Painted Cabinets

[April Benard]

Hi Flippers/Rehabbers.... What are your thoughts on painted cabinets? Should I make the investment for new cabinets or can cabinets be preserved? This project is for a flip.

[Salley Smith]

I painted my cabinets, they look fine. However, the time I had to invest was probably over 30-40 hours, and my kitchen is smaller than most. The prep work itself is substaincial, you have to tape off the inside and outside of the cabinets. Started out with oak which unfortunately has a lot of grain. So in addition to sanding them I decided to also fill them with wood putty, which took extra time (be very careful if you do this step) But keep in mind, if you want them white, ivory or black, it is not going to look as good with the grain showing. I then spray gun painted them with two coats of primer and two color coats. I also used the spray gun indoors, which required extra prep work. I would not recommend brush painting them, my mother did that and you can see the brushstroaks, which again, doesnt look extremlely modeen. You could try to roller brush them with a small roller (ultra smooth), but you would have to be careful of maintaining perfection along the grooved edges. My cabinets were not completely flat which meant that I had to use a brush in the inner corners, which was so much extra work, but very necessary. I found sanding between paint applications was fourtunatly unnecessary. If you have a lot of extra time, and not very much money, then you could try to do them yourself, but you need to be very careful. Mine look good, but they aren't perfect, and I spent hours.