Cabinet painting in Milpitas, CA

The process

Doors and drawer fronts are removed, labeled and usually sprayed in a shop. The boxes are cleaned, scuffed, primed and sprayed or brushed on site with the room masked off.

Coatings and wear

Urethane-modified enamels and catalyzed lacquers hold up far better than wall paint. Open-grain oak shows texture through paint unless grain filler is applied first.

Painter's vocabulary

Deglosser: a liquid that dulls a glossy finish so primer sticks. Bonding primer: a primer made for slick surfaces. Cure time: how long the finish takes to reach full hardness, often longer than dry time.

Permits in Milpitas

Milpitas requires a building permit for remodeling and repair work on homes, and the permit has to be issued before work starts, even if the plans are already in review.
Separate plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits cover installing, replacing or relocating sinks, gas lines, wiring and hoods. Finish work such as painting, tiling, cabinets and countertops does not need a building permit.
Kitchen remodel permits are among the permits the Office of Building Safety offers online. A property owner can pull a permit for any work; a licensed contractor pulls it as the owner's agent for work the license covers.

City of Milpitas Office of Building Safety · 455 E. Calaveras Blvd, (408) 586-3240

Common questions

Do painted cabinets chip?

Edges and areas around handles take the most wear. Good prep and a cabinet-grade coating keep chips rare and touch-ups easy.

Can I paint thermofoil cabinets?

Not reliably. Thermofoil that is peeling usually has to be replaced or refaced.