skip to main content

Painted Cabinets (factory painted, not self paint)

14 years ago

We are in the early planning stages of a large scale addition that will include an approx 18 x 18 kitchen. Hubby and I both like the look of a "white" kitchen with dark counters and dark wood floors. We moved into this house 2 years ago with an "updated" kitchen with white thermafoil cabs, yellow laminate counters, and vinyl parquait flooring. We swapped out the counters for a steel blue zodiac stone and put down wide-plank dark stained pergo. We really like the look and want to keep something similar in the redo. I am hesitant to go with thermafoil because even though our current cabs looks great for their age, I still think thermafoil in general is "cheap" looking and not really consistent with what we want. Also, our local big box stores carry very cheap looking Thermafoil cabs. We are not sure where these ones came from, but they are obviously not the ones available at Lowes or HD. Lowes sells Kraftmaid and I must admit, even though I have heard horror stories about Kraftmaid, I have also seen some nice kitchens with some of their lines. I love the look of their painted "white" woods (not really true white) especially the canvas and biscotti. HOWEVER, we have 5 young kids and our house has taken a LOT of use and abuse in the two years we have lived here. We have a black painted round table in the kitchen that the kids eat quick meals on. Granted it is a cheaply made and cheaply finished table from Target, but the black paint is all but worn off in several areas and it looks awful. I am sure a lot of it could be remedied if hubby had sealed it with poly like I asked him to before we used it, but alas his free time is non-existent. He is worried that a painted cabinet will end up looking like this table in no time with our children. Can people with painted kitchen cabinets comment on their durability? Can you let me know the brand as well? we found a local cabinet maker who will do custom cabinets for a very reasonable price, but we are worried that his painted finish won't be as durable as a commercially applied one. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comment (1)

plllog
14 years ago
It's really easy to rub stain into a scratch on a wood door and make it hardly noticeable. I decided against paint for my new kitchen without any children (much less five under five!) and no animals, because I knew there would be scratches and I knew I wouldn't like the resulting "patina".

You can paint out scratches a bit, but it's hard with a factory paint job. Factory paint is more durable than brushed paint, but brushed paint is easier to "fix".

So... how much do you like the white vs. how much do you hate bumps and scratches? Would you ever consider something as unstylish as melamine? As expensive as lacquer?

Do you expect to move or redo your kitchen by the time your kids are in their teens? Or when they're out of the house? Or do you expect this kitchen to survive their childhood?
Related Discussions
How to paint new factory painted kitchen cabinets?
Q
Comments (1)
I think you mean HVLP (High velocity low pressure). You really don't need to strip them if you are just painting over the existing paint. Liquid sandpaper is for lazy people who don't want to sand...it's like cheating and your results may not be as good unless you really sand. The idea is to dull the sheen some to promote adhesion of the new paint.
...See More
Finish for white cabs: factory or hand painted?
Q
Comments (10)
I've had both: in a previous house I painted our cabinets (I really spent my time doing the prep and painting) and in this house we have a catalyzed lacquer finish. Our cabinets were made by a local custom cabinetmaker (who had the cabinets painted) and they have a low sheen (I didn't want any gloss). Maybe it's a satin finish? Anyway, so it's funny, because in the short time we've had this kitchen we've had a number of dings, all by the appliance installers and floor crew! None by my children, my pets, my husband or myself. Go figure. The cabinetmaker gave us touch-up paint for the dings but I haven't touched them up yet. They're small and I have to really look for them, plus I'm lazy. In the kitchen where I painted, even though I did a good job there were dings, and those were from us (just my husband and me -- hadn't had children yet). But you know what? That was back in 2001 and paints have changed a lot since then! If I had to do it now, I think I'd go with Benjamin Moore Impervo or Cabinet Coat. Have you seen pirula's kitchen? She hand painted her kitchens and has written that she's had no problems with the paint holding up. Or bayareafrancy's in-progress (of being painted) kitchen? She's using the BM Impervo, and it's painting like a dream. We have wainscoting and trim which is painted with the BM Impervo and I can tell you how terrifically well it holds up to scrubbing! No burnishing -- it's amazing. I have sticky fingered children, plus my youngest likes to draw with chalk / pens (when I'm not looking, that is) and again, it comes off the BM Impervo painted surfaces just like that! But I have a harder time getting it off the catalyzed lacquer finished cabinetry. Anyway, so based on my experiences, I think both can be really durable, but with one you get a "hand made" appearance (paint), and with the other, you get a really smooth, even finish. It depends on what you're ultimately after for your kitchen.
...See More
Where to send cabinet doors for a 'factory' quality paint finish?
Q
Comments (3)
I moved to CA over a year ago and I notice that the hard water here causes more wear in kitchens and bathrooms than usual. I have been living in apartments with cheap cabinets for many years in other states and never notice this kind of wear like you get in CA. When we bought a 12 year old townhouse here, the cabinets all showed lots of water damage. Now I am getting new cabinets from Durasupreme and hopefully I can keep it looking new.
...See More
Paying for Factory-Painted steel front door VS paint it myself?
Q
Comments (5)
Thing is, every blog post I've seen where the door ends up looking great the doors are wood. The doors I need to replace are also wood and I would just paint them myself if I planned on keeping them but they're no longer energy efficient and I'm in Canada. It just seems silly to charge $300 extra for one-sided color. Plus I know I'll end-up painting the thing on the interior - or shelling more $$$$
...See More

Related Stories

LOFTS Houzz Interview: Eve's Renovated Candy Factory Loft

PAINTING What to Know About Milk Paint and Chalk Paint — and How to Use Them

By Karen Egly-Thompson

Learn the pros, cons, cost and more for these two easy-to-use paints that are great for giving furniture a vintage look

MOST POPULAR From the Pros: How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets

By Vanessa Brunner

Want a major new look for your kitchen or bathroom cabinets on a DIY budget? Don't pick up a paintbrush until you read this

KITCHEN CABINETS Kitchen Cabinet Color: Should You Paint or Stain?

By Ventana Construction LLC

Learn about durability, looks, cost and more for wooden cabinet finishes to make the right choice for your kitchen

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Recipes: Factory Cart Inspires a Dream Cooking Space

By Mary Jo Bowling

These homeowners' kitchen was almost nonexistent, so they whipped it up from scratch. See what they cook there and get the recipe too

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Converted Pennsylvania Pretzel Factory

These DIY-savvy Pennsylvania homeowners turned a cinder-block shell into a vibrant neighborhood gathering place

LOFTS 5 Innovative Ideas From a Live-Work Space in a Converted Toy Factory

By Annie Thornton

Driven by a tight budget, architects get creative in transforming a couple’s work-focused loft in downtown Los Angeles

GREEN BUILDING Houzz Tour: Pickle Factory Now an Energy-Wise Live-Work Space

By Carol Crotta

A charming but poorly insulated 1880s Philadelphia commercial building becomes a spacious energy-efficient home and studio

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Open-Plan Living in a Converted Shoe-Factory Condo

By Esther Hershcovich

International furnishings and artwork bring flair to a serene and neutral 1-bedroom in Quebec

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Takes Off in a Former Aircraft Parts Factory

By Natalie Wain

Generous storage and clever carpentry transform a cluttered kitchen into a sleek, minimalist living space with an eclectic heart

Sponsored

More Discussions

I’m already over it. This kitchen trend is everywhere and overdone.

109

kitchen cabinet hardware

2

mitered edge for danby marble island countertop

6

Do workstation sinks and marble countertops mix

1

wide double under mount stainless sink

1