Kitchen cabinet painting in Redwood City, CA

Steps in a cabinet paint job

Doors and drawer fronts come off, get labeled and are usually finished off site. The boxes are degreased, scuff-sanded and primed in place with the rest of the kitchen masked off. Hinges and hardware are often replaced at the same time.

Choosing the coating

Waterborne enamels, urethane-modified alkyds and two-part catalyzed finishes all hold up far better than wall paint. Oak and other open-grain woods show their texture through paint unless a grain filler goes on first.

Finish terms

Bonding primer: a primer made to grip glossy or slick surfaces. Grain filler: a paste that fills the pores of open-grain wood. Sheen: how glossy the finish is, from matte to semi-gloss. Cure time: the days a finish needs to reach full hardness after it feels dry. HVLP: a spray system that lays down a smooth, even coat.

Permits in Redwood City

Redwood City requires a building permit for any work that section 105.2 of the California Building Code does not exempt; the City's FAQ names painting, flooring and similar finish work as typical exempt residential items.
Applications are filed online through the City's eTRAKiT portal. Residential interior remodels can qualify for One-Stop plan review, in which Building Division staff review the plans with the applicant at City Hall.
The City says plan review takes 6 to 24 weeks depending on scope. A permit is valid for 365 days from issuance, and each passed inspection extends it another 365 days.

City of Redwood City Building Division · (650) 780-7350, [email protected]

Common questions

Is painting cheaper than refacing?

Usually, since the original doors are kept. Written estimates for both on the same kitchen show the actual difference.

How soon can I use painted cabinets?

Often within a day or two of the last coat, but treat the finish gently until it has fully cured.