Spray painting cabinets?

Question

I was just watching DIY Network quick tip for painting your cabinets; use some light sandpaper or liquid sand then roll or spray paint.

Spray paint? Is that for real? Would the result come with similar results as painting (doubtful if I judge by my sprayed ceiling)? It sure would save a ton of time.

Kyle J. · Answer

Scott W. Do you mean spray them with a can of spray paint or a paint sprayer?  I wouldn't do it with a can of spray paint.  However, if you're referring to using a paint sprayer, that's the method I actually prefer.  I've had my painter spray all of my cabinets, and they come out perfect (and no brush strokes to worry about).

Randy F. · Answer

Just my two cents on Transformations.

There is nothing magical about it. Everything in it is available on the shelf seperately and at less cost, although the instructional video provides DIY valuable info. Refinishing or painting cabinets is very labor intensive, and results are dependent upon the skill level of the user. The kits are convenient for the DIY who has the time to spend, but it may make more sense to ensure a quality end product by hiring it professionally done.

What I dont like about it is how misleading the marketing is. DIY has turned into a HUGE market and this product plays to it. Rustoleum claims that with the kit you eliminate the need for stripping, sanding, and priming. Stripping would seldom be necessary before painting, deglossing with scotchbrite pads is basically wet sanding, and the "base coat" is.... thats right... a tinted primer coat! But if they didnt make it sound easy, noone would buy it!

For the right DIYers Im sure its great. I would just caution those considering it to expect it to eat up a great deal of time, require a great deal of space, and may not look as sassy as the pics on the box and website.

As far as fizz cans... I hope DIY Network wasnt talking about using them on cabinets. But who knows... How many shows have you seen where they start rolling out paint with a 4" roller in the middle of the wall! Spray paint in the can is way too thin bodied and would take forever and ten days to do a kitchen with, and you'd be chasing runs and sags and if you did get enough build for a decent finish, you would cloud adjacent surface finish as you go with the overspray.

Cabinets are best sprayed with a HVLP(high volume low pressure)sprayer which allows greater control and finer finish than most airless, with a manageable level of overspray. A good option might be to work with your painter and you do the prep and pay him to come in and shoot them for a couple hundred bucks.

Kyle J. · Answer

Hard to say because I liked the results with both.

I normally have my cabinets spray painted because my painter (who paints the entire inside of my houses for me) is already spraying paint and it's just so easy for him to continue spraying over the cabinets.

I think if I was going to do it myself though, I would use the Rustoleum product because it seems a little easier for a DIY'er like myself since I don't personally own a good quality paint sprayer and Rustoleum's product can easily be brushed on and still end up looking good.

Kyle J. · Answer

I'm not sure since I paid the contractor one price for a bunch of work and the cabinet painting wasn't separately itemized.  However, it's definitely something you could do yourself (if you were interested).

Brad Friesen · Answer

@Kyle J since you've used both methods, how would you compare the quality and overall appearance of the Rustoleum products to a good old fashioned paint job?

Scott W. · Answer

Kyle J.  just curious, how much was the labor?  i've heard of the transformation product & was going to use it until the cabinets couldn't be saved due to plumbing.

Kyle J. · Answer

Brad Friesen I had a contractor (not my regular painter) use Rustoleum's cabinet transformation on the cabinets in one of my houses because he had an extra kit laying around.  I must say it came out looking pretty good.

Brad Friesen · Answer

I've seen a few projects here on BiggerPockets where Rustoleum was used for the counters and the cabinets. Looks great! I definitely want to try it out on some of my rentals.

Kyle J. · Answer

My painter doesn't remove them.  (He does take all the drawers out though and the hardware off.)  He is a really good painter and the cabinets always come out looking smooth as glass.

Tarun Kapoor · Answer

how important is to to remove the cabinets ?

Spray painting cabinets?

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