Cabinet painting changes a kitchen without replacing sound boxes and doors. It suits the original kitchens in south county bungalows and the oak cabinets in west county homes alike. Doors and drawers come off, everything is cleaned, sanded and primed, and a hard enamel goes on.
Kitchens around St. Louis fall into a few types. City bungalows and two family flats often still have the original site built wood cabinets, painted many times. County homes from the 1980s and 1990s in Ballwin and Chesterfield tend to have oak with a clear finish. Both can be painted well if the boxes are solid. Thermofoil and laminate are harder, and we will tell you honestly when a door is peeling and should be replaced instead of coated.
Doors, drawer fronts and hardware come off and are numbered so each one goes back in its own place. Every surface is degreased, because cooking residue is what makes cabinet paint fail. Then we sand, fill dents and old hardware holes, and apply a bonding primer. Open oak grain can be filled for a smoother look if you want that. The finish is a hard cabinet enamel, sprayed on the doors and brushed or sprayed on the frames, in two coats.
Plan on the kitchen being partly out of use for several days. You can still reach the sink and the fridge, but the boxes will be open while the doors are finished. Enamel feels dry within hours, yet it takes weeks to reach full hardness, and our humid summers stretch that a little. We ask you to treat the doors gently at first. The written quote lists the number of doors and drawers, the color and the sheen.
Cabinet painting in St. Louis: common questions
Can the old painted cabinets in my bungalow kitchen be redone?
Yes, in most cases. We sand out the drips and chips from earlier coats, prime and refinish. Where old paint is thick and failing, some stripping may be needed. Paint from before 1978 can contain lead, so that sanding is done with dust control.
Will the oak grain show through the paint?
A little, unless it is filled. Some people like the texture. If you want a flat, smooth door, we fill the grain before priming. We can do a sample door so you can see both.
How long before I can use the kitchen normally?
You can use the room during the job. Once the doors are back on, open and close them with care for the first few weeks while the enamel hardens. Wipe spills with a soft damp cloth and skip strong cleaners.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We walk the job and measure.
- Written quote: Prep, paint and price in writing.
- Prep & protect: We cover floors and furniture, repair and prime surfaces.
- Paint & walk-through: Two coats, clean lines, full clean-up and a final walk-through.