Make your kitchen stand out with professional kitchen cabinet painting services in Philadelphia & The Main Line!
Before you embark on your quest to purchase new kitchen cabinets, we would like to encourage you to contact Heiler Painting to discuss your goals for kitchen cabinet painting in Philadelphia or The Main Line. We think you’ll find it worthwhile to invest in painting versus undergoing a complete kitchen remodel.
We follow a proven process to ensure 100% customer satisfaction for every kitchen cabinet painting project that we take on. First and foremost, we want to understand our customer’s needs so we can provide an accurate, honest quote.
Professional cabinet painting requires more preparation than simply applying a new color over the existing finish. Kitchen cabinets are high-contact surfaces exposed to cooking residue, moisture, cleaning, fingerprints, and everyday use, so preparation and coating application are critical.
The exact process depends on the cabinetry, but a professional Heiler Painting cabinet project follows a carefully planned sequence.
1. Inspect the Cabinets
Before work begins, we evaluate the cabinet material, existing finish, overall condition, and areas that may require additional preparation or repair.
This is also the time to identify damaged surfaces that could affect whether painting is appropriate.
2. Label Doors, Drawers and Hardware
Cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware should be carefully organized so components can be returned to their proper locations during reassembly.
Doors and hardware are removed or protected as appropriate for the project, while countertops and other surfaces that are not being painted are covered and masked.
3. Clean and Degrease the Surfaces
Kitchen cabinets can accumulate grease, cooking residue, dust, and cleaning products over time.
Cabinet surfaces are thoroughly cleaned before sanding and coating so contaminants do not interfere with preparation or adhesion.
4. Complete Minor Repairs
Minor imperfections are addressed as appropriate before the finish is applied. The goal is to create a suitable surface for painting rather than covering visible damage with a new coating.
Cabinets with significant structural deterioration, water damage, swelling, or delamination may require a different solution.
5. Sand and Prepare the Existing Finish
Cabinet surfaces are sanded as appropriate to smooth imperfections and prepare the existing finish for the next stage of the coating system.
Preparation requirements can vary depending on the cabinet material and previous finish.
6. Apply the Appropriate Primer or Sealer
After preparation, primer or sealer is applied where required for the cabinet material and coating system.
A properly selected primer helps create a suitable foundation between the prepared cabinet surface and the finish coating.
7. Apply the Cabinet Finish
Once preparation and priming are complete, the selected cabinet coating is applied.
Heiler Painting uses mini rollers on flat cabinet surfaces and angled or flat brushes around edges and detailed areas where appropriate. The application method is selected to create a clean, consistent finish across the different cabinet components.
8. Allow Proper Drying and Curing
Drying and curing are not the same thing.
A coating can become dry to the touch before it has reached its full cured condition. Drying and curing times depend on the specific products used, environmental conditions, and manufacturer instructions.
Homeowners should follow the project team’s guidance about when cabinet doors can be handled, cleaned, or returned to normal everyday use.
9. Reassemble the Cabinets
After the appropriate drying period, doors, drawers, hardware, and other removed components can be carefully reassembled.
The completed cabinetry is then reviewed so the kitchen can be returned to use according to the recommended curing and care instructions.
Why choose Heiler Painting as your kitchen cabinet painting company in Philadelphia & The Main Line?
Our Kitchen Cabinet Painters will work with you to create the perfect look for your kitchen at an affordable cost. All you need to do is decide what kind of finish and color you like, and we’ll take care of the rest! See below to find out why customers in Philadelphia and The Main Line trust Heiler Painting:
- Over 4,000 completed projects
- Trusted for over 10 years
- Over 500 5-star reviews
- Upfront flat-rate pricing every time
- Certified, highly-trained painters
Kitchen Cabinet Painting Pricing
How Much Does Kitchen Cabinet Painting Cost?
| Cabinet Painting Service | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| Full kitchen cabinet painting | $4,000 to $7,000 |
| Cabinet door or drawer | $150 each |
Kitchen cabinet painting projects typically range from $4,000 to $7,000, depending on the size of the kitchen and the number of cabinet doors and drawers. Individual doors and drawers are typically priced at $150 each.
Which Kitchen Cabinets Can Be Painted?
Many kitchen cabinets can be professionally painted, but the existing material and condition should be evaluated before deciding whether painting is the right solution.
Wood Cabinets
Solid wood cabinets are often good candidates for painting when the cabinet boxes, doors, and frames remain structurally sound. Existing finishes still need to be cleaned and properly prepared so the primer and new coating can bond to the surface.
MDF and Engineered Wood Cabinets
MDF and some engineered wood cabinet components can also be painted when they are in suitable condition. Preparation is especially important around exposed edges, damaged areas, and surfaces where the existing finish has failed.
Previously Painted Cabinets
Previously painted cabinets can often be repainted, but the existing coating needs to be evaluated first. Peeling, chipping, poor adhesion, or an unknown previous coating may require additional preparation before a new finish can be applied.
Laminate and Other Manufactured Surfaces
Some laminate and manufactured cabinet surfaces may be suitable for painting with the correct preparation, bonding primer, and compatible coating system. Because these materials vary, the existing surface should be evaluated before assuming it can be successfully painted.
When Should Cabinets Not Be Painted?
Painting changes the finish and appearance of cabinetry, but it does not correct major structural problems.
Cabinets with significant water damage, swelling, delamination, failing substrate, extensive peeling, broken components, or other substantial deterioration may require repair or replacement rather than painting alone.
If the cabinets are structurally sound but you want to restore or change an existing wood appearance, cabinet refinishing may also be worth considering.
The best first step is evaluating the cabinets themselves rather than choosing a service based only on how they currently look.
Kitchen Painting Services
There are so many reasons to reconsider buying new kitchen cabinets. If you’re a homeowner, you probably already know that any remodeling project tends to get very expensive very quickly. It’s also an incredibly tedious process. This is why many customers rely on Heiler Painting to provide them with a completely new look without the hassle of a full kitchen remodel.
See below for some of the benefits when choosing cabinet painting versus a full-scale kitchen renovation:
- Avoids the hassle of demolishing old cabinets and installing new ones
- Provides a more affordable alternative to installing new cabinets
- Allows you to keep the same kitchen layout
- Gives you an eco-friendly peace-of-mind knowing you’re not wasting materials
Cabinet Painting vs. Refinishing vs. Refacing vs. Replacement
Painting is not the right solution for every kitchen. The best option depends on the condition of the cabinets, the look you want, whether you want to keep the existing doors and layout, and how extensively you want to change the kitchen.
| Option | What Changes? | Best Suited For | Consider Another Option When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinet Painting | Existing cabinet surfaces receive a new painted finish | Structurally sound cabinets when you want a new color and updated appearance | Cabinets have significant structural damage or you want a different layout |
| Cabinet Refinishing | The existing cabinet finish is refreshed or changed while retaining the cabinetry | Sound cabinets when you want to preserve or update the existing cabinetry rather than replace it | Cabinet boxes or components are significantly damaged |
| Cabinet Refacing | Existing cabinet boxes remain while visible surfaces, doors or drawer fronts are changed | Homeowners who want to keep the basic cabinet layout but change more than the finish | You only need a new painted finish or want to completely change the kitchen layout |
| Cabinet Replacement | Existing cabinets are removed and new cabinetry is installed | Damaged cabinets, major layout changes, or homeowners who want completely new cabinetry | Existing cabinets are structurally sound and the primary goal is changing their appearance |
Heiler Painting specializes in professional kitchen cabinet painting and cabinet refinishing. Refacing and full cabinet replacement are included here to help homeowners understand the differences between common kitchen cabinet improvement options.
See what our customers think about our kitchen cabinet painting services
Kitchen Cabinet Painting FAQs
How much does kitchen cabinet painting cost?
Typical Heiler Painting kitchen cabinet projects range from $4,000 to $7,000, with cabinet doors and drawers typically priced at $150 each. The final price depends on the number of doors and drawers, cabinet condition, preparation requirements, kitchen size, and overall project scope.
What type of paint or finish is best for kitchen cabinets?
Kitchen cabinets need a coating system designed for frequent handling and cleaning. The appropriate primer, coating, and sheen depend on the cabinet material, existing finish, desired appearance, and manufacturer requirements. Heiler evaluates the cabinetry and project goals before determining the appropriate system.
Can Heiler help me choose a kitchen cabinet color?
Yes. Cabinet colors should complement the countertops, backsplash, flooring, walls, trim, lighting, and adjoining spaces. Homeowners who want additional help coordinating their palette can use Heiler’s professional color consultation services.
How long does kitchen cabinet painting take?
Project duration depends on the number of cabinet doors and drawers, kitchen size, cabinet condition, preparation and repairs, products being used, drying requirements, and overall scope. Your project estimate should include an expected schedule based on your specific kitchen rather than relying on a universal timeline.
How long do painted kitchen cabinets last?
There is no single lifespan that applies to every painted cabinet project. Durability depends on cabinet material and condition, preparation, coating system, curing, frequency of use, cleaning methods, moisture exposure, and ongoing care. Following the recommended cleaning and maintenance instructions can help protect the finished surfaces.
Recent Kitchen Cabinet Painting Projects
