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Renovating is expensive. Period. Cabinets aside, it seems every home upgrade and fit-out is costing more and more these days. We’re an Australian-based Gold Coast professional painting & decorating company, but doing what we do, and rubbing shoulders with other tradies on the tools, we’ve heard about the rising costs of materials and labour firsthand.
We decided to do a little digging ourselves. We found some data within Australia showing that some materials have begun to level off or so to pre-pandemic costs such as timber, but even then, these slowdowns are expected to be temporary with further booms soon to come depending on who you are to believe.
Government stimulus measures during the pandemic unleashed a construction boom, but this led to a perfect storm of rising costs affecting almost every single item and material needed to build and renovate.
But it is not just the materials, Australia’s construction industry has been facing intense labour shortages, leading to a significant rise in wages for skilled trades. The same problem can be seen in New Zealand, the UK, and North America.
There are fewer and fewer kids going into the trades, more and more skilled retirees leaving the workforce and less skilled workers entering due to visa shortage delays over the covid period. Those shortages resulted in a 5 to 8% increase in labour costs from last year alone—that is bound to have a knock-on effect on carpentry and cabinet makers. to have a knock-on effect on carpentry and cabinet makers.
On a Budget – Why Not Paint Your Cabinets Instead?
We are all looking to spruce up our homes when we can, especially around this time of the year with Christmas fast approaching. But if the rising costs of new cabinets have you rethinking that kitchen reno, do not worry—you are not stuck with your outdated look.
Painting your cabinets is a cost-effective alternative that delivers a fresh look without costing an arm and a leg, especially if you learn to do it yourself. We spoke to a couple of kitchen fitters in the area just to get a rough idea of how much new cabinets cost, and you are looking at anywhere from $10k to $20k in the Gold Coast.
But with the right preparation and a bit of elbow grease, a quality paint job can give your space a high-end feel at a fraction of the cost. Not only will you save thousands, but you will also have the freedom to choose custom colours and finishes that suit your style.
We are primarily interior house painters by trade and work closely with interior designers, and in doing so, we’ve seen an increase in demand for cabinet painting as a cost-effective alternative to full replacements. It is no secret painters make money from painting, duh, and we love people’s customs.
But we also recognise the value of a good DIY project and know money is tight now, so if you are ready to grab a brush and take matters into your own hands, we thought it a good idea to share 4 of what not to do when painting your cabinets.
1. Clean First and Clean Damn Good
Cleaning the cabinet is crucial and is non-negotiable. This cannot be emphasised enough. Your painting top coat sticks to your primer, and your primer needs to stick to your cabinet. There cannot be anything in between. No dust and certainly no grease.
The cabinets around your kitchen countertops are going to be covered in layers of cooking fats not always visible, and it is going to be seated deep into the grooves and nestled around the knobs and handles. Skip this step and the paint job will FAIL. You can find countless posts across the internet with unfortunate folk who skipped this part.
So, how to clean then?
Firstly, you need to remove all hardware with a screwdriver, they are high-traffic areas for greasy fingers, then head to your local hardware store and pick up the following:
- Krud Kutter, our favourite degreaser.
- Scrubbing brush (and maybe a toothbrush for hard spots if needed).
- Large packet of cheap rags/cloths.
- Drop sheets/newspaper (something to catch falling grease).
- Paper towels
Protect your countertop with your drop sheets, and spray the Krud Kutter liberally on each panel, allow to sit for 1-2 minutes, wipe away the first time using a paper towel as you are probably going to be taking heaps of grease off this swipe over.
Krud Kutter is powerful stuff but one clean is never enough. Repeat, be liberal with the spray again and allow to sit for 30 seconds or so, then get to work with a scrubber and put some real elbow grease in, the aim here is to really work it into all the grooves and crevices and loosen up any trapped gunk. Wipe it off with a clean new damp rag.
You need to repeat the process at least 5 times. More if needed. The surface must be free of any oils and grease, so save yourself a headache, we are talking from experience, do it properly and do it once.
2. Neglecting To Use a Primer
We have been seeing some information online stating that painted cabinets do not need to be primed. This is somewhat wrong so we will keep it very simple:
- Unpainted cabinets, I.E., just wood, must be primed.
- Cabinets painted with an oil-based paint must be primed.
- Cabinets painted with a water-based paint, do not need to be primed.
Why?
Unpainted wood may still contain small amounts of natural oils that come to the surface over time, paint does not adhere well to anything oily nor can it prevent them from bleeding to the surface over time. Secondly, the raw unpainted wood will suck up any paint coat you apply directly onto it, so you will not be saving any time by skipping out on priming anyway. Lastly, primed surfaces hold paint better and last much longer.
Cabinets previously painted in oil must be primed because water-based paints do not stick to them due to their slick water-repelling surface. Oil-based sticks to water-based, but water-based does not stick to oil-based. Most paints used nowadays are water-based.
Lastly, water-based sticks to water-based. No need for any additional layer in between, good sand is all that is needed to rough up the surface a little.
Wrapping It All Up
Painting cabinets can be a game-changer for your kitchen and it gets overlooked too often in our opinion – it pays to be savvy. Whether you are going the DIY route or hiring professionals, remember that preparation and attention to detail are key. By thoroughly cleaning and priming your cabinets, you are setting up a lasting finish that will elevate your space without the hefty price tag. Happy painting!
Imperial Painters is a Gold Coast business that is mainly interior-based but also has complete exterior work including roof from time to time and works hand in hand with a leading Gold Coast Roof Repair company to deliver a one-stop roof repair and paint solution. For more info and tips please kindly visit our website.
FAQ:
Painting your old cabinets is a cost-effective way to give your kitchen a fresh look without the hefty price tag of new cabinets, which can range from $10k to $20k in the Gold Coast. With the right preparation, a quality paint job can elevate your space significantly while allowing you to choose custom colours and finishes that suit your style.
The most crucial step is cleaning your cabinets thoroughly. You need to ensure there is no dust, grease, or any other residue on the surface. Skipping this step can lead to a failed paint job, so make sure to use a degreaser like Krud Kutter and scrub the cabinets multiple times to achieve a clean surface.
Yes, using a primer is essential for unpainted wood cabinets or cabinets previously painted with oil-based paint. Primer helps the paint adhere better and increases the longevity of your finish. If your cabinets are previously painted with water-based paint, good sanding is sufficient, and no additional primer is needed.
You’ll need a few key supplies: a degreaser like Krud Kutter, a scrubbing brush (and possibly a toothbrush for hard spots), cheap rags or cloths, drop sheets or newspaper to protect your countertops, and paper towels for wiping. Make sure to protect your workspace and be thorough in your cleaning process.
To avoid common mistakes, ensure you thoroughly clean your cabinets before painting and always use a primer where necessary. Pay attention to detail and take your time during the preparation process. A well-prepared surface is key to achieving a lasting and high-quality finish. Happy painting!
