Stephen Anderson
Table of Contents
If your kitchen or bathroom cabinets are looking worn and dated, a fresh coat of paint can make them look brand new again. But should you tackle painting the cabinets yourself or hire a professional? As someone who has both DIYed and hired out for cabinet painting projects, I’ll walk you through the pros, cons, preparation, and costs to consider.
Painting cabinets can save thousands over a full replacement. But there are risks of ending up with a subpar finish if you don’t prep properly or lack the skills. Read on for my tips to help you decide if DIY or pro is the best route for your cabinet paint job.
Assess the Scope of Your Cabinet Painting Project
Before deciding on DIY vs. pro, carefully consider the scope of the project:
Type and Condition of Cabinets
What material are your cabinets made of? Veneer, solid wood, thermofoil, laminate? What condition are they in? Damaged or intact? The existing material and condition will impact prep work needed.
Painting Cabinet Boxes and Doors
Will you paint inside cabinet boxes and drawers or just exterior doors and frames? Interior painting is trickier.
Built-in Cabinets or Furniture
Is this a full kitchen or just a cabinet run? Built-ins and furniture may require more finesse to paint.
Staining vs. Painting
Staining over existing stain is easier than painting stained or laminate cabinets. Painting requires extensive sanding and priming.
Factor the project scope into your DIY vs. pro decision-making process.
Cabinets DIY Painting – The Pros and Cons
Painting your own kitchen or bathroom cabinets can save thousands over replacement. But it requires diligent prep work, patience, and DIY skills.
Pros of DIY Cabinet Painting
Cost savings – Buying supplies and painting yourself is significantly cheaper than hiring a pro.
Custom look – You can pick any paint color and finish to match your personal style.
Sense of accomplishment – DIYing a paint project feels rewarding once you see the finished result.
Cons of DIY Cabinet Painting
Labor-intensive – Properly prepping and painting cabinets takes a lot of time and elbow grease.
Learning curve – There may be a frustrating learning curve if you’ve never painted cabinets before.
Risk of mistakes – Messing up prep work or paint application could lead to a finish that lacks professional quality.
Hassle – The painting process can be messy and disruptive to daily home life.
Imperfect finishes – Achieving a smooth, consistent finish takes skill that comes with practice.
Weigh these pros and cons when deciding if you want to DIY or hire a professional painter.
Hiring a Pro for Cabinet Painting
Hiring an experienced professional to paint your cabinets ensures a high-quality paint job, but comes at a higher cost.
Pros of Hiring a Cabinet Painting Contractor
Expert results – They have the skills and equipment to prep, paint, and finish cabinets like a pro.
Efficiency – A crew of painters works faster than a DIYer to minimize disruption.
Peace of mind – Your cabinets will be handled with the utmost care from start to finish.
Warranties – Professional painters often provide workmanship warranties for services.
Cons of Hiring a Cabinet Painting Contractor
Higher cost – Professional painting quotes range from $2,000-$5,000 for an average kitchen.
Scheduling delays – Reputable pros may be booked weeks or months out.
Preferences compromised – You get less input over paint brands and colors used.
Strangers in your home – Some people feel uncomfortable having workers in their living space.
Carefully weigh the pros and cons before deciding whether to paint cabinets yourself or hire a professional service.
Assessing Your Skills and Commitment for DIY
Be honest about your skill level and commitment before deciding to paint cabinets yourself. Ask yourself:
Have you painted cabinets before? There is a learning curve. Previous experience is a plus.
Are you willing to dedicate days of time? Proper prep and painting is labor intensive. It could take 10-20 days depending on scope.
Can you tolerate some mess and disruption? The process involves dust, fumes, and clutter. Be prepared to have your kitchen or bath out of commission.
Do you have patience for imperfections? Achieving a pro-level smooth finish takes practice and diligence.
If you don’t have the DIY skills, time, or patience, hiring a pro may be worth the added expense.
Doing a Cost Comparison of DIY vs. Professional
Dollar for dollar, you’ll spend significantly less on supplies to paint cabinets yourself versus paying a professional’s labor fees. But don’t forget to factor the value of your time and effort, too.
Typical DIY Cabinet Painting Costs
- Supplies – $100 to $300
- Your time – 50+ hours
- Total – $300 to $800
Typical Professional Cabinet Painting Costs
- Contractor fees – $2000 to $5000
- Your time – 5 to 10 hours
- Total- $2000 to $5000
DIY provides massive cost savings if you can nail the technique. Hiring a pro costs exponentially more but saves you time and hassle. Determine what your time, sanity, and desired results are worth.
Key Prep Steps for DIY Cabinet Painting
To achieve professional-looking results, don’t cut corners on prep when painting cabinets yourself. Proper prep is 90% of the work!
Cleaning and Deglossing
Clean thoroughly using TSP substitute and scuff sand to degloss. Wipe away all grease, grime, and residue.
Sanding and Scraping
Sand until completely smooth and scrape away any loose paint or finish.
Filling Holes and Imperfections
Fill any cracks, holes, and dents with wood filler for a flawless finished surface.
Priming
Use oil-based primer for laminate cabinets or another appropriate primer for wood. Priming is mandatory!
Masking and Drop Cloths
Use painter’s tape and drop cloths to protect surrounding surfaces from drips and splatters.
Rushing through prep work will compromise the end results. Take your time on each prep step before painting cabinetry yourself.
Tips for DIY Paint Application Like a Pro
Once your cabinets are fully prepped, use these techniques to apply cabinet paint like an expert would:
Lightly Sand Between Coats
Gently sand each coat before applying the next for maximum adhesion.
Brush First, Then Roll
Use an angled brush to cut in edges and corners first, then roll larger surfaces.
Maintain a Wet Edge
Maintain a wet edge as you paint so lap marks don’t appear as you progress.
Inspect in Proper Lighting
Work in bright, natural light to ensure complete and even coverage as you paint.
Back Brush When Spraying
Always back brush after spraying paint to fill in gaps and create an ultra smooth finish.
Apply Multiple Thin Coats
Applying several thin coats creates a more flawless finish than one thick coat of paint.
Use proper paint application techniques to get professional-looking painted cabinets in your DIY project.
FAQs About DIY Cabinet Painting
What kind of paint should I use to refinish cabinets?
High quality cabinet paint such as Emerald Urethane, Advance, and ProClassic provide a durable and smooth factory-like finish.
Is it okay to paint over laminate cabinets?
Yes, you can paint over laminate cabinets with proper sanding and priming using primer formulated for slick surfaces.
Do I need to take cabinet doors off before painting?
Removing doors makes painting easier by allowing you to fully access cabinet boxes and eliminates the need for masking.
Can I spray paint my cabinets for a smooth finish?
Spraying cabinet paint with an HVLP sprayer can provide the smoothest possible finish if you have spraying experience.
How do I achieve an antique, worn, or distressed painted cabinet look?
After painting, you can gently sand edges or entire surfaces, then wipe on glaze, gel stain, or other products to create antique effects.
Key Takeaways
- Carefully assess the scope of your cabinet painting project before deciding between DIY or hiring a pro.
- Weigh the pros and cons of each option and compare costs realistically.
- Be honest about your skills, time commitment, and tolerance for imperfections in a DIY project.
- Don’t cut corners on prep work like cleaning, sanding, filling, and priming before painting cabinets.
- Use painting tips like sanding between coats, maintaining a wet edge, and back brushing for best DIY results.
- Consider your budget, abilities, and desired outcome carefully in making your DIY vs pro decision.
With realistic planning and proper practices, you may be able to achieve stunning painted cabinets without blowing your budget. Just don’t underestimate the preparation and technique needed to get professional-looking finishes. Analyze the project scope, your skills and commitment, costs, and required process to make the right choice between do-it-yourself or hiring a painting pro to refinish your cabinets beautifully.
