What prep work goes into painting cabinets properly and can I do any of it myself to save money?

Proper prep is the single most important factor in a cabinet paint job that looks great and lasts for years. Professional cabinet painters in Metro Vancouver follow a multi-step process that typically includes removing all doors, drawer fronts, and hardware, then labelling everything so it goes back in the right place. The surfaces are cleaned with a strong degreaser like TSP to remove years of cooking grease, fingerprint oils, and grime that build up on kitchen cabinets. After cleaning, the surfaces are sanded to create a profile for the primer to grip. On previously stained or varnished cabinets, this usually means 150 to 220 grit sanding. Any dents, scratches, or holes from old hardware are filled with wood filler and sanded smooth. Then a high-adhesion primer is applied before the topcoat goes on. As for doing some of this yourself, the most practical thing homeowners can handle is removing hardware, emptying cabinets, and labelling doors. Some homeowners also take on the degreasing step, which saves the painter an hour or two. However, sanding, filling, and especially priming are best left to the professionals because mistakes at those stages directly affect how well the paint adheres and how long the finish lasts. Incorrect sanding can leave scratches that show through the paint, and using the wrong primer can lead to peeling within months. If you want to save on labour costs, discuss with your painter which specific tasks you can take on without compromising the quality of the finished result.

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• Good Old Wood ✓
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• BC Proud Painting Services ✓