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[geegerbee]

I was thinking of either painting or buying new kitchen cupboards. Even if I paint them, I have off-set hinges which no one uses anymore, so they can't be replaced... I looked at new cupboards but am told it is impossible to remove my 7 yr old granite countertops which I don't want to do since it would be $4000 to replace them. One contractor says he can do it, but be prepared to pay extra if they crack. Has anyone had this done?

As I said, the hinges cannot be replaced as they don't make them anymore. They show and are not hidden on the inside of the doors.They are on the outside of the cupboards. So painting the cupboards white for thousands of dollars and still having dull bronze hinges and handles won't look right. See my dilemma?

[BadWolf]

Have your cabinets refaced.  No need to remove the counter top.  

[Janey2]

@geegerbee   I wanted to replace my kitchen cabinets. I have a granite countertop. Not one person would guarantee that the countertop would not crack when replacing the cabinets. I did not want to take the chance as the countertop was very costly and is in perfect condition. What I did was reface the cabinets. I was very happy with the outcome.

[Mindy D]

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@geegerbee wrote:

I was thinking of either painting or buying new kitchen cupboards. Even if I paint them, I have off-set hinges which no one uses anymore, so they can't be replaced... I looked at new cupboards but am told it is impossible to remove my 7 yr old granite countertops which I don't want to do since it would be $4000 to replace them. One contractor says he can do it, but be prepared to pay extra if they crack. Has anyone had this done?

As I said, the hinges cannot be replaced as they don't make them anymore. They show and are not hidden on the inside of the doors.They are on the outside of the cupboards. So painting the cupboards white for thousands of dollars and still having dull bronze hinges and handles won't look right. See my dilemma?

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@geegerbee The hinges can be painted the same color as the cabinets. A special primer and paint is used.

[Snowpuppy]

Are your hinges bronze that developed patina or brass that's just dirty?  If they're brass you can use Brasso to clean them.

Looking to replace them I would shop eBay or do a search for replacements. You can find restoration items like brass switch plates, glass doorknobs and drawer pulls that are original or reproduction.

[bargainsgirl]

I have granite as well with a Silpate sink.  The sink is only 4 years old but it showing pitting.  (2 friends have the same sink and no pitting!)  I got a lemon.  I called the installer for my countertop to see if the sink could be replaced down the road.  He said yes BUT he cannot guarantee the granite won't crack.  So...no sink replacement.  Hoping the sink company comes up with a sealer or something because I have read LOTS of complaints from others with the same problem.  

i say resurface your cupboards or maybe just replace the upper ones.  So many looks are in vogue now!

[DecorDiva]

@geegerbee  - I had a similar situation.  I had the old, copper, hammered look hinges on the outside of my cabinet doors.  I had an expert carpenter replace them with hinges that showed the barrel part of the hinges on the outside, and the remainder of the hinges on the inside.  In order to do this he had to reduce the width of the cabinet doors.  Before he reinstalled I painted the cupboards.  I have a lot of cabinets so replacement was not an option.  I was very happy with the results.

[gneegirl]

Oh so happy to see this topic - I have the same problem. I didn't change cabinets when I had the granite and new appliances installed because the cabinets (here when I move in) were expensive custom.  It was cost prohibitve to replace them at the time.  I look at them now and wonder what I was thinking back then. I should have just replaced them. Thanks for posting this question - good to see these options. 

[Still Raining]

If painting is your option, couldn't the holes be filled in and painted over?  Then you could start fresh with your choice of hinges.

[geegerbee]

The problem is that the hinges are showing on the outside of the cabinet doors. You can't just remove them and put the hinges inside. As a poster just said, her cupboard doors had to be made smaller and the hinges specially made to fit since you can't buy outside hinges anymore. That sounds costly---handmaking hinges for my 18 cubpoards if I could even find someone to do that.