Make Sure The Coating Is Specifically Designed For Cabinetry and Woodwork
In practice, any paint can be put on cabinets, but not all paints are designed to meet the rigorous demands that kitchens can place on those coatings from years of use and abuse. Most homeowners don't know that there are different types of paint designed for different uses ie: wall paint, metal paint, cabinet paint.
Make sure your cabinet refinisher is using paints/ coatings that are specifically designed for cabinets. These coatings should be moisture resistant, chemical resistant, and non- yellowing. Many painters will claim that their coatings meet these standards but unfortunately that isn't true. Lacquer and trim paints like Emerald Urethane are not moisture resistant, will easily come off of your cabinets with acetone, and will yellow.
We use industrial two component wood coatings that are moisture resistant, chemical resistant, non- yellowing, and extremely durable. These coatings were specifically designed for cabinetry and woodwork and have gone through extreme testing by the manufacturer and ourselves.
Many paint manufacturers and painters will claim that their coatings meet the KCMA standards, but the KCMA does not test coatings, they test cabinetry and the coatings attached to the cabinets. One simple way to test is a coating will survive in your kitchen is to wipe with acetone. We know for a fact that our coatings will survive this test.
Prep Is Key
Inspection, Cleaning, Repairing, Sanding
Some painters do not take the time to thoroughly inspect, clean, repair, and sand when refinishing cabinets. Preparation is the MOST IMPORTANT part of the cabinet refinishing process. If not done correctly, your cabinets can look less than stellar and your coatings will eventually fail sooner than expected.
Make sure your cabinet refinisher thoroughly inspects, cleans, repairs, and sands your cabinets during the entire refinishing process. Before you hire anyone ask them about their refinishing steps. This is where the majority of the work happens in the cabinet refinishing process. If a painter is going to cut corners to save time and money, this is where they will do it.
Our Premium Cabinet Refinishing System does not allow for skipping any steps in the preparation process and is simply the best way to do it.
Know How Your Refinisher Will Apply The Coating
When it comes to cabinet refinishers there are two types; those that brush and roll and those that spray the coating.
If your cabinet refinisher brushes and rolls will there be brush or roller marks? How smooth of a finish will they achieve?
If your cabinet refinisher is spraying, how are they protecting your home and are they using a fine finish sprayer?
The highest quality finish is achieved with a fine finish sprayer because they are able to properly atomize the coating as it is being sprayed. What this means is the fine finish sprayers do a better job of breaking the paint into small droplets while it is being sprayed. The smaller droplets allow the coating to have a smoother finish when dry.
We only utilize the highest quality fine finish sprayers so we can provide the best finish for your cabinets.
Along with the information provided above in Top 3 Things to Look for in a Cabinet Painter; I'm attaching our checklist that we give out to clients when they are looking for a professional cabinet refinisher. We believe that even if you are not using us you should know what to look for and expect from whoever you hire.
