Call or Text: 941-350-1331
Email: FactoryFinishCabinets@gmail.com
Once you decide to refinish your cabinets it will be time to reach out to contractors and get some quotes. The cheapest quotes aren't always the best choice, and the most expensive option may not be the best either. You have heard, "Good labor isn't cheap, cheap labor isn't good." Here are some questions you should ask your contractor or yourself to help you make the best decision.
"How long will this project take?"
Most projects for Factory Finish Cabinets take 3-5 days. Half of that time we are our shop working on the doors we brought back from your home. The other half we will be working at your home.
Day 1- Pick up the doors and drawer fronts from the customers home to take to our shop.
Days 2-3 The work will continue at our shop until all the drawers and doors are finished and pass inspection.
Days 3-4 We will be back at your home and will start the transformation of your cabinet boxes.
Days 4-5 Time to bring back your doors and drawers, take all the plastic and paper down, put back the drawers and doors, put your appliances back, do a walk through, and give you back your space.
"Are you taking the doors and drawer fronts off to paint? Or do you leave them on?"
To get professional results we take the drawer faces, doors, hinges, and even the drawer guide rails off. You will not be happy if a company paints your cabinets and skips one of those steps, it will look sloppy.
"Where do you paint the drawers and doors at?"
We have a climate-controlled shop with a custom-built paint booth. This will allow us to get the best results possible for your cabinets. Some Contractors have a similar setup, some spray on site (in your home), and some will spray in your driveway with a portable paint booth. You can get good results in all the situations described above (usually), but if the weather isn't perfect (humidity, hot or cold) or a small hair lands on the wet paint, then there will be imperfections. Any other type of situation will not get you professional results.
"Is the primer color matching?"
I will show you a door with only primer on it and you will probably think it is the final coat. The primer we use is color matching. It is extra insurance in case you somehow chip your doors. Having the same color primer is a game changer for cabinetry. The primer will be applied at 3-4 wet mils as directed by the manufacturer. After the first layer of primer dries, we will sand, clean, and add another layer of color matching primer.
"How many layers of primer and paint do you apply?"
The paints and primers we use are from Italy and are Industrial/Commercial grade paints. We spray 2 coats of primer and typically 1 topcoat as directed by the manufacturer. All layers are applied at 3-4 wet mils. That is our recipe for most refinishing jobs. For new cabinets, we may test a sample and add an additional layer before we prime. If we have a situation where we need to fill the wood grain before we prime, then that will require some additional work. Some woods are more difficult than others and those may require more layers or a different type of paint/sealer. For example, there are dyes and tannins that can bleed through paints and primers. In those situations, we will isolate the problem, so it doesn't rise to the surface later.
"What type of paint do you use?"
There used to be two options: water-based paint and oil-based paint. Oil produced the best finish but is smelled bad for a while and it was not a "healthy" option (formaldehyde). Water-based was an option but it didn't hold up as good and took a while to dry. Now we have great options. For the last 3-4 years there have been some amazing breakthrough technologies involving water-based paints. In Laymans terms, the water-based paints actually encapsulate the oil particles, making some amazing results. The best water-based paints are 2k paints, this just means they are 2 parts and will be mixed prior to being sprayed, rolled, or brushed. The 2k paints are stronger, more chemical resistant, and will hold up longer to your family's abuse. They come from Italy, USA, or Canada. This paint cannot be purchased at Home Depot, and I suggest you do not use a paint other than a 2k paint or a superior cabinet paint. We are not using a "trim" paint, we are using a cabinet 2k paint from Italy. If you use a nice trim paint, it will chip off in 5 years.
"Do I get to keep the leftover paint"?
Yes, and for two reasons: In case it is needed in the future and proof that the Contractor used what they said they will use.
"Why is Spraying the paint the best option? Can't I have it rolled or brushed?"
Spraying the paint will leave professional looking results. Rolling will look nice, and brushing will not look nice. Make sure you use a company that is going to spray the paint. If you decide on a company that rolls the paint, have them bring a sample to show you.
"What is overspray and how does it concern the customer?"
As the painter applies the paint to the surface, they will use a spray gun that emits the paint. 100% of the paint being atomized by the spray gun does not go onto the surface, some of it lingers in the air and dries. This is called overspray. There are basically 2 ways to spray paint on cabinets: With a HVLP method or with an airless method. The HVLP (High Volume Low Pressure) produces less over spray and will require 30-45 more minutes to complete a typical kitchen. The airless spray gun will emit more overspray into the air but is quicker for more production. Both will produce a factory like finish if used correctly. The method we use is called HVLP with a pressure pot. It emits the least amount of overspray while still giving a great production time.
The paint we use is water based but it is still not safe to breath (while airborne). This is also a good reason to remove the doors and take them to our shop to spray. The paint is used in all 50 states and is a much better option that oil based. The VOCs are just as low as a normal wall paint. There will not be a lingering smell like an oil-based paint will have. Oil based paint has high VOCs and can smell up the house for days or weeks, also not allowed in some states. With the great waterborne paints available, I don't understand why anyone would still use oil based for cabinets. The VOCs in the paints we use are very low.
We will setup plastic walls and an exhaust system around the work area at your home. This will prevent any overspray from getting to you or your family. The amount of overspray is small, and we almost don't need to set up the whole exhaust system and plastic walls for the spray time portion but better to be proactive. The spraying portion times are usually brief, and you will hear our exhaust fans running while we are spraying. Also, all surfaces in the work area that are not getting sprayed are professionally covered with either plastic or paper. Once the airborne paint has left the area, (5 minutes after spraying) the hazard is gone. We leave the fans running to speed up the paint drying process on the doors, (about 30-45 minutes). The precautions are really for the sprayer/applicator, who is around the paint environment more often.
"What type of painter should I hire?"
The best thing you can ask for is, samples of their cabinet refinishing work. If they bring in wood samples that they have painted and you like what you see, then you will probably be happy with their work. Some painters are good at painting home exteriors, others are good at painting woodwork, and some can do both. Just make sure you check out their work with samples. Also, you can look at their reviews and pictures of existing work. BUT the samples are something you can touch and see up close.
At what point is it better to get new doors?"
You want to revive that kitchen or bathroom, but you don't want to spend big $$$$ right? Maybe the doors have an outdated design or have been refinished a few times. There are great options now and they are not expensive. We don't necessarily have to paint your existing doors; we can paint new ones and update your area with a new design. We will paint the boxes (the part that is attached to your home) and then get new doors and drawer faces. The new doors will make your area look amazing. Why don't we get soft close hinges and drawers too while we are at it, so your area feels completely new. Check out the sites below for new doors and hardware.
"How do I choose the right colors and sheen level?"
There is a great App for your phone by Sherwin Williams called, "COLORSNAP VISUALIZER". It is also on the Sherwin Williams Web page. If you start there, narrow it down to a couple colors and get samples. The color you see on your phone may be a little different from the real color so get the sample or have me get it and ill drop it off to you. We can simply roll some of that paint on pieces of wood to get an idea of what you like.
Another great App is by Benjamin Moore called, "Color Portfolio".
We will have our Italian paint Custom made to color match your chosen colors.
Sheen levels are: Flat, Matte, Satin, and Glossy. For most cabinetry we suggest Satin or Matte. Glossy is too shiny but there is a place for it sometimes. I will bring samples for you to see.