinets look smooth and factory-like and hold up for years. Done wrong, they peel at the edges and around the handles.
How We Paint Cabinets
- We remove doors, drawers and hardware and label everything so it goes back in the right place
- Every surface is degreased and cleaned, since kitchen grease is the main cause of peeling
- We degloss and sand to give the primer something to grip
- A bonding primer goes on, including on hard-to-paint surfaces like laminate and previously stained wood
- Gaps and nail holes are filled and caulked
- We apply durable cabinet-grade enamel in thin, even coats for a smooth finish
- Doors and drawers are reinstalled with your existing or new hardware
Painting Oak and Older Cabinets
Many Charlotte homes still have oak cabinets from the 1980s and 1990s. Oak has an open grain that shows through paint. We can fill the grain for a smooth, modern look or leave some texture if you prefer it. Either way, oak cabinets are some of the best candidates for painting because the boxes are usually solid and only the color and finish are dated.
Choosing Cabinet Colors
White and off-white are still the most popular, but painted islands, two-tone kitchens and deeper colors like navy and green are common now. We help you pick a color that works with your countertops, floors and wall color, and we recommend a sheen that is easy to clean.
Cabinet Painting vs Replacement
If your cabinet boxes are solid and the layout works, painting gets you most of the look of new cabinets for much less money and with far less disruption. Replacement makes more sense if the boxes are water damaged or falling apart, or if you want to change the layout. We will tell you honestly which one fits your kitchen.
Cabinet painting is often part of a bigger update. We also offer kitchen and bathroom renovations and interior painting so the whole room can be done together. Our work is backed by a 1-year warranty, and you don’t pay until the job is complete and you’re satisfied.
Cabinet Painting FAQs
How long does cabinet painting take?
Most kitchens take about a week depending on the number of doors and drawers and the drying time between coats.
Can I use my kitchen while you paint the cabinets?
Usually yes, with some limits. Doors and drawers are painted separately, and we keep the kitchen as usable as possible.
Can you paint bathroom vanities too?
Yes. Bathroom vanities and built-ins are painted with the same process as kitchen cabinets.
How do I care for painted cabinets?
Wipe them with a soft cloth and mild soap, and avoid harsh scrubbers for the first few weeks while the finish fully cures.
Get a Cabinet Painting Estimate
We paint cabinets throughout Charlotte, Ballantyne, SouthPark, Matthews, Waxhaw, Weddington, Marvin, Fort Mill and Indian Land. Call 704-200-4268 or request a free estimate.