If your kitchen layout works but the cabinets look tired, painting them is a practical middle path between living with them and a full replacement. The catch is that cabinets are the hardest-working painted surface in a home, handled daily, splashed, and exposed to cooking grease.

So the job here is mostly about preparation. Paint does not stick to a greasy, glossy door, no matter how good the can is. We spend our time on cleaning, abrading and priming so the finish can bond and last.

What goes into a cabinet refinish

Doors and drawer fronts removed, labelled and painted off the frame
Cabinet boxes, face frames and end panels painted in place
Thorough degreasing, especially above the stove and around handles
Sanding and bonding primer so the topcoat grips the old finish
Wood filler for dents, old hinge holes and open grain where wanted
Reinstalling doors, adjusting alignment and refitting hardware

When refinishing makes sense for a Kelowna kitchen

Many owners end up with a kitchen they did not choose, whether they bought the house that way or simply tired of the colour. If the cabinets are solid wood or sturdy board with a layout that works, a new colour can change the whole feel of the room without tearing anything out.

Our work stays in the home, so the main thing we need is a plan for the days the doors are off. Most families keep using the kitchen for the boxes and counters, and we keep the space tidy by working in a protected area and sealing off dust. The doors are usually the longest part because each coat needs time to dry.

Hardware is a decision worth making early. New pulls cover old holes or leave them visible, and hinges that are worn or painted over should be replaced while the doors are off. Bring your hardware plans to the quote visit and we will build them into the schedule.

The cabinet sequence

Label and remove. Every door and drawer is numbered so it returns to its own opening, and hinges and pulls are bagged.
Clean and scuff. Grease and grime come off first, then the glossy surface is sanded so the primer has something to hold.
Prime and coat. A bonding primer goes on, then the topcoat in the number of coats the quote sets, with drying time between.
Rehang and adjust. Doors go back, gaps are evened out, and we check that each one closes the way it should.

The full process, prep and pricing factors are on our main cabinet painting page.

Cabinet Painting in Kelowna: questions

Will brush marks show on painted doors?

A proper cabinet-grade finish levels out well, and sprayed or carefully rolled coats leave a very smooth surface. We tell you in the quote which method we recommend.

Can you paint laminate or thermofoil cabinets?

Some can be done with the right primer, but thermofoil that is peeling or heat-damaged may not hold paint. We check a few spots at the visit and say so plainly.

How long should I wait before loading the shelves?

Cabinet paint feels dry long before it is hard. We will give you a safe wait time for putting dishes back, because early loading is what causes sticking and chips.

Other painting services in Kelowna

Cabinet Painting in nearby towns

Request a free written quote for cabinet painting in Kelowna and tell us how many doors and drawers you have.

Request your free written quote or call (778) 760-0346.

More about cabinet painting and Kelowna

Have a question first? Read the FAQ, learn about Alto Pro Painters or contact us.

Further reading: Kelowna on Wikipedia and Kitchen cabinets on Wikipedia.

Watch: cabinet painting in action

How to properly paint kitchen cabinets, by This Old House on YouTube.