Total Finishing Supplies

Professional Finishing

You are not logged in. [ Login ] Why log in
(NOTE: Login is not required to post)

re color kitchen cabinets

2/14/15       
tom Member

One of my customers asked me today if we could change the color of her kitchen cabinets. Told her I would get back with her on that. They are factory cabinets from Merrill with the typical factory finish.Color is
like a golden on maple wood.She wants a off white.Would sanding at 180 grit,then a vinyl primer and finish with the pigmented lacquer.Looking for suggestions and if anyone has done this. This would be the first one for me.

2/14/15       #2: re color kitchen cabinets ...
David Yurk  Member

Website: http://www.crockettscabinetry.com

We have done some work like this and had some disastrous results. Now when people ask me to do jobs like this I run, not walk, away. They are fraught with peril, especially if you have no experience or training with this particular kind of work. If you do take it, consult with your finish supplier or anyone else who can give you insight. Surface prep is critical and if not done correctly, you could be opening up a pandora's box.

2/14/15       #3: re color kitchen cabinets ...
Leo G

Ask then what they clean the cabinets with. If anyone mentions Pledge then flat out refuse to do it. It will be a nightmare.

Otherwise a white vinyl sealer and then a coat of paint should do. But onsite painting can be very tedious. Whatever you think you are charging for the onsite painting, add 50%

2/15/15       #4: re color kitchen cabinets ...
Nick

I've done lots of jobs like that and can second some of the remarks: prep is key; make a test on the back of a lower door or drawer first to see what you might be getting yourself into, then clean (the importance of a clean substrate can't be overstated!), sand, prime and finish...Lately I've switched over to WB finishes for onsite re-dos for the obvious reasons...low voc's, less odor, not flammable and compatible with most finishes you'll be going over (no danger of lifting the old finish)... that's not to say they are fool proof as stuff can still go wrong with WB's as well.
And what Leo said: it's time consuming; taking off and replacing doors and drawer fronts, hauling them to the shop and then bringing them back, masking and possibly dealing with stuff in the cabinets add up time wise in a hurry.

2/15/15       #5: re color kitchen cabinets ...
tom Member

Thanks for the info everyone.
Now for the guys that have done this before and have had good results,what is the process you use and products you used.This is hard to bid also. The doors I will take back to my shop but will have to do the face frames onsite.

2/15/15       #6: re color kitchen cabinets ...
Robert Member

Scrub down quite well with Paint Thinner and a Purple Scotch Brite Pad. Repeatedly rinse so you don't end up transferring the goo elsewhere.
Yes; bidding is hard.

2/15/15       #7: re color kitchen cabinets ...
Dave Edgerton  Member

If it were me and we have done what others have said before, I would now just tell them I would replace the doors with new and reface with 1/4 solid wood and restain if face frames, add end panels and new doors. less hassle with old finishes.

2/21/15       #8: re color kitchen cabinets ...
Sean

Website: http://www.jacksonswoodfinishing.co.uk

I'vef done quite a few kitchen strip/refinishes and of course without a doubt the fixtures are what take the time to fully clean and mask up. I normally charge for 2 days labour even if it looks like 1.5.

Masking is king, big rolls when necessary. I use a HVLP system so overspray is fairly minimal. Can't remember the last job that I had overspray probs. There's always the barrier primer route if you don't want to strip after cleaning down the substrates but obviously samples are the way to go, not winging it! Tell the customer it's probably going to smell bad and the kitchen is going to be wrapped up for a day or son. Of course WB products are low odour. I use AC lacquer (CV) and make sure they know it needs ventilation and could be uncomfortable to be around - but that's just my way.

Sean

2/26/15       #9: re color kitchen cabinets ...
Chaim Gottesman

Website: https://www.flickr.com/photos/chaimgottesman/sets/

I have redone several kitchens and prep is key.
another factor is like Leo said, what they use for cleaning products.
I recently refinished cabinets which I had already refinished after the client ruined the finish on them after a year or so.
unfortunately they seemed to be cleaning the doors with some nasty solvents and ammonia products.
Of course I had warned them to only use a sponge of soft cloth with a mild detergent to clean with (no scrubbing either).
In any event It was a nightmare cleaning off the residue and respraying.
BTW the finish the client wanted was a latex paint so it was doubly disastrous.
Always put in writing clear cleaning instructions so there is no claims of "you never told me that!"
Chaim


Post a Response
  • Notify me of responses to this thread
  • Subscribe to email updates on this Forum
  • To receive email notification of additions to this forum thread,
    enter your name and email address, and then click the
    "Keep Me Posted" button below.

    Please Note: If you have posted a message or response,
    do not submit this request ... you are already signed up
    to receive notification!

    Your Name:
    E-Mail Address:
    Enter the correct numbers into the field below:
     

    Date of your Birth:



    Return to top of page

    Buy & Sell Exchanges | Forums | Galleries | Site Map

    FORUM GUIDELINES: Please review the guidelines below before posting at WOODWEB's Interactive Message Boards (return to top)

  • WOODWEB is a professional industrial woodworking site. Hobbyist and homeowner woodworking questions are inappropriate.
  • Messages should be kept reasonably short and on topic, relating to the focus of the forum. Responses should relate to the original question.
  • A valid email return address must be included with each message.
  • Advertising is inappropriate. The only exceptions are the Classified Ads Exchange, Machinery Exchange, Lumber Exchange, and Job Opportunities and Services Exchange. When posting listings in these areas, review the posting instructions carefully.
  • Subject lines may be edited for length and clarity.
  • "Cross posting" is not permitted. Choose the best forum for your question, and post your question at one forum only.
  • Messages requesting private responses will be removed - Forums are designed to provide information and assistance for all of our visitors. Private response requests are appropriate at WOODWEB's Exchanges and Job Opportunities and Services.
  • Messages that accuse businesses or individuals of alleged negative actions or behavior are inappropriate since WOODWEB is unable to verify or substantiate the claims.
  • Posts with the intent of soliciting answers to surveys are not appropriate. Contact WOODWEB for more information on initiating a survey.
  • Excessive forum participation by an individual upsets the balance of a healthy forum atmosphere. Individuals who excessively post responses containing marginal content will be considered repeat forum abusers.
  • Responses that initiate or support inappropriate and off-topic discussion of general politics detract from the professional woodworking focus of WOODWEB, and will be removed.
  • Participants are encouraged to use their real name when posting. Intentionally using another persons name is prohibited, and posts of this nature will be removed at WOODWEB's discretion.
  • Comments, questions, or criticisms regarding Forum policies should be directed to WOODWEB's Systems Administrator
    (return to top).

    Carefully review your message before clicking on the "Send Message" button - you will not be able to revise the message once it has been sent.

    You will be notified of responses to the message(s) you posted via email. Be sure to enter your email address correctly.

    WOODWEB's forums are a highly regarded resource for professional woodworkers. Messages and responses that are crafted in a professional and civil manner strengthen this resource. Messages that do not reflect a professional tone reduce the value of our forums.

    Messages are inappropriate when their content: is deemed libelous in nature or is based on rumor, fails to meet basic standards of decorum, contains blatant advertising or inappropriate emphasis on self promotion (return to top).

    Libel:   Posts which defame an individual or organization, or employ a tone which can be viewed as malicious in nature. Words, pictures, or cartoons which expose a person or organization to public hatred, shame, disgrace, or ridicule, or induce an ill opinion of a person or organization, are libelous.

    Improper Decorum:   Posts which are profane, inciting, disrespectful or uncivil in tone, or maliciously worded. This also includes the venting of unsubstantiated opinions. Such messages do little to illuminate a given topic, and often have the opposite effect. Constructive criticism is acceptable (return to top).

    Advertising:   The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not an advertising venue. Companies participating in a Forum discussion should provide specific answers to posted questions. WOODWEB suggests that businesses include an appropriately crafted signature in order to identify their company. A well meaning post that seems to be on-topic but contains a product reference may do your business more harm than good in the Forum environment. Forum users may perceive your references to specific products as unsolicited advertising (spam) and consciously avoid your web site or services. A well-crafted signature is an appropriate way to advertise your services that will not offend potential customers. Signatures should be limited to 4-6 lines, and may contain information that identifies the type of business you're in, your URL and email address (return to top).

    Repeated Forum Abuse: Forum participants who repeatedly fail to follow WOODWEB's Forum Guidelines may encounter difficulty when attempting to post messages.

    There are often situations when the original message asks for opinions: "What is the best widget for my type of shop?". To a certain extent, the person posting the message is responsible for including specific questions within the message. An open ended question (like the one above) invites responses that may read as sales pitches. WOODWEB suggests that companies responding to such a question provide detailed and substantive replies rather than responses that read as a one-sided product promotion. It has been WOODWEB's experience that substantive responses are held in higher regard by our readers (return to top).

    The staff of WOODWEB assume no responsibility for the accuracy, content, or outcome of any posting transmitted at WOODWEB's Message Boards. Participants should undertake the use of machinery, materials and methods discussed at WOODWEB's Message Boards after considerate evaluation, and at their own risk. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages it deems inappropriate. (return to top)


  • Forum Posting Help
    Your Name The name you enter in this field will be the name that appears with your post or response (return to form).
    Your Website Personal or business website links must point to the author's website. Inappropriate links will be removed without notice, and at WOODWEB's sole discretion. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    E-Mail Address Your e-mail address will not be publicly viewable. Forum participants will be able to contact you using a contact link (included with your post) that is substituted for your actual address. You must include a valid email address in this field. (return to form)
    Subject Subject may be edited for length and clarity. Subject lines should provide an indication of the content of your post. (return to form)
    Thread Related Link and Image Guidelines Thread Related Links posted at WOODWEB's Forums and Exchanges should point to locations that provide supporting information for the topic being discussed in the current message thread. The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not to serve as an advertising venue. A Thread Related Link that directs visitors to an area with inappropriate content will be removed. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links or images it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    Thread Related File Uploads Thread Related Files posted at WOODWEB's Forums and Exchanges should provide supporting information for the topic being discussed in the current message thread. Video Files: acceptable video formats are: .MOV .AVI .WMV .MPEG .MPG .MP4 (Image Upload Tips)   If you encounter any difficulty when uploading video files, E-mail WOODWEB for assistance. The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not to serve as an advertising venue. A Thread Related File that contains inappropriate content will be removed, and uploaded files that are not directly related to the message thread will be removed. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links, files, or images it deems inappropriate. (return to form)