Painting your kitchen or bathroom cabinets can modernize a room faster than any other upgrade. Color trends change over time, so the dark wood-colored cabinets that you once fell in love with may need an upgrade. Are your cabinets in good condition? Good, because cabinets are expensive. Instead of buying new ones, give Hillis Brothers a call to refinish and repaint your cabinets.
Cabinet Painting: Things We Keep In Mind
1. Prep
Proper preparation is the foundation of a successful cabinet painting project. We follow a seven-step cabinet painting prep process at Hillis Brothers. This gives us the best chance of doing a proper paint job.
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Remove Hardware: Start by removing cabinet knobs, handles, and any hardware. This ensures a clean and even paint application.
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Clean Thoroughly: Clean cabinet surfaces with a degreaser to remove built-up grime, grease, and dirt. A clean surface promotes better paint adhesion.
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Sand: Lightly sand the cabinet surfaces to create a slightly rough texture for the paint to grip onto. Focus on any glossy or uneven areas.
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Fill Imperfections: Fill any cracks, holes, or dents with wood filler. Once dry, sand these areas smooth.
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Prime: Apply a high-quality primer specifically designed for cabinets. Primer enhances adhesion and prevents stains or wood tannins from bleeding through.
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Protect Surroundings: Cover countertops, floors, and appliances with drop cloths or plastic sheets to prevent paint splatters.
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Masking: Use painter's tape to mask off areas you don't want to paint, like adjacent walls or interiors of the cabinets.
2. Use The Right Kind Of Paint
Cabinets endure a lot of wear and tear in the kitchen, so the paint needs to be durable and long-lasting. Oil-based paint is a good option for cabinets because it's durable and easy to clean. Keep in mind that oil-based paints are higher in VOCs (volatile organic compounds). If that bothers you, consider using water-based acrylic paint tends to have lower VOCs and many of the same benefits.
Here's what you'll consider when choosing a paint:
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Cabinet Material: Choose a paint that adheres well to wood surfaces. For laminate cabinets, use a primer specifically designed for laminates to ensure proper adhesion. Paint
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Finish: Semi-gloss and high-gloss finishes are popular for cabinets because they're easy to clean and provide a smooth, shiny appearance. However, if you prefer a matte or satin finish, ensure it's scrubbable and durable.
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Paint Type: Water-based acrylic paints are a common choice due to their low VOC content, quick drying time, and easy cleanup. Oil-based paints offer exceptional durability but have a longer drying time and emit more fumes, so proper ventilation is crucial.
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Primer: Always use a high-quality primer before painting cabinets. It helps the paint adhere better and provides a smoother finish. Choose a primer that matches the type of paint you'll be using.
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Color: Some paints are more prone to yellowing over time, especially white or light-colored paints. Look for paints labeled as non-yellowing or specifically formulated for cabinets if you're using light colors.
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Brand and Quality: Invest in a reputable paint brand known for its durability and quality. High-quality paint may be more expensive, but it ensures a longer-lasting and more professional finish.
3. Choose The Right Colors
Choosing the right kitchen cabinet paint colors is crucial for transforming your kitchen's appearance. Since cabinets dominate kitchen spaces, their color greatly influences the overall look.
Several factors should guide your choice.
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Consider your kitchen's size and lighting; smaller or dimly lit kitchens benefit from warmer hues like white, gray, cream, or beige, while larger, well-lit spaces can handle bolder shades like navy blue or red.
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Coordinate your cabinet color with your walls, countertops, and backsplash, aiming for a balanced palette.
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The color of your kitchen floor should be within three shades of your cabinet color, although it can vary. Cabinet colors should also match your kitchen's style; warm greens work well with natural wood elements, and matte gray cabinets offer a modern touch. Experiment with vibrant shades or gold accents for a unique look.
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Your long-term plans and personal style also influence your choice. For permanent homes, classic white or neutrals are safe bets, while non-traditional options like two-toned cabinets or color blocking can add personality.
Ultimately, your kitchen's color scheme should reflect your taste and create a cohesive aesthetic. Happy painting!
4. Invest In Proper Materials
One of the biggest differences between a professional painter and a DIYer is the quality of tools used.
We don’t just show up with a bucket and a brush. In fact, we have hundreds of tools to our disposal that we may or may not need (but it’s always nice to have).
These are things like step-ladders, roller extenders, roller cages, and sprayers.
Not only will the right tools save us time, but they’ll allow us to get the job done correctly.
Cabinet Painting: Things We Keep In Mind
At Hillis Brothers Painting, we have found through experience that a systematic approach helps us to deliver the quality job that we have promised you. Below are the general steps we will take on your project. Your situation may vary depending upon your needs.
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Set-up
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Surface Preparation
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Paint
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Clean
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Inspect
Why Choose Hillis Brothers Painting
We’ll work hard to solve any issues that may come up, and we are always professional and easy to work with. With all our care and attention to detail, Hillis Brothers is the perfect choice for all your cabinet painting needs! We can repaint your dated kitchen or bathroom cabinets and transform them into a modern and sleek cabinet. We are meticulous in our work, punctual, and clean. When it comes to picking the right colors for your cabinets, our design team is unmatched.
Our Cabinet Painting Work
We Do Cabinet Painting in the Following Areas
We serve Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Kentwood, Holland, Grandville, Cascade, Ada, Caledonia, Alto, East Grand Rapids, Byron Center, Hudsonville, Jenison, Zeeland, Spring Lake, Grand Haven, West Olive, Rockford, Walker, Comstock Park, Forest Hills, Jamestown, Lowell, Cannonsburg, Dorr, Allendale, Standale, Muskegon, Belding, Belmont, Cedar Springs, Gains Township, Cutlerville, Sparta, Marne, Nunica, Norton Shores, and Saugatuck.
If you would like to inquire if we service your area, please call (616) 554-5140).