Can I Paint My Cabinets Myself?

May 4, 2023

While braving a cabinet job is certainly an option for any DIY enthusiast, as a professional painting company, we’ve seen one too many well-intentioned homeowners end up doing more harm than good. Painting your cabinets yourself can prove to be a pain for even the most competent hobbyist, and is not a project to take on lightly. We’ll answer some of the most common cabinet painting questions that we hear from our customers at Paul the Painter. It might just make you decide to hire this one out!



Do I Need To Sand Cabinets Before Painting Them?

YES! And prime them too! Unless you are starting with completely unfinished wood (which is a whole other deal), the previous protective coating on the cabinets must be sanded off and primed over to ensure proper adhesion so the paint doesn’t just peel away after drying. Not only do you need to sand and prep them - you’ll also need a drying rack and a good numbering system so you know which doors and hardware to put back where! Here at Paul the Painter, we’ve heard many customers breathe a sigh of relief when they see all the doors and drawers off, stacked, and numbered, then back in place looking fantastic!


Can I Use My Leftover Wall Paint On Cabinets?

We don’t recommend it. Cabinets require a paint that includes hardening agents that aren't present in most interior wall paints. You may have encountered painted cabinets that feel almost soft, sticky, or tacky (no, not from all the kitchen grease). This is because that layer of poorly-chosen paint never cured and hardened properly. Your friendly PTP pros can help you pick out the right paint in a color you’ll love (we recommend Benjamin Moore's Cabinet Coat) and then apply it properly for lasting results. 



Is It Better To Roll, Brush, Or Spray My Cabinets?

Currently, here at Paul The Painter, we brush and roll all of our cabinets with a special foam roller-head that leaves an ultra-smooth finish with almost no stipple (the texture in the paint left behind by the roller) but we can spray as well if you prefer. However, since we almost always work in occupied households, we find brushing and rolling to be the least invasive process for homeowners. The result always looks professional without the risk and mess of over-spray. 


Now is the perfect time to book your cabinet job with Paul the Painter!

Book your cabinet paint before May 31st, and we will paint your kitchen walls FREE! 

Click here to book a free estimate NOW!

How Do You Paint a Staircase?

By Paul Small • May 25, 2023
If you've never seen it d  one before, you may wonder : How do you paint a staircase? Stairways receive a lot of wear and tear as commonly used passages in your h ouse. This means painters like us get asked to paint them all the time. To ensure an excellent paint job and a safe work zone, we at Paul the Painter have a long list of tools and tricks we use to get the job done. This is a subtitle for your new post

Hiring a Painter: Making Sure You (and Your Stuff) Will Be Safe and Respected

By Paul Small • May 1, 2023
We know how vulnerable it can feel to let strangers into your home - not to mention ones who kindly request you move all your furniture so they can dive into corners and crannies you haven’t seen since you moved in. Here are our tips for hiring a painter you’ll love:

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Making A Statement: Accent Walls Do's & Don'ts

By Paul Small • November 17, 2022
W e’ve all been there before. Maybe it’s a rainy day and the D.I.Y. urge is calling. “Wouldn’t an accent wall be nice?” you wonder. “That’s nothing I couldn’t tackle. I have leftover paint in the garage!” But wait! There may be more to consider than you think. Before you grab your brush, let us give you a few pro tips. • Do Think Contrast : An accent color that’s simply a shade or two apart won’t pack a punch. In fact, no matter how different the samples appear, on a larger scale, you won’t even notice it’s there. We help clients choose colors that are boldly different, but still complimentary, for optimal results. • Don’t Wallpaper on a Whim : Traditional wallpaper is a nightmare to remove! The hours and dollars wasted towards getting a papered wall back to being paintable is no joke. These days, there’s “renter friendly” peel-and-stick wallpaper that employ a temporary adhesive. If you’re truly set on wallpaper, try (and remove) a sample area first with a temporary product. Be warned –anything adhered to your wall can do damage or leave unwanted residue, no matter how its advertised. • Do Get Inspired : Drawing color inspiration from your furniture or artwork is a great way to find your accent color. Again, contrast is your friend, so pick something small but significant to inspire your palette instead of something huge. Look online for some inspiration you can bring to your consultation with you. Here at Paul the Painter LLC, we love making our customers’ inspirations a reality! Visit us at www.paulthepainterct.com or call today for an estimate for your accent wall or paint project. Let a pro be your guide!

Change Happens From The Inside-Out!

By Paul Small • October 14, 2022
Painting Interior Doors In Your Home Is A Quick Way To Accent Or Add Character Without Painting An Entire Room! HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams The combination of Pewter Green (HGSW6208) and Austere Gray (HGSW6184) puts us in the mood to kick off our shoes and relax. To learn more about these comforting colors, visit: https://bit.ly/3eqyxY L Colors featured: Pewter Green (HGSW6208) & Austere Gray (HGSW6184) from our 2023 Color Collection of the Year, Vintage Homestead available exclusively at Lowe's Home Improvement .​​

Winter is Coming: Time to Paint Those Exterior Doors!

By Paul Small • October 10, 2022
At last, Autumn has come to New England! That means friends, family, and trick-or-treaters – all knocking at your front door. Which, due to more than a few seasons in the elements, is looking a bit shabby. Now is the perfect time to freshen up your front and exterior doors with a new coat of paint! Here’s why now is the perfect time according to the experts at Paul the Painter: 1. Baby, It’s (Getting) Cold Outside: Latex paints cure best in a cool (but not freezing) range of temperatures when humidity is low. Typical Fall conditions provide a brief window for both of these conditions. 2. Open House: To properly paint an exterior door, it’s necessary to remove and lay them flat for both painting and drying. That’s why we always make sure these jobs last only one day. By the time you’re ready for dinner, your door is back on its hinges, securely shut, and looking great! A temporary barrier will seal the door during the day with a special plastic sheet and exterior tape. This barrier is great in the warmer months but not quite as well during the Winter. 3. Spooky Season: Is your front door looking a little too much like a haunted house? We recommend painting your front or exterior doors every few years – maybe even more often depending on the color or its exposure to the elements. If you see tell-tale signs such as fading, cracking, flaking, or bare spots – it’s definitely time to give your door some professional TLC. 4. More than a Fresh Coat: When you hire our professional team, we don't just paint and call it done like an afternoon DIY. By tackling each layer of necessary prep work, we ensure long-lasting, great looking results. Sanding, light repair, hardware removal, coats of primer... - we do it all!  Leave the leg work to us, and you’ll have more time for cider sipping and pumpkin picking!