Previously Painted Cabinets: When to Strip & When to Replace

Step #1:  Determine Existing Wood Coating

At A La Carte Cabinet Painting, we focus on options and flexibility. We understand the importance of evaluating the current wood finishes on your cabinets to determine if a complete strip is necessary before using our water-based products. The examination of the paint's age and the quality of the preparation performed are key factors in deciding whether stripping or repainting is the most suitable approach. If the previous paint was applied in the last 5 years, it is less probable that a complete strip is needed.

Step #2:  Assess Degree of Coating Failure

The extent of damage will determine the most appropriate course of action when it comes to the extent of refinishing work required. At times, there may be minor chips on the trim or edges that can be easily remedied by touching up with the original paint. A gentle sanding and a touch of paint are usually sufficient. If the chip is significant enough to reveal bare wood, the area needs to be smoothed down with sanding and properly treated with a coat or two of primer and paint. If there is visible wear and tear around the knobs/pulls commonly found on many acrylic or lates products, we sand down that area to bare wood, prime, and apply a topcoat. If there are multiple areas of damage on a specific item, it’s best to strip it down to bare wood and start anew.

Step #3:  Counting the Cost

After determining the degree of failure, A La Carte Cabinet Painting will give our best recommendation given the high labor cost associated with stripping entire pieces.  If it's considered minor wear and tear, we'll typically charge slightly more to refinish but not as much as stripping.  Significant wear and tear may call for the pieces to be entirely stripped to bare wood at which point we may recommend the option of getting new doors and/or drawers.  Sometimes we can split the difference and save most of the pieces and only have to order a few new items which is why we will always do an in-person consultation estimate for homeowners with previously painted cabinets.  Often, there's no black and white course of action and so we'll recommend the most budget-friendly option that makes the most sense for the homeowner.