Your commercial space may be a huge complex, a retail location, a place to eat, or your office. Whatever the space we can help you with wallpaper, painting, or industrial coatings to get the most out of the space you’re in.
Painting your home is the number one thing you can do to improve the look, feel, and sale of your home. It is the 1st thing 90% do when they buy a home!
Make your house a home by putting your style, personality, flair, and unique taste on your walls with color. We will help you love the home you’re in!
Water is the biggest enemy of wood cabinetry. But there is some good news- repairing water damaged cabinets is possible!
Hi David Cook from D’franco Painting & Wallpaper, coming at you once more with a problem almost everyone has with the wood cabinets in their home: water damage.
Water damage does not mean a water pipe broke. Most of the time water damage to cabinets happens over a long period of time. This problem is also not just limited to painted cabinets but to stained cabinets as well. We will learn how to avoid that as well as show you our latest water damage repair.
Here is a mudroom cabinet damaged by repeated water exposure.
How does water damage happen to cabinets?
More times than not, the water damaged cabinets take place over years of exposure to water. This happens in a variety of ways:
slow leaking pipes
leaving a wet rag on a wood cabinet
using excessive water to clean cabinet
allowing food to dry on cabinets
leaving wet cloths on cabinets
the use of harsh chemicals to clean cabinets
dishwashers- they can release steam when on its drying cycle.
open windows
water bowls from pets
All of the above were reasons we have heard and seen the damage 1st hand.
How to prevent water damage to cabinets
Some of the reasons listed above that caused water damage are obvious in how to prevent them, but we will do a quick review.
Leaking pipes. Aside from looking under your sinks, you can use water mats. They are under the sink containers that will hold up to 2 gallons of water if there is a slow leak- no problem!
Wet rags and excessive water used to clean. Never leave a wet rag hanging on a wood cabinet! When cleaning cabinet doors use products from BOMA or a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water.
Keep cabinets clean- wipe away food or excessive water from your cabinets.
Dishwashers- look to see where they vent . If they vent against a cabinet find a different brand.
Keep windows and doors closed when leaving the house.
Water bowls from pets can be messy. Choose a location that is not next to your cabinets.
How a cabinet was made will affect the amount of damage from water. If there is MDF panels in the door- you will have damaged doors, it is just a matter of time. The method of how cabinets were painted will affect to durability as well.
Our cabinet crew was busy at work to first clean this cabinet. We used TSP to get rid of the dirt and cleaning products that were on this cabinet. After cleaning, the surfaces were sanded to remove all of the loose top coat and make a clean solid surface that we could use to re-stain the damaged areas.
For the stain color we had to wing it a bit. The doors were different wood that the main cabinet surface. There was no record of the stain color used when the house was built. what we originally used was stain from DuraSeal. Although initially it looked good, as it dried and we did our wipe off of the excessive stain, the stain did not (and would not) penetrate the wood. This happens with wood species such as maple. Our next solution was to use a gel stain. The gel stain we had to mix 3 colors to match the color variations in the wood.
Once the stain was dry , we were able to apply a clear polyurethane. Once the first coat was dry, we sanded the surface again and applied out 2nd clear coat.
The cabinet with the stain not sticking.A look where the stain just did not stick very well.Here is the final look of the cabinet after re-stained and clear coated.
What should you do if you have water damaged cabinets?
It’s easy! Call us! We will provide you with an estimate of how long to will take to fix, the method we use and the cost. We can’t wait to help you love the space you’re in!
Problems with restaining Cherry cabinets West Dundee
If you are like many of our customers, you have cherry cabinets in your home. Just like these customers, you are tired of the way cherry cabinets look. There are a few problems with restaining cherry cabinets that you should be aware of, so let’s explore them!
Giving cherry kitchen cabinets a new life can be tricky. Most people are painting cherry cabients. Dave S and his wife in Sleepy Hollow, IL chose not to paint their wood cabinets, opting to preserve them instead. Several problems exist with staining cherry cabinets that you should see or know about, so let’s dive in!
Hello Everyone, David with Dfranco Painting and Wallpaper here in Huntley, IL. We assist homeowners in nearby areas with painting, wallpaper, and cabinet refinishing. These areas include Carpentersville, Elgin, Pingree Grove, Bartlett, Geneva, and St. Charles. Todays’ question or issue we get into Problems with restaining Cherry cabinets.
Can you restain cherry cabients?
I am going to share a quick video to show you where we cannot restain cherry cabinets.
As you can see in that video, someone neglected the cabinets for some time. The clear finish had come off the wood, and someone had rubbed off the stain too. To make matters worse, the water exposure had stained and cause water damgage to the cabinets.
With that example- painting cherry cabinets or replacing is the only option. (we can help with cabinet painting as well)
Are you sure you have Cherry cabients?
Several cabinet companies can take woods such as maple or oak and stain them a dark cherry color. Before trying to restain a cherry cabinet- make sure you know what wood you have. Some times cabinet makers turn to glazing cherry cabinets look alikes to get wood to look like cherry.
You amy also not have a solid wood cabient. There are many veneers that look like cheryr that act and stain differently that solid cherry wood panels.
Matching cherry stain colors
As we founf our in our most recent project, cherry wood is tricky. Cherry is a semi hard wood, tht can dent easy. Cherry also have alot of natural tannon in it. Tannon is a natural red or orange color that is part of the wood and affects the look of wood.
Cherry also is not a uniform color wood. In one cabinet door, you can have 3-5 different shades or color tones. Thes different tone make it difficult to match stain colors.
One other issue with matching stain colors, is that like paint, the tints and raw materials used in cabient stains change. Combine that with the changes in how manufacturers make polyurethanes.
Then you add age. Wood changes tone and color as it ages- especially cherry! Sun or no sun with oil base dproducts will shift in their color, darken or amber depending on UV exposure.
When we took this porject on, we experienced every single problem. Take a look…
How polyurathane affects cabinet colors
if you have wood floors, then you may be aware that wood finished that are oil based will tent to yellow in their color. If you have a full sun window with a rug by it, move that rug in a year and you will see coloration diffreence in the floor from sun or no sun exposure.
This coloroation a cannot be reversed. Matching colors to a cherry cabinet can be difficult. This is because the amber or yellow tones of the polyurethane can impact the stain colors.
Are you curious about the cost to restain or repaint your cabinets?
If you have a question about cabinet painting, cabinet restaining, house painting, or even wallpaper installation we are here to help!
How to Paint your Cherry Cabinets
Are you in a home with older Wood cabinets? Are they cherry or cherry colored? Ready for something new? Then here is a quick article for –How to paint your Cherry Cabinets.
Hello Everyone, I am David With Dfranco Painting and Wallpaper in Huntley, IL. We provide interior house painting, exterior house painting, wallpaper installation, wallpaper removal and my favorite- cabinet painting services. Although we live in Huntley, we have crews that help us serve our surrounding towns of Algonquin, Crystal Lake, Elgin, Bartlet, Pingree Grove, South Elgin and St. Charles to name a few areas. Feel free to call us if your town is not listed, im sure we can get there!
SO !! Lets talk about How to Paint your Cherry Cabinets!
DIY VS Cost to have cabinets painted.
We have written few articles in the past on cabinet painting. Some articles have been on the cost to paint cherry cabinets, as well as the cost to paint cabinets in general.
There are some DIY kits you can buy for cabinet painting, I cannot speak to those products as we do not use them. I can give information on our process, which will work for you, and what you need to do for a long-lasting result you will love!
If you are painting cabinets yourself, be prepared for it to take longer then you expect. (personal experience) average about 2 hours per item you are painting. You can also scroll below for our fee Guide to paint cabinets- almost everything you need.
You can always book an estimate with us as well, we will give you the cost, but estimate between $130-175 per cabinet box we are painting.
cherry cabinets painted white
If you are unsure of restaining or painting, then take a peek at this..
Free Guide- How to Paint your Cherry Cabinets
As promised…To help you, we are offering our proven way of painting cabinets (the same methods we use as part of our lifetime warranty) completely free to you! How? click the link, enter your email, and you will receive our multi-page document, one of the same training materials used to train our employees! We will cover:
inspection
cleaning
mapping
colors
hardware
primers
paints
SO… what are you waiting for? Download it now! When you are done- please share the before and after photos with us- we cant wait to see them!!
We hope that helps you, and as always let us know if you have any questions and how we can help.
Will oak cabinets show grain when they are painted?
That is a loaded question! I assume you are asking because you have oak cabinets that you are looking to get painted. We are asked this question every time people call us about painting oak cabinets.
Hey Everyone- David with Dfranco Painting and Wallpaper in Huntly, IL. This year’s top on line Question is..Will oak cabinets show grain when they are painted? Yes and no. The answer really should be it depends. So if you are in the Chicagoland Suburbs such as Elgin, Crystal Lake, Pingree Grove, St. Charles, or Bartlett, the oak cabinets are pretty similar. The process and finish will be very similar so-Let’s get into it.
Why do I see the grain on oak doors?
Oak as a wood species is considered a very hard and durable wood. It is used in many different areas such as:
doors
cabinets
toys
floors
furniture
pallets
wainscoting
Oak has a very definitive grain pattern. I would call it an open grain pattern as you can see the light and dark variations of the wood color throughout the wood. These different grain variations also create a less than uniform appearance. Compared to maple cabinet painting you see very little grain patterns and it is very smooth. This graining is great when you are staining the wood as it looks great and you know you have wood. Some woods are so dense they have a hard time taking stain, or have nothing special about them and would be better off painted.
Can I get rid of grain in my oak doors of they are painted?
Now we are getting into the meat of this one! When we are painting oak doors, we have to ask what is your expectations.
here is an oak door that we have applied primed and then sanded smooth
As you can see with the image, the oak grain really shows through after we have sanded this door. We have deliberately made this happen. When we are painting oak cabinet doors, we roll on the primer a bit diluted so it will penetrate into the pores and grains of the wood. After it has dried we power sand it smooth and the oak will be revealed while the veins of the wood stay white.
here is a oak door that has been sanded and now has its second coat of primer
With the door now having its second coat of primer applied, you can kind of still see the oak wood grain come through. This is happening for a few reasons. First, when we sanded the last time we sanded pretty hard and it released the wood tannin which stains the wood. Second, the wood itself has a lot of texture, and that texture takes a few coats of primer to get rid of!
an oak cabinet door with 3 coats of primer to almost eliminate the grain
Right about now I can hear someone asking “this is great but will oak cabinets show grain when they are painted?”
Removing oak grain from kitchen cabinets before painting them white
How to get rid of the oak grain when painting kitchen cabinets
I kind of let the cat out of the bag above on this but here is our step-by-step process for prep and getting rid of grain in oak cabinet doors. (this assuming the doors are removed)
Once back to our shop we are cleaning the doors before we do anything.
Once clean, we will wet sand the doors with a degreaser to get any residue off the doors.
After the doors are dry, we will apply the first coat of bonding primer with a roller.
When the primer is dry, sand the door smooth.
Apply a second coat of primer and allow to dry.
Get the sander out again and sand smooth.
At this point we inspect. Some oak doors only need two coats, apply third if needed.
Now oil prime to seal out stain and wood tannin.
Allow to dry and start to paint!
Oak cabinets painted white with grain showing through
Believe it or not, there are some people that like the grain showing through the wood so they know it is a real wood door. We have never been asked to do that. We have reduced it, but never gone so far as to have someone want their oak cabinets to look like a white stain.
There is a really cool technique called ceruse. We have played with it but it has never really gone any further than that (for us).
So one thing we have done is clean, sand and apply a tinted clear urethane to make the doors look as though they were stained a darker color. If you do go this route, it is a much simpler process and quicker too!!
An oak cabinet door sprayed with a dark tinted clear urethane
Best primers to use when painting oak cabients
Every primer has a purpose. While there are actual grain fillers you can buy and apply to the doors, we have found it isn’t worth the money and they are a real pain to sand smooth.
So we use primer. It is cheap. They dry fast. All of them are easy to sand smooth and we don’t have a lot of dust to worry about.
Those are the top three primers we use. For large cedar, pine and oak projects the oil odorless is the ticket. We never have to worry about any stains once we prime. We also have used this on oak cabinet projects where heavy cooking oils and hair care products were used.
Stix is just a great bonding primer. Stix it and forget it.
The spot primers are for touch ups. Sometimes the doors or cabinets have a stain that is stubborn and want to keep saying hello.
Oak cabinet door with no grain painted white
a oak cabinet painted white with no grain
This is a drawer front we just painted, so it is shiny because it is wet. But compared to the first few images, the grain is pretty much gone.
The fun part of this project is you can have fun! Pick the color you want, it doesn’t matter. You can select how much grain you want or don’t want.
Painted Oak Kitchen Cabinets Before and After
oak cabinets before they were painted
oak cabinets painted white
So…will oak cabinets show grain when they are painted? You decide. You can show the grain if you want to, but then again they are your cabinets, do what you want!
If you are looking to have your oak cabinets painted or have any questions about cabinet painting, let us know how we can help!
Painting Cherry Cabinets Elgin
So.. your home has cherry cabinets. You are ready for a new look and feel to your kitchen. Replacing cabinets is not in your budget. The next best option is too paint your cabinets! So if you are considering Painting Cherry Cabinets Elgin or the surrounding suburbs, this post is for you!
Hello Everyone, I am David with Dfranco Painting and Wallpaper in Huntley, IL. The top question and query we recieved over the past month has been regarding painting Cherry cabinets, so I thought I would revisit this topic for you.
Are you ready to paint your Cherry Cabinets?
If you are like many of our customers in the Chicagoland area, such as South Elgin, Hampshire, or Crystal Lake, you have a home that has these cherry cabinets. You been looking at Pinterest, Google images, watching HGTV or YouTube videos about painting kitchen cabinets. You are tired of how they look and make your kitchen so dark. Many of our family members, friend and other customers have this same question- so you are in the right place. Now we’ll answer the question- Should I paint my cherry cabinets?
Do you have this type pf cherry cabinet kitchen?
But you are ready for an updated kitchen like this?
How much will it cost to paint my cabinets?
The top two questions most people are asking when facing the question or problem of kitchen remodeling, is how much will it cost and will it last. For most people, it is the same answer.
A common question- how much does it cost to paint cabinets? Right now, you can expect about $135.00 per cabinet to have it painted. That is an average so you can do some rough math by counting your cabinets. With the savings of painting your cabinets, you can replace your handles, get new soft close hinges, update your countertops, and change your sink and faucet!
Cherry cabinets before being painted white
Cherry cabinets after being painted and glazed
The best part about painting your cabinets is YOU decide what color you want! You can go to any JC Licht Store, or Sherwin Williams store in the Chicagoland area, pick any color you want- you can even pick two colors if you wish!! (If you select the whites from BEHR- we may not be able to match it 100%)
Larger jobs may come with a free color consult!
So, can I paint MY cherry cabinets?
Before the details of how we paint your cabinets, there are several questions you have to be able to honestly answer to know if painting your cherry cabinets is a good solution for you.
Is there anything wrong with the cabinets you have? Is there any damage? Are there any broken doors? Do they have water damage? If you are saying no to any of these then so far you are on your way to painting your cherry cabinets!
Do you like the look of a painted cabinet? Some people, my father being one of them, cringes at the sound of painting wood. If you are not sure then take a few hours and go to a home improvement store like Home Depot or Menards to look and touch. Ask yourself if you can see yourself with painted kitchen cabinets.
If you are still feeling good about the idea then it is time for the next step!
Original stained cherry cabinets
Painted cherry cabinets painted green
Things to Consider Before Painting Your Cherry Cabinets
There are a few things you need to be aware of if you have never had a kitchen or any cabinets that are painted. Painted cabinets are not like stained wood cabinets. I know you are here because you want to know about cherry cabinets, however, if your cabinets are pine-stained cherry color, this is not for you. Pine cabinets are not good candidates for paint. But you have solid Cherry! Stained cherry cabinets have a finish that has penetrated the wood fibers themselves to bond into the wood. Paint on a cabinet is given a bonding primer to stick to the surface of the cabinet. Then the paint is put on top of the primer. This is the same in a new factory cabinet or a refinished one like you are thinking about now.
Keep in mind, at the end of the day this is paint. It is a hard shell, it will resist stains, it will be washable, it will look impressive. Paint on wood can chip upon impact and wood doors will not allow you to place wet towels or rags on them and not become damaged. I have to give you that bit of informaton up front so you know.
I have painted my cabinets in my home, people are doing it every day, and I believe it a great way to not just improve the look of your kitchen but change how you feel about the most important room in your home.
It Worked For These People, And It Will Work For You
Here is our latest google review about our cabinet painting!
“Thanks to the Dfranco team for transforming our kitchen into a new and fresh look. Anthony’s attention to detail on the cabinets and doors was outstanding. Dave and Chad made sure that the job was done on a very timely basis. Thanks again to all of you.“
Response from the owner16 hours ago
Hey John! Thank you for choosing Dfranco Painting and Wallpaper for your kitchen transformation project. We’re thrilled to hear that Anthony’s attention to detail stood out and that Dave and Chad ensured the job was completed in a timely manner. We appreciate your kind words and are glad you’re happy with the new and fresh look!
Video…
Here is a Video testimonial from a great customer in Elgin, IL about painting cherry cabinets:
cabinet painting video testimonial
What are you getting when you paint cherry cabinets?
Having vetted workers of D’franco Painting & Wallpaper in your home that you can trust
We carry workman’s comp and liability insurance.
We have a system and process that has is used, always evaluated to improve and refine. And for over 15 years we still attend training annually to make sure we provide the best products for your home.
Lifetime Warranty on our work.
We use quality materials from Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore. Their time-tested and award-winning finishes will last and meet the demands of the most used room in your house.
It’s Decision Time
You have a choice to make: Keep looking at your cabinets and wonder what if…or worse, do nothing at all. You know where that will lead (to another web search on cherry cabinets, frustrated about the look and feel of your kitchen). Is that really where you want to go? Take a new action, and get a new result. Finally, get that estimate and transform your kitchen – Love the home you live in! Which do you really want for yourself? So here are your next steps: Call or text us
We will ask you for pictures of your kitchen
We will give you a cost to paint your cherry cabinets within $100-$200. It includes removing hardware, cleaning, painting the outside of the boxes and both sides of the doors. If the numbers look like you want more information we will make an appointment with you. We will come to your house with a door sample that you can touch and see. We will inspect everything and then give you an accurate quote of the exact cost
Receive a detailed description of how our process works and give you videos to show you of us in action.
You receive a list of products we use
You may qualify for a free color consult!
You’ll have a lifetime warranty.
So, you have asked the question “should I paint my cherry cabinets?”, and you have read the answers, now you are ready to take action and get a GET AN ESTIMATE today!
We look forward to helping you love the home you live in!
Here are some other blog articles on painting cabinets we have for you:
Maybe you should ask are you ready to paint your Cherry Cabinets?
If you are like many of our customers in the Chicagoland area, such as Elgin, Algonquin, or Crystal Lake, you have a home that has wood cabinets. Do you have solid wood cabinets such as cherry and you are not happy with the look and feel of your kitchen? Have you been looking at Pinterest, Google images, watching HGTV or YouTube videos about painting kitchen cabinets? Are you afraid of making the right decision? Then you are not alone. I too have felt this fear and faced these same questions so you are in the right place. Now we’ll answer the question- Should I paint my cherry cabinets?
Do you have this?
But are you ready for something like this?
How much will it cost and will it last?
These are the two questions most people are asking when facing the question or problem of kitchen remodeling, but for most people, it is the same answer.
The cost is based on how many cabinets you have
The process is proven to last- so we give you a lifetime warranty on our work
We even come back in 1 year to do a check up if you need it
A common question- how much does it cost to paint cabinets compared to replacing the cabinets. Right now, you can expect about $135.00 per cabinet to have it painted. That is an average so you can do some rough math by counting your cabinets. When you look at the cost to replace your cabinets, it will be 70% more expensive than painting them and with the money you save by painting, you can now upgrade your door hardware, your countertops, your sink, and most likely your appliances to have a new kitchen you want and enjoy.
Cherry cabinets before being painted white
Cherry cabinets after being painted and glazed
The other cost is the loss of your kitchen. If you replace your cabinets, think about the fact that you will have no kitchen to use for several weeks. You will not have appliances. You will have to remove everything from your cabinets and store all that stuff for 2-4 weeks! There are always surprises as you take things out and replace that end up costing more money and time away from the most popular part of your home. If you don’t have a 2nd place in your home to cook, that is a lot of money to buy food ready to eat vs. cooking in your home.
The best part is YOU decide what color you want! You can go to any JC Licht Store, or Sherwin Williams store in the Chicagoland area, pick any color you want- you can even pick two colors if you wish!! (If you select the whites from BEHR- we may not be able to match it 100%)
So, can I paint MY cherry cabinets
YES!! You have just read the inconvenience of replacing your cabinets with new ones. When we paint them, you get to use your kitchen! There may be a few hours in the course of the day we have plastic around your appliances to protect them, but every night you use your kitchen! And since you don’t have doors you can access everything in your kitchen quicker! (That one was meant to bring a smile). Before the details of how, there are several questions you have to be able to honestly answer to know if painting your cherry cabinets is a good solution for you.
Is there anything wrong with the cabinets you have? Is there any damage? Are there any broken doors? Do they have water damage? If you are saying no to any of these then so far you are on your way to painting your cherry cabinets!
Do you like the look of a painted cabinet? Some people, my father being one of them, cringes at the sound of painting wood. If you are not sure then take a few hours and go to a home improvement store like Home Depot or Menards to look and touch. Ask yourself if you can see yourself with painted kitchen cabinets.
If you are still feeling good about the idea then it is time for the next step!
Original cherry cabinets
Painted cherry cabinets
Things to Consider Before Painting Your Cherry Cabinets
But! There is always a but. There are a few things you need to be aware of if you have never had a kitchen or any cabinets that are painted. Painted cabinets are not like stained wood cabinets. I know you are here because you want to know about cherry cabinets, however, if your cabinets are pine-stained cherry color, this is not for you. Pine cabinets are not good candidates for paint. But you have solid Cherry! Stained cherry cabinets have a finish that has penetrated the wood fibers themselves to bond into the wood. Paint on a cabinet is given a bonding primer to stick to the surface of the cabinet. Then the paint is put on top of the primer. This is the same in a new factory cabinet or a refinished one like you are thinking about now.
Keep in mind, at the end of the day this is paint. It is a hard shell, it will resist stains, it will be washable, it will look impressive. Paint on wood can chip upon impact and wood doors will not allow you to place wet towels or rags on them and not become damaged. I have to give you those buts up front so you know.
I have painted my cabinets in my home, people are doing it every day, and I believe it a great way to not just improve the look of your kitchen but change how you feel about the most important room in your home.
It Worked For These People, And It Will Work For You
Here’s what it did for me… Before I met Daphne and we were married, she had her cabinets painted but didn’t like the color. There was still nothing wrong with the cabinets-just a color -the wrong color. We picked a new color, had some new hardware installed, where there were none before and now we have a kitchen that my wife loves to look at and loves the feeling she has when we are in it. So I have used the materials, process, and system in my home as well.
Here is one testimonial from a great customer in Elgin, IL about painting cherry cabinets:
What are you getting when you paint cherry cabinets?
Having employees of D’franco Painting & Wallpaper in your home, not subcontractors.
All of our employees get background checked by a 3rd party vendor.
We carry workman’s comp and liability insurance.
We have a system and process that has is used, always evaluated to improve and refine. And for over 15 years we still attend training annually to make sure we provide the best products for your home.
Lifetime Warranty on our work. We will come back on your anniversary every year and give you one hour to do the minor touch-ups that you may need
We use cabinet-grade cabinet paints from ML Campbell, Chem Aqua, Shurwood, or ILVA. These are time-tested and award-winning finishes that will last and meet the demands of the most used room in your house. (the paint we use is varies on cost, color and availability)
It’s Decision Time
You have a choice to make: Keep looking at your cabinets and wonder what if…or worse, do nothing at all. You know where that will lead (to another web search on cherry cabinets, frustrated about the look and feel of your kitchen). Is that really where you want to go? Take a new action, and get a new result. Finally, get that estimate and transform your kitchen – Love the home you live in! Which do you really want for yourself? So here are your next steps: Call or text us
We will ask you for pictures of your kitchen
We will give you a cost to paint your cherry cabinets within $100-$200. It includes removing hardware, cleaning, painting the outside of the boxes and both sides of the doors. If the numbers look like you want more information we will make an appointment with you. We will come to your house with a door sample that you can touch and see. We will inspect everything and then give you an accurate quote of the exact cost
Receive a detailed description of how our process works and give you videos to show you of us in action.
You receive a list of products we use
You may qualify for a free color consult!
You’ll have a lifetime warranty.
So, you have asked the question “should I paint my cherry cabinets?”, and you have read the answers, now you are ready to take action and get a GET AN ESTIMATE today!
We look forward to helping you love the home you live in!
Here are some other blog articles on painting cabinets we have for you:
5 ways to remodel your kitchen vs replacing your cabinets
Yes! You can remodel your kitchen and get the same affect as replacing your kitchen!
Hello everyone – David Cook with D’franco Painting and Wallpaper in Huntley, IL. Today, we are talking about ways you can remodel or update your kitchen vs having to replace your kitchen cabinets. We have 5 ways you can make significant improvements to your kitchen and not break the bank in doing so.
Tip 1: Install kitchen cabinet hardware to give your cabinets a facelift!
This tip is by far the easiest thing to do in your kitchen. If you do not have hardware- knobs or handles on your kitchen cabinet doors or drawers- then it is time to do so. By adding hardware:
You improve how the kitchen looks
In using knobs or handles you will reduce the wear and tear to your wood cabinets
The cabinets will be cleaner, as the dirt goes on the handle not your cabinet
But where should I go to buy hardware?…. lol watch below
Tip 2: Replace your counter tops with something new
If you are ready for something to give boost in your kitchen, then it is time for new counter tops. In our last kitchen, we were able to help our customers in getting new counter tops from a company in Huntley, Old World Stone. I have not heard a negative complaint about them yet. With the size of your counters you may be able to mix and match and really have some fun, get creative, and take advantage of small slabs of rock to save you money and create a unique look for your kitchen
For those of you in some of the subdivisions in Pingree Grove, Huntley or Gilberts, Old world stone is a great place local that you can have get you information on new counters.
Tip 3: Install new sink and faucet
Many times the sinks and faucets are the original pieces from when the Kitchen was built. That doesn’t mean it is a bad thing- it just means that the sinks and fixtures are usually dated. Combine the sink with the counter and you can really have some fun! The new faucets come is so many styles colors there is not more settling for what you see on the self!
I say to add new sink or faucet- but I will also say “I HATE” plumbing! So this may be a thing to hire out- as we found that some newer faucets require newer goofy fittings
Tip 4: Install sliding shelves in your cabinets and update how your kitchen works!
Last week we installed some sliding shelves inside cabinets that we were painting. It took some weeks to get them, but we were able to take a cabinet with a flat bottom and turn it into a sliding shelf! (these were from slide a shelf) We actually got them though costco!
We have done many blog posts and Youtube videos on this one, but here is a pic of the last job where we did all of the above! (had other contractors help)
here is the kitchen just finished with Counter tops, new sink, new faucet, and 2 tone painted oak cabinets
Here is a before image of the kitchen before the new sink, faucet, counters, and painted cabinets.
Oak cabinets painted white and grey
You would never know there was Formica, solid color sink and faucet, and honey oak cabinets in this house!
If you are considering painting your cabinets, then you have questions. Painting your cabinets can be overwhelming and confusing. We are here to help you with your questions about cabinet painting. Today, it is a question from Darin from last week as we are working on this project in Barrington, IL: “Should I paint the inside of my cabinets?
Hello!!! My name is David, and I own Dfranco Painting and Wallpaper in Huntley, IL. Let’s dive into this question and see if we can help you with your decision on cabinet painting.
Painting Cabinets
As we are doing estimates for cabinet painting, there are several common questions that almost every homeowner asks.
Today, we focus on the last one. For the other questions, we posted links for either articles we have written or videos we have made.
Typically, we say no. But today, we are gonna show why we said yes
Not painting the inside of cabinets
95% of all kitchen cabinets we see are about 10-20 years old, are oak, and are pretty basic in construction and installation. The interiors of these cabinets are typically the same color or a lighter color than the stained wood of the cabinet doors or drawers. These same interior cabinets are typically in very good condition. This is a preference or budget item. (blog article – to paint cabinets).
Black cabinets would not get painted insideIf you have glass doors-Should I paint the inside of my cabinets? answers itselfpainting the inside is a must on this project
The inside of the cabinets is usually sheltered, and there is not a lot of wear and tear. Most of the time, the shelves have some type of shelf liner that protects them from wear and tear. We are from the if it’s not broken- don’t try and fix it!
Top reasons to paint the insides of cabinets
OK- let’s do the down and dirty- show why you should paint them.
if you have glass doors- then YES, paint the inside of the doors or drawers. This would be a preference more than practice.
Older plywood cabinets- previously painted- Then do it! The cabinets in our house were all made with MDF plywood. Dark black stain- and NASTY!! PLUS, someone took a brush and roller to paint the cabinets.
The cabinets have damage. There are people who have never used or even heard of shelf liners. When the interior of the cabinets is stained or has a veneer application- those surfaces wear off and are easily damaged by water or wear and tear.
If your cabinets are already painted (YouTube short)- and you are changing colors- it is not a great look to have old yellowed dark cabinets on the inside where your glasses or dishes sit yet have bright and clean paint/color on the outside doors/drawers, etc.
So.. are you ready?
This is a quick highlight of why you can, should, or should not paint the insides of cabinets. Sometimes, the answer is very clear and straightforward. Sometimes, it comes down to preference. Either way- we hope we helped. If you have a question- please let us know; we are here to assist with arguably the most popular room in your house!
Can maple cabinets be painted white?
If you have Maple Cabinets in your kitchen, you may be asking yourself… Can maple cabinets be painted white?
Maple cabinets look great. They are very sturdy, and their finishes can withstand the wear and tear in a high-traffic area. But once a maple cabinet has been stained and clearcoated, it can be very difficult to change its color to a new stain. That is where we come in. Have you ever considered painting your cabinets white?
Here are natural maple cabinets.
Can Maple cabinets be painted white?
Not only can maple cabinets be painted white, but they can be painted any color you choose. Right now, the most popular color is white. Grey is next, followed by blue or black. So, how do we do it? Will painted cabinets last? Will the painted maple cabinets chip?
Just like painting cherry or oak cabinets, we have to clean them.
Once they are cleaned, we will have to sand these doors and get them ready for primer.
We will then apply a bonding primer to the maple cabinets. Our preference is Stix, which is actually made for glass and tile. If the primer is sticking to glass- it will stick to wood!
Once the primer dries overnight, then we will apply the final paint choice of color.
You can pick the color and finish you want. For the finish, there are a few choices: dull, matte, satin, or semi-gloss.
Painted cabinets are just that…paint. Paint does wear. Paint also does not play well with water (more on that later).
If the cabinets are properly prepared, they will last for several years.
PLEASE do not wash with water. Use a 50/50 mix with water and vinegar.
DO NOT leave wet wash cloths, towels, or rags sitting on the top or edges of painted cabinet doors. You will not like the results.
Chipping actually happens when the wood has been impacted- blunt force, dented. When the wood bends, the paint does not, which creates a chip
We have been painting cabinets for over 15 years now. In that time, we have had just 2 call backs. One was from a dog that started eating a door. The other was from a sink that broke…water damage everywhere.
What is the warranty for chips?
Our warranty for painted cabinets is just like the warranty you will get when you buy a car. If the paint peels, we will fix it. If something causes paint to chip- a rock on the road it is not covered. Eating Utensils, cleaning tools, toys, and fingernails are the most common causes of paint chips. We can fix them, but we can’t warranty wood to not dent.
What will my kitchen look like while being painted?
We do our best to make sure that the kitchen or cabinets that are being painted are “quarantined” off. We do the following:
Cover the floors.
Mask off the cabinets with plastic.
Use vacuums to eliminate the over-spray and dust.
Make sure that we work as fast as possible to not inconvenience our customers, so we are in and out as fast as possible.
This is cabinets masked prior to primer
Here are the maple cabinets with primer.
Here is a tent we use to section off – or quarantine – the kitchen.
How much will it cost?
You can figure about $130.00 per box as a base price. However, the best thing to do is call, text, or email us.
We will get a look at your kitchen and give you an accurate cost to paint your cabinets. You can also text us a picture and we will give you a rough estimate based off your photos! We are here to help you love the space you’re in. Let us show you how painting your maple, cherry, or oak cabinets will improve the look, value, and feel of your home.
Do you have Cherry cabinets in your home? Are you ready for something different? Have you considered painting your cabinets instead of replacing them? Painting Kitchen cabinets in dark Colors can be a bold and dramatic choice. Lets take a peek at some of our latest projects, so you can see the results.
Why Dark colors for Kitchen cabinets?
The Appeal of Dark Colors: Dark colors bring a sense of sophistication and depth to any space. In kitchens, where cherry cabinets traditionally exude a classic, warm tone, painting them in darker shades can modernize your kitchen, bathroom, bar or other cabinets while keeping their elegant, timeless charm. Dark colors like deep blues, rich greens, or even a classic black can create a stunning contrast, especially in well-lit or larger kitchens.
How to select colors when painting cabinets
Selecting a color for your cabinets can be exhausting, and if you are like me, to some extent- you may not care! I want white- I cant say I care which white! Is there really a difference in blacks? It is for these reasons that I have said that “if you pick it we stick it”! But that really doesn’t play well with marketing LOL. So how can we help with colors?
We want you to be confident with the colors and the look and feel of your home. To help with that we offer design/color consulting though some interior designers that will help you in selecting colors.
Before you go off getting color chips keep this in mind:
if you are doing anything to the floors have that done 1st- it will affect color
couner tops are usually dpne when we paint cabinets, have that selcted as well so the color will be a good combination with yout counter tops
wall color is LAST!
What are the most popular dark colors for painting cabinets?
I wish I had a magic ball and could say that these dark colors are gonna be it for years to come. But I cannot do that. Colors come and go, in some cases like fads. When you are looking at colors, just aks yourself – or know thyself- and pick a color YOU like, who cares what other people think! It is your home, so find a color you want.
That being said, here are some of the more popular paint colors for cabinets we have used in 2023:
Tricorn Black
Pepercorn Black
Hale Navy
Blue Nova
and then custom matches to fabrics!
What to look for with a kitchen cabinet painter
How are they Preparing for the Paint Job:
Surface Preparation:are they being cleaned before they are sanded?
Sanding: are they using actual sandpaper or liquid sandpaper?
Priming: are they using a bonding primer or all purpose primer?
dark grey cabinetsgrey accent cabinettricorn blackmore black cabinets
What kind of Paint is being used: Selecting the right type of paint is as important as choosing the color. For kitchen cabinets, a semi-gloss or satin finish is often preferred as it offers durability and is easier to clean. Look for paints that are specifically formulated for cabinetry- not trim paint from a big box store? Does the paint meet the kitchen Standard for Durability, finish, stain and bacteria rsistance?
How is the Paint being Applied? Is it going to be brushed, rolled a combination of both?Apply thin, even coats of paint.
Do they have insurance? liabilty and workmans comp should be on your radar. Here In Illinois, painters do not need to be licensed, and if it is not a municipal type project, no bond is needed either.
Will dark painted cabinets last?
Dark painted surfaces may show smudges or fingerprints more readily. Regular cleaning with a soft, damp cloth can help maintain their pristine look- ONLY use 50/50 vinegar and water!
Painting cherry cabinets in dark colors can reinvent your kitchen space, adding a contemporary twist to traditional elegance. This project, while requiring some effort and patience, can result in a stunning and rewarding transformation. Embrace the boldness of dark colors and watch as your kitchen turns into a stylish and sophisticated hub of your home.
Remember, the key to a successful painting project lies in proper preparation, choosing the right materials, and a bit of creativity. Don’t be afraid to experiment with color to create a space that reflects your personal style.
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