Many older Detroit kitchens have solid wood or site-built cabinets that are sturdier than what is sold today. Those are well worth painting. Doors and drawer fronts come off, every piece is cleaned, sanded and primed, and a hard enamel goes on for a finish that stands up to daily use.
Kitchens in older Detroit homes often still have their first cabinets. Some are solid wood boxes built in place by a carpenter, with face frames nailed to the wall. Others are the steel units that were popular in mid century houses. Both kinds are strong and both can be painted, though they need different primers. At the estimate we open the doors, check the hinges and look at how the old finish is holding. Cabinets that are swollen from water or coming apart are better replaced, and we will say so.
Painting cabinets is slower and fussier than painting a wall. Doors and drawer fronts are taken off and numbered so each goes back to its own opening. Kitchen grease is removed with a degreasing cleaner, because nothing sticks to it. Every piece is sanded, primed with a bonding primer and sanded again. The finish is a cabinet enamel that levels out and dries hard. Frames are painted in place with the counters, floor and appliances masked off.
Expect to be without full use of the kitchen for several days. The boxes stay on the wall, so you can still reach dishes and food, but the doors are away drying. Enamel feels dry within hours and keeps hardening for some weeks after that, so we ask you to be gentle with the doors at first. Color and sheen are agreed before we start, and we can paint a sample door for you to live with. The written quote counts every door and drawer.
Cabinet painting in Detroit: common questions
Can the old steel cabinets in my kitchen be painted?
Yes, if the metal is sound. Rust spots are sanded out and primed with a primer made for metal, then the cabinets are finished in enamel. Deep rust at the sink base is the usual trouble spot, and we check it before quoting.
Will painted cabinets chip?
Any painted surface can chip if it is struck hard. Good cleaning, sanding, a bonding primer and a real cabinet enamel make chips far less likely. The paint also needs time to harden fully, so gentle use during the first weeks helps it last.
Can you change the handles and hinges at the same time?
We can take off the old hardware and fit the new pieces you supply when the doors go back. If the new handles use different hole spacing, tell us early. The old holes are filled and sanded before priming so they do not show.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We walk the job and measure.
- Written quote: Prep, paint and price in writing.
- Prep & protect: We cover floors and furniture, repair and prime surfaces.
- Paint & walk-through: Two coats, clean lines, full clean-up and a final walk-through.