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Kitchen cabinet doors being sprayed sage green with masking on the worktop

Cabinet painting in Swindon

Cabinet painting in Swindon for kitchens that still have life in them

A smooth sprayed or brushed finish on your existing units, without ripping out the kitchen. Tell us what you have and we will say if it suits painting.

  • Doors, drawer fronts and frames
  • Degreased, sanded and primed first
  • Sound units kept, not replaced

Step 1 of 3

What needs painting?

What is kitchen cabinet painting?

Cabinet painting means refinishing your existing kitchen units rather than replacing them. The doors and drawer fronts are painted, usually by spray, and the cabinet frames are painted in place. Handles and hinges are removed first, and often replaced or refitted afterwards.

It suits kitchens where the layout works and the units are sturdy, but the colour or finish looks tired. Many Swindon homes have fitted kitchens from the 1990s and 2000s in oak, pine or cream, and cabinet painting is a way to bring those up to date. It is also popular in newer houses where the original units are in good condition but the style no longer suits.

Done well, cabinet painting in Swindon costs far less than a new kitchen and creates far less mess, because worktops, appliances and plumbing stay where they are.

How are cabinets prepared and painted?

Kitchen units get hard use. Grease, steam, hands and cleaning products all work on the surface, so the preparation is what makes the finish last.

  1. Remove doors, drawer fronts, hinges and handles, and label them.
  2. Degrease and clean every surface thoroughly.
  3. Sand and repair dents, chips and worn edges.
  4. Prime with a product suited to the material, such as wood, MDF or laminate.
  5. Spray or brush the finish coats in a hard-wearing paint, with drying time between coats.
  6. Refit the doors and adjust the hinges so they hang evenly.

Spraying gives a smoother finish than brushing, but it needs masking of walls, worktops and floors. Some work is done on site and some doors may be taken away to a workshop. We explain the plan before work starts.

Which kitchens suit painting and which do not?

Not every kitchen is a good candidate. Honest advice early saves money later.

Usually a good fit:

  • Solid wood and veneered doors in sound condition.
  • MDF doors with a smooth face or a shaker profile.
  • Frames that are solid and not swollen from water.

Often a poor fit:

  • Doors with peeling vinyl or foil wrap, where paint will not hold.
  • Swollen or crumbling chipboard near the sink or dishwasher.
  • Broken hinges, sagging drawers or a layout you want to change.

If the kitchen has deeper problems, new doors on the existing frames may be the better choice, and it is worth getting that opinion before you spend money on painting. We will tell you if we think your units are not worth painting.

The price is mostly labour and materials per door and per frame, so it grows with the size of the kitchen. Other factors include:

  • Number of doors, drawers and panels, including end panels and plinths.
  • Condition of the surface. Heavy wear, old varnish and damaged edges need more repair.
  • Colour. Moving from dark oak to a pale shade takes more coats than a similar tone.
  • Inside the cabinets. Painting insides and shelves costs extra.
  • Spraying set-up. Masking, ventilation and any workshop time.
  • New handles and hinges, if you want them replaced.

We quote in writing, with what is included stated clearly. For wider redecoration, you may also want to read about interior painting so walls and woodwork match the new cabinets.

How long does it take and what should you expect?

Most kitchens take several days, because coats need to dry and cure between stages. The kitchen is usually usable in part, though the doors are off for some of that time, and spraying means the room is out of action while it happens. Cooking arrangements are worth planning in advance.

Fresh cabinet paint stays soft for a while even after it feels dry, so it is sensible to treat the kitchen gently for the first days. Avoid heavy scrubbing and knocking the doors until the finish has hardened.

Call when your kitchen looks dated, scuffed or yellowed but the units are still solid. If you want to refresh the whole house, our Swindon Painting home page lists everything we cover, including exterior house painting.

How it works

  1. Tell us about the job

    Rooms or exterior, colours and timing.

  2. Visit and written quote

    We measure and price it in writing.

  3. Prep, paint, tidy up

    Floors and furniture protected, clean lines, cleanup.

  • Free written quotes
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  • Careful prep
  • Tidy finish

Step 1 of 3

What needs painting?

Questions about painting in Swindon

How long do painted kitchen cabinets last?

That depends on the surface, the paint and how well they are cared for. A properly prepared and sprayed finish can stay smooth for several years in a busy kitchen. Cabinets near the hob and sink take more wear. Wipe off splashes, avoid harsh abrasives and be gentle with the doors in the first weeks, and a good finish will last longer.

Can laminate or thermofoil doors be painted?

Sometimes. Smooth, well-bonded laminate can take a specialist primer, but it is a harder job than wood and results vary. Peeling foil or vinyl wrap is not suitable, and it is better to replace those doors. We check a sample of your doors before quoting and explain what we think will work.

Do you take the doors away?

It depends on the job. Frames are painted in place, and doors can be sprayed on site with the room masked, or taken to a workshop for a cleaner finish. We tell you which route we recommend before starting. Either way, the doors are labelled so each one is refitted in the same position.

Can you change the handles at the same time?

Yes. Old handles are removed before painting, and new ones can be fitted afterwards. If you change the style, old screw holes may need filling and repainting, and the quote will say so. Choose the handles before work begins, so we can drill and fit them correctly.

Is painting cheaper than a new kitchen?

Usually, because the units, worktops and appliances stay in place and there is no fitting or plumbing work. It only makes sense if the existing units are sound. If they are damaged or the layout does not work for you, new units may be better value. We will give you a straight view when we see the kitchen.

Will the kitchen smell during spraying?

There can be some odour while paint is sprayed and drying, so we ventilate the room and can use lower-odour products where suitable. Keep children and pets out of the kitchen while work is under way, and let us know if anyone in the house is sensitive to smells.

Ready when you are. Call now or request a quote online.

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