Paint Job on Custom Kitchen Cabinets vs. Semi-Custom Cabinets?

10 years ago

We're finally renovating the original kitchen in my 1972 era house. I know I want white shaker kitchen cabinets and I original thought to go with CliqStudios which is an online cabinet maker. From my research it seems their cabinets are well built, the customer service seems to be okay and I really liked the color and style of their shaker cabinet. Going with them would also be our most economical option. Recently we also talked to a cabinet maker who's price is about $6000 more but the cabinets would be totally custom which is very appealing and we started leaning towards using him. My biggest concern going with the custom guy (besides the price) is that I'm really concerned with the quality of the paint job. My thought is that a company or business, that all they do is make cabinets, their paint job has got to be a better and stronger finish than someone who makes beautiful cabinets but on a much smaller scale. Does anyone have experience or thoughts about this? Does anyone with custom painted cabinets notice their paint job isn't holding up well or the quality of the finish of the paint is somehow lacking?

Featured Answer

PRO

Anglophilia

10 years ago

Most cabinet companies have some sort of catalytic finish over the paint. Personally, my two choices would be that or hand painted by someone very good, using a high quality oil based semi-gloss paint. My own painted that way gave held up beautifully. I'm hopeful the factory paint dies as well.

On the other hand, a friend had her cabinets custom made by a local man, who also spray painted them as well. This was 13 yrs ago and the paint is flaking off the doors and drawer fronts. These will have to be taken off, sanded throughly and then repainted. Her husband thinks poor primer may be to blame, but who knows.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

User
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Cheepchinese Cliq vs. a back yard finisher is a ''neither'' choice. You have provided zero information about the custom guy and his finishing techniques or products. He could be a true custom guy, or, more often, he could be yet another appropriating and bastardizing the label.

A real mid grade cabinet line with a factory applied finish is the most durable option possible.
deed4
Original Author
10 years ago
Gee, Your question has showed me my ignorance. I'm really not sure about the custom guy's paint technique except we visited his large shop at the back of his home and he uses a sprayer and has a drying room. The type of paint seemed to be optional. He is truly a custom guy. He gave us a tour of his home and showed us his work which really was beautiful but most of his work is beautiful stained wood and not much was painted. Thanks so much for your reply!
Related Professionals
Columbia Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Galveston Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Ithaca Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Palm Desert Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Atlanta Kitchen Remodelers · Macon Kitchen Remodelers · Rocky Mount Kitchen Remodelers · Nashua Kitchen Remodelers · Madison Custom Countertops · Norfolk Custom Countertops · Ottumwa Custom Countertops · Elmira Custom Countertops · Newport Custom Countertops · Oshkosh Custom Countertops · Las Cruces Custom Countertops
cpartist
10 years ago
What about Ikea cabinets?
Emily Speight
10 years ago
We used cliqstudios cabinets in 3 projects in our last house. 2 were stained wood, 1 was the painted wood (linen). The painted cabinets withstood 2 children coloring on them with non washable crayons, colored pencil, 3 cats who loved to rub their faces on the corners and a very VERY busy work area.

After pricing the cliqstudios cabinets, the same kitchen in IKEA, and KountryWood Products (available through a local dealer), we've decided to go with cliqstudios again. The prices were exactly the same, IKEA doesn't come with plywood sides, they were only available as an upgrade on the KWP's and they come standard on the cliqstudios cabinets. Plus, I don't have to build the cliqstudios cabinets.

As for the finished - my parents went with a VERY high end custom cabinetry company (apologies, I don't remember the name) - white painted inset shaker style - the finish on their cabinets started looking like crap within 5 years. Places where the cabinet finish has chipped, or flaked off, discoloration, etc.
rococogurl
10 years ago
Painted cabinets vary a lot. Plain & Fancy, which I have, is known for their excellent painted surface and durability. It is a semi-custom, East coast line. My cabinets are 13 and look great and clean up beautifully. The painted surface is very tough. There has not been a chip or a crack.

That said, many paint cabinets with durable premium paints from Farrow & Ball and from Fine Paints of Europe. There is also Cabinet Coat. Cannot recall any complaints about cabinets holding up from any of these.