Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Understood. Do bear in mind, however, that some of those cabinets from the 40s and 50s were pretty bad. Edge nailed plywood, or metal cabinets that ring like a bell when you close the drawer. I've had some of that kind in apartments. Have also had some really nice built-in-place cabinets.
You got that right.
The rose-colored glasses view of kitchen design pre-1970 is strong here!
It's a lot of work to paint cupboards correctly. But done correctly they won't turn into a mess. It's worth it to do it right. Don't skip any of the steps posted above, do some research on proper painting techniques. I did mine a few years ago and they are great. Then you have to also take care of them correctly as well.
I would probably hire someone to do it if I go that route. But that means it is doubly important that it last because I can't pay to have it fixed all the time.
I've done it a couple of times. The first time it was site built cabinets that were truly part of the kitchen walls, not hung on the walls. The previous owners had 'freshened' the cabinets with a cherry-stained varnish, the kind where the pigment is mixed in the varnish. Unfortunately, they had done an awful DIY job, probably putting on one thick coat instead of a couple thin coats, so there were slubs and drips. I hired a proper painter to go the white cabinet route and it was a miracle. Dark and drab to a bright white pleasant room. I spray painted all of the hardware and it looked great. In those days small black hinges and knobs were a 'thing'.
Then I did it at a second house. In that case the cabinets, again built in place, were so dingy. The interiors were just stained plywood and caught every bit of dirt and dust. Interior painting put down a nice smooth surface that was easy to wipe clean. This second time I went for a more muted color to the cabinets, sort of a very pale, soft neutral that was compatible with both the kitchen and the neighboring dining room. Great improvement and very practical. Letting professionals do it meant it got done right, but if I had been 20 yrs younger, it was something I would have tackled myself. Crawling into the cabinets was best left to some younger guys.
Edited to add: Laminates would be a different thing. They would be much more difficult to paint, in that a wet paint might cause some de-lamination. I am guessing spray painting might be the way to go there, again done by professionals, but at a higher risk to longevity.
I painted mine and they looked great and lasted. I would do it again but I would hire a pro. painting and if you had to touch up paint is far better than sitting with cupboards that you hate.
I painted mine and they looked great and lasted. I would do it again but I would hire a pro. painting and if you had to touch up paint is far better than sitting with cupboards that you hate.
Lotta truth there.
Hating where you live is a drag!
I hear you, but I don't think the POs' election to go with whatever they liked made them idiots. Not everyone finds vintage stuff attractive or shares your taste. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter because you bought the house as is
The main reason I call them the "idiot" POs (and I KNOW them, btw), is because they also replaced the original 1927 windows that had lasted until 1995, the year they decided to "update" but also used the cheapest materials because the husband was a known tightwad. As an old house lover, I would much rather have had the original, or once-updated cabinets to work with instead of the 90's oak crap I have now. And I would give anything to have the original windows back. They actually removed a window in the front bedroom and covered the hole with cheap paneling. Thankfully they didn't destroy the attic window - they just covered up the 2 side windows with vinyl siding. I have since uncovered the beautiful triple original window and restored it. BTW, I bought the house "as is" because it was supposed to be an investment, until I researched who built it and when, and the house's strong connection to the original community here and the adjacent Naval base. I fell in love with the house, and it will be my forever home - it's 90 years old this year!
One thing I would say is, take the doors off and do them in the garage (or equivalent). I've done it the other way and never again!
Good tip! I'm planning to either do that or take them off and have my usual painters do them instead. I feel confident about painting the cabinets themselves, but a little less so about the doors, because any flaws will show up so easily.
Good tip! I'm planning to either do that or take them off and have my usual painters do them instead. I feel confident about painting the cabinets themselves, but a little less so about the doors, because any flaws will show up so easily.
Take the doors off, paint the back sides first, then flip over and do the front sides. Do them all horizontally, and you will avoid drips and runs, plus you can get them well lighted so you can see what you're doing and do a better job.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
