Factory paint versus local guy builds/paints cabs

16 years ago

For a kitchen planned with part painted (ivory) and part stained cabinets: considering both a kitchen place that would supply factory cabinets (Omega? P&F?) Also considering a local furniture/cabinet custom builder. There are many dimensions to the decision. But one of the key factors is the finish: factory versus painted here by the local guy, for both the painted and the stained elements. Which way am I likely to get a better, more durable finish? Please help me or point me if this has been discussed already. I posted a similar question on the Paint forum. I'm sure there are many factors I'm not even aware of . . . .

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Comments (4)

lynninnewmexico
16 years ago
We had this problem arise with our last kitchen. We had all the cabs custom built by a local cabinetmaker; pine with a whitewashed finish on them. The color faded, yellowed and rubbed off very quickly. Over the next seven years, we talked with many experts in the fields of paint, construction, cabinetmaking,insurance claims, etc., in conjunction with the lawsuit we filed (because the cabs were falling apart and off the walls, not because of the fading, though). We were told over and over again that factory paint finishes are much harder and more durable. The experts we talked with did say that the expertise of the cabinetmaker, which clear sealer he puts over the painted finish and how many coats he puts on does impact the durbility a lot, but their opinions all still went with the factory finish as being the hardest and most durable. For this new kitchen we just had put in, there was never a question which we'd go with . . . but that was very much colored by the nightmare cabs we had before.
california_dreamer
16 years ago
Where are you located? In California there are many restrictions and environmental regulations that limit what your local guy can use when finishing your cabinets. For example, they cannot use polyuerethene. I have custom cabinets (some painted and some stained). I am happy overall, but I'm not sure the finish is as durable as a "factory" finish.
I would check with the specific cabinet maker to find out what they use and what kind of warranty they have.
Good luck!
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Brushing or rolling on the paint will NOT have the same sheen and look as sprayed on paint. However, if you have full overlay cabinets, the only time that you will even see the frames is with the doors open, so your comfort level with that is a judgement call. However, your painter should be perfectly comfortable using an HVLP spray gun on site. It has very little overspray, and you'd only need to mask off the counters and adjacent walls and turn off anything that moves air like ceiling fans or AC's. The plastic at the entrances is more to keep out people and keep in the bit of fumes than it is to prevent garbage in the finish. It's not a big deal to do HVLP, and it's what I would expect from a pro rather than a brush job. For the uppers too. I wouldn't spend the extra money on removing them for shop spraying if the room is plasticed off properly to do the lowers. Leave all of the boxes in place and just move the appliances out of the room for a temp kitchen, and make the whole kitchen a spray booth. If he doesn't own a portable air compressor, then it's time to invest in one!
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svwillow1
16 years ago
It is difficult and costly for a small shop to meet all the OSHA and environmental regulations that some of the more durable finishes require. It is one of the major reasons that many small cabinet companies that use to make their own, now sell and install "factory" cabinets.
sayde
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the input. I really appreciate it. A related question is: difference between stained and painted. I know that stained will be more durable but am wondering whether to give up on painted. Will post separately on this. Meanwhile would welcome additional inputs.

Factory paint versus local guy builds/paints cabs

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lynninnewmexico

california_dreamer

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Factory paint versus local guy builds/paints cabs

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lynninnewmexico

california_dreamer

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saydeOriginal Author

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