Kitchen cabinet painting in Toronto is one of the biggest changes you can make to a home for the money. Dated oak, yellowed white or tired melamine cabinets can look new again, as long as the prep is done properly. That is where most cabinet paint jobs fail, and where Lumen Painting spends the most time.
We remove the doors and hardware, degrease and sand every surface, use a bonding primer and finish with a cabinet-grade enamel made for heavy use. The estimate is free, and the work is covered by a written workmanship warranty.
What is included
- Cabinet doors, drawer fronts, boxes and end panels
- Kitchen islands, bathroom vanities and built-ins
- Doors and hardware removed, labelled and reinstalled
- Degreasing and sanding of every painted surface
- Bonding primer for wood, MDF and laminate where suitable
- Cabinet-grade enamel in your choice of colour and sheen
- Hardware upgrade installation if you choose new pulls
- Countertops, floors and appliances protected
How we do it
- Inspect and sample
We check the cabinet material and condition and show you colour and sheen samples.
- Remove and label
Doors, drawer fronts and hardware are removed and labelled so everything goes back where it came from.
- Degrease and sand
Kitchen grease is the main reason cabinet paint peels, so every surface is degreased and scuff-sanded.
- Prime and paint
A bonding primer, then smooth coats of cabinet-grade enamel on boxes, doors and drawer fronts.
- Reinstall and adjust
Doors and hardware go back on, hinges are adjusted and we go over the kitchen with you.
Paint or replace your cabinets?
If the cabinet boxes are solid and the layout works for you, painting is usually the better choice. Replacing cabinets means a renovation: demolition, new boxes, often new countertops and a kitchen out of action for weeks. Painting keeps what works and changes how the kitchen looks. If the boxes are water-damaged or falling apart, replacement makes more sense, and we will tell you so at the estimate. Read more in painting vs. replacing kitchen cabinets.
Why prep decides how long the finish lasts
Cabinets are touched every day and wiped often. Paint fails on cabinets when it goes over grease or glossy surfaces without proper cleaning, sanding and a bonding primer. A cabinet-grade enamel then levels out smooth and cures hard. It feels dry within hours but keeps hardening for a few weeks, so we will tell you how gently to treat the doors at first.
Living with your kitchen during the job
Expect your kitchen to be partly out of use while the boxes and doors are being painted. We plan the steps so you can still use the sink and fridge where possible, and we give you the schedule before we start. Many clients pair cabinet painting with interior painting of the kitchen walls and ceiling.
What affects the price
- Number of doors and drawers
- Cabinet jobs are mostly priced by the number of doors, drawer fronts and boxes.
- Cabinet material
- Solid wood, MDF and laminate need different prep and primers.
- Condition
- Grease build-up, peeling old paint or damaged edges add prep and repair.
- Colour
- Two-tone kitchens, such as a dark island with white uppers, mean more colours to manage.
- Extras
- Glass-front doors, open shelving, crown moulding and new hardware add time.
Every quote is free, written and based on a visit, so you know the full price before any work starts.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting questions
How long does kitchen cabinet painting take?
It depends on the number of doors and drawers and the drying time between coats. Most kitchens take several days from removal to reinstallation. Your quote includes a schedule.
Can you paint laminate or melamine cabinets?
Often, yes, with the right cleaning, sanding and bonding primer. We check the material at the estimate and tell you honestly if painting will hold up.
Will the paint chip?
Proper degreasing, sanding, a bonding primer and a cabinet-grade enamel give a durable finish. The paint keeps hardening for a few weeks, so treat the doors gently at first.
Do you paint the inside of the cabinets?
Usually we paint the outside of the boxes, doors and drawer fronts. Interiors can be added to the quote if you want them painted.
Can you install new hardware?
Yes. If you choose new pulls or knobs, we can install them when we reinstall the doors.
