From the Team at DeHaan Painting – Charlotte, NC
When you search for someone to paint your kitchen cabinets, the natural instinct might be to call a house painter. After all, paint is paint, right?
Not quite.
Refinishing kitchen cabinets requires a completely different skill set, process, and product knowledge than painting walls or trim. At DeHaan Painting, we specialize in cabinet refinishing—and we’ve seen firsthand how choosing the wrong contractor can lead to costly mistakes.
Here’s what homeowners often don’t know when they start their search for a cabinet finisher:
🎯 Cabinet Finishing Is Its Own Trade
Cabinet refinishing sits somewhere between traditional painting and fine woodworking. It involves detailed prep, precise spray application, and often, commercial-grade coatings that aren’t used on standard interiors.
Hiring a “painter who also does cabinets” might work for a spare bathroom vanity—but for your main kitchen, it’s not worth the risk.
🧼 Proper Prep Is 80% of the Work
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Prep is everything,” and when it comes to cabinets, that couldn’t be more true.
Here’s what professional cabinet prep includes (and what many house painters skip):
- Degreasing and cleaning all surfaces with specialty cleaners
- Mechanical sanding and abrasion to promote adhesion
- Filling gaps and grain (if requested) for a smooth finish
- Masking and protection of counters, floors, appliances, and hardware
- Dust control measures to maintain a clean, safe environment
At DeHaan Painting, we treat your kitchen like a job site—not just another room in the house.
🧼 Proper Prep Is 80% of the Work
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Prep is everything,” and when it comes to cabinets, that couldn’t be more true.
Here’s what professional cabinet prep includes (and what many house painters skip):
- Degreasing and cleaning all surfaces with specialty cleaners
- Mechanical sanding and abrasion to promote adhesion
- Filling gaps and grain (if requested) for a smooth finish
- Masking and protection of counters, floors, appliances, and hardware
- Dust control measures to maintain a clean, safe environment
At DeHaan Painting, we treat your kitchen like a job site—not just another room in the house.
💨 Spraying Makes All the Difference
Brushing and rolling cabinets will never match the quality of a sprayed finish. The texture, smoothness, and consistency just aren’t the same.
As a professional cabinet painter in Charlotte, DeHaan Painting sets up controlled spray environments using HVLP or airless systems with fine-finish tips to deliver a smooth, factory-level result—right in your home.
🛑 Red Flags When Hiring a Cabinet Painter
When comparing cabinet painting vs refinishing, it’s important to know the difference—and to spot warning signs that a company isn’t truly specialized. Keep an eye out for these red flags:
- They don’t mention degreasing or sanding
- They plan to brush or roll the finish
- They use wall paint or trim enamel
- They can’t explain their coating system
- They can’t explain if the coating is 1k or 2k
Kitchen cabinets are one of the most visible and used features in your home—you want to get this right.
✅ What You Should Ask Instead:
- What coating system do you use for cabinets?
- Do you spray or brush the finish?
- Can you walk me through your prep process?
(see https://dehaanpaints.com/charlotte-kitchen-cabinet-painting for ours) - How do you protect my kitchen during the project?
- How long will the finish last—and what should I expect over time?
👷♂️ Why DeHaan Painting?
At DeHaan Painting, we’ve built our reputation in Charlotte, NC by focusing on high-end, detail-driven cabinet refinishing. We’re not just trying to make your cabinets look good for a few photos—we’re delivering a finish that holds up for years to come.
Whether you’re modernizing an oak kitchen, updating builder-grade cabinets, or revamping a dated finish, we bring the right tools, products, and expertise to do it right the first time.
Ready to see how beautiful your kitchen cabinets can look?
Don’t settle for a quick paint job that won’t last. With DeHaan Painting, you’ll get a factory-quality cabinet finish that’s durable, smooth, and built to handle daily life. And, if you’re planning ahead for seasonal home improvement projects — from cabinet refinishing to exterior painting or even holiday light installation — DeHaan Painting can help you schedule the right service at the right time of year.
👉 Contact us today for a personalized quote, and let’s talk about how our professional cabinet refinishing process can transform your kitchen into a space you’ll love for years to come.
Helping Thousands of Families in Plaza Midwood, Noda, Chantilly, Dilworth, Elizabeth, Myers Park, South Park, Barclay Downs and Surrounding Areas.
DeHaan Painting
“Charlotte’s Premier Painter”
Dock, Deck, Fence Staining – Interior House Painting – Exterior House Painting – Kitchen Cabinet Painting – Limewash Applications – Commercial Painting – Christmas Light Installer
Phone: (980) 224-3191
Email: info@dehaanpaints.com
