Yes, it's a problem. Paint doesn't stick to metal without a lot of work and the right paint. And it can goo up the works. If they took that shortcut, there's no telling what other shortcuts that they took. Can you describe the process that they used from start to finish? I'd be concerned that they skipped steps in prep. After all, it's the long boring prep that's more important than the painting itself.

If you can't describe all of the steps that they did, I'll be happy to give you a list for you to compare.

GreenDesigns...could you provide the list for the rest of us?

Thanks!

Here is how I would expect a pro to spray paint kitchen cabinets. A brush painted job would differ slightly in that you wouldn't hang the doors to paint. You'd place them on a work table or easel instead. It's time intensive work, and should take 7-14 days to accomplish completely and cost between 3K-7K depending on kitchen size and amount of detail in cabinets.

Remove doors and drawer fronts.
Remove hinges and hardware.
Clean with TSP (tri-sodium phosphate)
Rinse and let dry.
Scrape any loose finish.
Fill any damaged spots or hardware holes that won't be reused.
Sand fill smooth.
Scuff sand the rest.
Tack off dust.
Hang in dust free paint booth with wires through hardware points.
Tack off dust again.
Spray with alkyd based primer.
Scuff sand again.
Tack off dust.
Spray with second coat of primer.
Spray with first finish coat of latex enamel.
Spray with second coat of latex.
If glazing is to occur, that is next.
Spray with conversion varnish.
(If being brush painted, this step is typically skipped.)

Add more molding or decorative details to boxes, filling nail holes and sanding smooth.

Repeat prep process with face frames and exposed cabinet sides using plastic to create a spray booth on site. If interiors are to be done, they are done before face frames and sides. Interiors are difficult, and add both time and expense to the job.

Allow everything to fully cure.
Clean hinges and hardware and clear coat if you're keeping the old hardware.
Install new (or old) hinges and hardware.
Re-install doors and drawers and adjust for proper clearances.

If you are receiving a job without this amount of effort, then you are not receiving a quality professional job.

Great list, Green! How long does it typically take sprayed latex to cure?

Paint curing time is directly affected by the paint used, the humidity in the air, and the amount of air circulation. You can expect latex to cure enough to rehang within 72 hours if the conditions are right. The cure time for "hard use" will take anywhere from a week to 30 days. There's a lot of variation, and you should always test touch a less visible spot on the back of one of your doors to judge in person.

If a pro is using a spray booth, it's possible to get fully cured paint/topcoat within 48 hours if he uses heat lamps and UV curing to assist him. Many of these products are tightly regulated anymore, so this can vary greatly depending on your location throughout the US.

As always, it's best to interview the painters you are considering for their time estimates and past experiences in your locale.

CapeGirl, would you please post a picture of your newly-painted cabinets? What color did you go with? I'm still doing the search for the perfect soft white, and would love to see yours! Thanks

ecf1216...I am still learning how to post pictures...Right now the cabinets are wrapped as the painters will be painting the walls, starting tomorrow. Here is my very short list of creamy whites:
Pratt & Lambert - Silver Lining ***I have used it a lot over the past 10 years...it is an awesome trim color and tends to go with any color.
BM-Affinity-Paper Mache
BM-Cotton Balls
BM-Creamy (a little too yellow for me but it is a very popular trim color)
HTH...and I will post pictures when I can!

Capegirl

Capegirl, maybe this will help with posting photos:

Read the directions, especially about size, but the short version is:

1. Open a Photobucket or Flicker or whatever freebie photo storing site you like. I randomly chose Photobucket and it's really easy to work with.

2. Load your photos from your camera onto your computer. From Photobucket (or wherever), hit the "upload" button and follow the directions.

3. When you mouse over one of your stored photos a box comes up with a list of things like "direct link," "html code," and "image code." The one you want to click on is "direct link." It begins with "http://"; and ends with ".jpg"

4. Whenever you want to place a photo in a post, you type in this script:

<img src="Your URL location here" </img>

Paste the direct link address you copied from your photo between the quotation marks (replacing "Your URL location here").

5. If you want to use a photo from somewhere else on the net, click on the photo and a list comes up which includes "copy image location." Click that to copy and proceed as above.

Good luck!

Capegirl, thanks for the white paint info!