Eighteen years ago, Tracy Sauer worked out something in furniture restoration that he still does on every kitchen: the first coat of primer has to be worked into the surface, not laid on top of it. A spray gun lays a film over the wood. A roller pushes the primer into the grain and fills the pores. Plain and simple, it bites better. That was the method then, and 945 kitchens later, it is still the method now. That is no accident. Rust-Oleum's data sheet for B-I-N lists brush

Wednesday's post laid out what a trained finisher actually works with: a rag for wiping stains and oils into the wood by hand, brushes — natural bristle for oil-based finishes, synthetic for water-based — a pad for French polishing shellac, and spray guns, plural: HVLP for fine, controlled work, conventional air spray from a pressure pot, air-assisted airless when production speed matters, airless when volume matters more than finesse. Plus the colour tools: pigment stains wi

Seems like every painter offers cabinet painting now. Open any feed and you'll see a hundred painters claiming they're good at it. Here's the thing: claims can be cheap when the work isn't. Kitchen cabinet painting is a skilled trade. Not a side service, not a wall with handles on it. And the difference between a finisher and a painter shows up in two places: in the finish, and in the claims companies make when they don't understand the work. A kitchen is not a wall A wall ge

You've probably seen the ads. Type in your kitchen cabinet painting project, answer a few questions, and "top-rated local pros" will compete for your job. It sounds like the easiest way to hire a painter or contractor — and the sites offering it spend a fortune making sure it's the first thing you find. Here's what actually happens after you press submit. Your request becomes a product Those websites are free for homeowners because homeowners aren't the customer — you are the

Every fall, the big paint companies name their Colour of the Year — and homeowners start picturing their kitchens in it. On October 14, Benjamin Moore announced its 2027 pick: Webster Green HC-130, a rich, classic green drawn from its Historical Collection. And Benjamin Moore isn't alone. Green is the story of 2027 almost everywhere you look: Sherwin-Williams chose a fresh green called Celery, Dulux went with Soulful Sage, and Canada's own BeautiTone (Home Hardware) picked a

If you're getting ready to list your home, the kitchen does more heavy lifting than any other room. Buyers decide how they feel about a house within seconds of seeing the kitchen photos — and the cabinets fill most of those photos. A full kitchen replacement before selling rarely pays for itself. But refinishing the cabinets you already have, in a colour buyers love, is one of the highest-return updates you can make. Here's what actually works, from someone who has refinished

Your kitchen is about to become the most-seen room in your house Think about where everyone gathers at the holidays. Not the living room — the kitchen. Guests drift in while you're cooking, kids camp at the island, someone always ends up leaning against the counter with a drink. And right now, your cabinets are the first thing all of those people will notice. A full kitchen renovation before the holidays? That's weeks of dust, demolition, and contractors in your house during

The straight answer: full service begins at $3,000 + tax At Spray It Like New, professional full-service cabinet painting begins at $3,000 + tax. That includes all labour and materials. For homeowners who want to do the in-home portion themselves, our DIY option starts at $1,400 + tax and includes the materials and tools needed for the customer’s use. Materials average about $400 per kitchen. Those are starting prices, not one-price-fits-all promises. Your final quote depends

How Long Do Painted Kitchen Cabinets Last? If you ask a cabinet refinisher how long painted cabinets last and they answer with a confident number — "fifteen years, guaranteed!" — be sceptical. Nobody can honestly promise that, because durability is not a property of a paint can. It is the result of an entire system: how the surface was prepared, what was put on it, how it was cured, and how it is treated afterward. Get all four right and a finish can look beautiful for a very

1K vs. 2K Cabinet Paint: Why Our Finish Is Infrared-Cured A durable cabinet finish is not defined by the biggest number on a label. The products, preparation, application, curing process and final wear layer all matter. The foundation is Zinsser BIN shellac-based primer, which etches into previous oil-based lacquer finishes for a stronger bond. At Spray It Like New, we use Gemini EVO Eclipse as a one-component (1K) cabinet coating — Gemini describes it as "1K simplicity, 2K p

A cabinet-painting quote can look simple: doors, boxes, colour and price. But the finish you will live with is determined by the system behind the quote—who does the work, how the surfaces are prepared, what products are used, where the removable pieces are sprayed and what happens if a problem appears later. Before you compare totals, compare the answers to the questions below. A professional cabinet refinisher should be able to explain each one clearly and put the important

Thinking about painting your kitchen cabinets? Here is what happens from preparation and spray-shop finishing to reinstallation—and why the full project usually spans 7–10 days Kitchen Cabinet Painting: What to Expect From Start to Finish By Spray It Like New A professionally painted kitchen should look fresh and refined, but the visible colour is only the final layer of the job. The quality of the result depends on what happens before the finish is applied: careful labelling

Hey there! Are you dreaming of a kitchen makeover but dreading the thought of a full renovation? We totally get it! Renovations can be expensive, messy, and time-consuming. But guess what? There’s a fantastic alternative that can transform your kitchen without breaking the bank or turning your home upside down. It’s called kitchen cabinet refinishing! Today, we’re diving into the top benefits of refinishing your kitchen cabinets and why it might just be the best decision you

Ready to give your kitchen a fresh new look without breaking the bank? We’re diving into the exciting world of kitchen cabinet refinishing and how you can optimize your costs like a pro! Whether you’re dreaming of a sleek modern vibe or a cozy classic feel, refinishing your cabinets is a fantastic way to transform your space. Let’s jump right in and explore how to get the best bang for your buck! Understanding Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing Costs First things first, let’s talk a

Are you ready to give your kitchen cabinets a fresh new look? We sure are! Most kitchen cabinets built from the 1960s to 2015 are finished with an oil-based lacquer. When it comes to refinishing or recoating these cabinets, choosing the right primer is crucial. Let’s dive into why an alcohol-based primer is your best friend! Why Choose an Alcohol-Based Primer? When we think about refinishing, we often overlook the importance of the primer! But trust us, it’s a game changer! A

Disclaimer: We utilize 1K products that are thinner and specifically designed for HVLP systems to achieve a finer, furniture-grade finish. When it comes to updating our kitchen cabinets, we want the best results without breaking the bank! That’s where proper atomization comes into play. This process converts liquid paint into a fine mist of micro-droplets. It’s crucial for achieving that smooth, professional finish we all desire! Why Atomization Matters Proper atomization dir

In-Shop Spraying Controlled Environment: The shop provides a controlled environment with more consistent temperature and humidity, reducing the risk of defects & adhesion in the finish. Quality of Finish: Professional-grade equipment can be used to achieve a high-quality, smooth finish. Efficiency: Spraying in a shop can be quicker due to the availability of specialized tools and techniques. Transportation however of doors back & forth does add time & cost to projects. Safety

Hey there! If you’re thinking about giving your kitchen cabinets a fresh new look without breaking the bank, you’re in the right place! Refinishing kitchen cabinets is a fantastic way to breathe new life into your kitchen. But, like any home project, the cost of kitchen cabinet refinishing can vary quite a bit. So, what exactly influences the price tag? Let’s dive in and explore the key kitchen refinishing cost factors that you need to know! Close-up view of freshly refinishe

We all know the kitchen is the heart of the home! But what happens when your kitchen cabinets start looking tired, outdated, or just plain worn out? Instead of diving into a full renovation, which can be costly and time-consuming, why not consider refinishing your kitchen cabinets? It’s a fantastic way to breathe new life into your space without breaking the bank. Let’s dive into the exciting world of cabinet refinishing and explore why it might just be the best decision you

Cross-linking waterborne polyurethane coatings are increasingly favoured for safeguarding and improving the appearance of kitchen cabinets. Each type presents distinct advantages and disadvantages. Let's examine the differences more closely to help you make an informed choice for your upcoming project. 1K: PROS Waterborne coatings are single-component, water-based products that are simpler to apply, dry quickly, and provide a smooth, factory-like finish when used in a small w