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[coffee drinker]

Anyone who has had their kitchen cabinets painted, please note the experience you had.  Happy it was done, disappointed and wish you never had it done?  I'm very serious about getting mine done.  I have typical builders grade cabinets in a wood-tone finish and they're 15 years old.  They seem to make the kitchen so dark.  I've got someone coming tomorrow to give me info on what will be done, etc.  The contractor has been highly recommended and I've seen the work he has done.  Just gorgeous.  His price was less than I thought which surprised me.  

Comments, please.

[Mom2Dogs]

@coffee drinker. My cupboards were  30+years old...dark stain.  Last year I had them professionally painted to an off white, I am happy with the results, they clean easily and I have only had to touch 1 spot (very small). The kitchen is much brighter.

The person that did ours took off all the fronts and took them to his shop - cleaned, sanded, primed, painted them....he had to spray the fronts of the shells in place.  It was messy but to be expected.

Make sure if you have a grain the painter feels confident that he can cover the grain with the paint...mine look pretty good.  Also if there are any flaws they will show up.  I noticed on one of the side panels the wood was really worn and the bottom edge.... and I should have had him fill and sand that area but did not think about it until the kitchen was done.

I do notice where the cupboards come together in a couple of spots - (the seam)...but my house was built in the early 70's and there has been some settling.  Overall we were pleased.

Make sure you get to keep any left over paint, you might need to touch up a spot or two. 

[Desertdi]

My cabinets (unfortunately) are NOT wood.   They need to be replaced, and I no longer can handle "the mess" that would make...

[haddon9]

I have not had my cabinets painted but have thought about having it done. I'm sure theprofessionals do a great job! I would ask about a warranty, etc.

Last year we had some work done on the house. One thing that was done was the spare bedroom which I made into my office. I had a contractor do everything except paint an old bookcase which I did before he came. It was a dark wood stained bookcase that I painted white.  I used paint designed for cabinets and it came out great!!

I even tried to scratch the finish in a spot that is hidden and it's next to impossible for it to scratch!!!  I'm sure the pros will use scratch resistant paint, etc.

It will feel like a new kitchen!!

[Janey2]

@coffee drinker @Did you consider refacing the cabinets?

[Carmie]

My kitchen cherry wood kitchen cabinets were new when we built our home in 1988.  They still are in great condition and I still like them.  I plan to replace the hardware which is old and not so great looking any more.

I did paint a large double oak vanity in the bathroom my kids used.  It was pretty rough looking.  I wanted to get a new one, but couldn't find the size and height I needed.

I cleaned it with TSP first, then sanded it down.  I applied two coats of primer and three thin coats of paint.  After that, I used polyurethane to seal it.  I was careful..removed all the hardware, drawers and doors and let each coat dry throughly.

That was about 10 years ago.  The paint still looks fresh with no chips, staining or rubbed spots.  I am happy with the way it turned out.

I have seen painted vanities and kitchen cabinets that were done professionally and after a few years they need repainted.

Painted cabinets are great only if done right.  If they are not sealed correctly, the paint will be subject to moisture and chip off, wear thin, or get sticky.

My hobby is refinishing old furniture.  I have been doing it for years. It's been trial and error.  IMO, it's only worth doing if it's done right...or else you're wasting your money.

[Pecky]

I had mine painted two years ago and love the way they came out.  They were oak and I went with a creamy white.  They took off the cabinet doors and took them to their shop as it is a few step process.  While they were doing that, they had someone come over to paint everything else.  They clean very easily.  I even had my three bathroom cabinets painted. 

[NYCLatinaMe]

Hi @coffee drinker 

I have not had my cabinets painted but I know others who have had them done and have been happy.

My reason for comment is just about color.  Many parts of my apartment were re-done in white.  I wish I had my brown wood cabinets back.  (My walls were and continue to be eggshell and other shades of white.) White is very stark, and wood adds warmth, as in comfort, welcoming.

For what it's worth, I think wood colors are coming back into fashion and white is going away.

Good luck with your project!

[Puppy Lips]

@NYCLatinaMe I love my real wood cabinets and would never paint them, as they are beautiful.  But painted cabinets look nice too if they are done right.  If yours are yucky, this may be a good solution.  It seems like white cabinets are everywhere.  To me, they remind me of a laboratory or hospital.  Good luck with your decision and project.

[stevieb]

There have been several threads on this topic over the years and my comments are always the same, by all means paint them if you want to. There is absolutely nothing sacrosanct about wooden cabinets unless they happen to be antiques in excellent condition. BUT, be sure that whoever paints them knows what they're doing, prepares the surfaces properly so that paint does not chip and seals them after the last coat of paint, assuming the paint used requires sealing. I have had older cabinets painted in two different residences and in both instances, it improved them greatly.