Cabinet Painting in Shoreview, MN: What to Expect

A lot of Shoreview kitchens still have the oak or stained cabinets they were built with in the 1970s and 80s. The boxes are usually solid, the layout works, and the only thing that feels dated is the finish. Painting them is a way to change the look of the kitchen without tearing anything out.

Here is how cabinet painting works when I do it, and what decides whether the finish holds up.

Is your kitchen a good candidate?

Painting makes sense when the cabinet boxes and doors are sound and you are happy with the layout. It is not a fix for swollen particleboard, doors that have delaminated, or water damage under the sink. Those get looked at during the estimate, and I will tell you if something should be repaired or replaced first.

Prep is most of the job

Cabinets get touched, wiped, and bumped more than any other painted surface in the house, so prep matters even more here than on walls:

• Doors and drawer fronts come off and are labeled so every piece goes back where it came from.
• Degreasing. Years of cooking leave a film on cabinets, especially near the stove. Paint will not bond to grease.
• Sanding to dull the old finish so primer has something to grip.
• Filling dings and, if you want a smoother look on oak, the grain can be discussed during the estimate.
• Priming with a bonding primer suited to the existing finish.
• Masking and protection for counters, floors, and appliances while the boxes are painted in place.

Finish coats and cure time

Cabinet finishes are chosen for hardness, not just color. We use Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, and Hirshfield's products. Paint can feel dry within hours but takes longer to fully cure, so doors are handled gently at first and hardware goes back on once the finish can take it. You will get care instructions for the first few weeks at the walkthrough.

Living with the kitchen during the project

Your kitchen is not fully usable while the work is going on. How long depends on the number of doors and drawers, repairs, and the finish you choose, so the schedule is written into your estimate before anything starts.

Decisions to make before your estimate

• Color and sheen. Lighter colors show less wear on edges; satin and semi-gloss finishes wipe clean more easily than flat finishes.
• Hardware. Keep it, or switch to new pulls. If new hardware has a different hole spacing, that is easier to plan before painting.
• Islands and built-ins. An island in an accent color, or a matching bathroom vanity, can be on the same scope.

If you are unsure about color, you can try options on a photo of your kitchen with the free ColorVision tool.

Getting an estimate in Shoreview

Cody personally estimates, performs, and completes the final walkthrough for every project. Advanced Painting does not subcontract work. You get one accountable point of contact, a written scope, clear scheduling, careful prep, and a final walkthrough, backed by a 3-year written warranty.

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• See past projects

Get a Free Estimate or call or text Cody at (763) 290-2786.