Cabinets take more abuse than any other painted surface in a house. They get splashed, handled with greasy hands and wiped down constantly. That is why a cabinet job is mostly about what happens before the colour coat: cleaning, sanding, priming and the right enamel.

For Oliver kitchens that still have sound boxes but tired doors, painting is often a sensible alternative to a full replacement. We look at the cabinets first and tell you whether they are worth painting.

Parts of a cabinet job

Doors and drawer fronts removed, labelled and painted off the boxes
Cabinet frames and end panels painted in place
Degreasing near the stove and sink, where residue blocks adhesion
Sanding and filling old hinge holes and dings
Primer suited to the existing finish, whether laminate, stained wood or old paint
Hardware removed and reinstalled, or replaced if you supply new pulls

Why people paint rather than replace

Oliver homes include family houses, rentals and older kitchens that work fine but look dated. Painting changes the look of a room faster than almost any other upgrade, and the boxes stay where they are, so the plumbing, counters and layout are left alone.

If you are preparing a rental or a house for sale, a clean light cabinet colour makes the kitchen read as updated. If you plan to stay, a darker or bolder colour can be a fun choice, provided you accept that it will show more fingerprints.

Doors and drawers also need to close properly once they are coated, so we pay attention to the edges. A heavy build-up of paint on a hinge side can make a door bind. We keep coats thin, check clearances before reassembly and adjust hinges where needed. The cabinets should feel as smooth to use as they look, and nothing should stick or scrape.

What happens in the kitchen

Strip the hardware. Hinges, knobs and pulls come off and are bagged and labelled so everything returns to its original spot.
Clean and scuff. A degreaser takes off kitchen film, then sanding gives the primer something to grip.
Prime and enamel. Primer goes on first, followed by thin coats of hard-wearing enamel with light sanding between coats.
Reassemble. Doors are rehung and adjusted so they close evenly, and we leave the paint to cure before heavy use.

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

Cabinet Painting in Oliver: questions

How long until I can use my kitchen again?

You can usually use the room once doors are back on, but the paint keeps hardening for days. We explain how gently to treat the surface in that period.

Can you paint laminate or thermofoil cabinets?

Often yes with the right bonding primer, but some thermofoil that is peeling cannot be saved. We check a door during the quote and say if it is a poor candidate.

Will brush marks show?

Fine brushes and rollers, or spraying where the setup allows, keep marks to a minimum. Thin coats and patient sanding matter more than the tool.

Other painting services in Oliver

Cabinet Painting in nearby towns

If you want to know whether your Oliver cabinets are worth painting, request a free written quote.

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

More about cabinet painting and Oliver

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

Further reading: Oliver on Wikipedia and Spray painting on Wikipedia.

Watch: cabinet painting in action

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