Cabinet Refinishing · May 2020
Kitchen cherry cabinets painted black
Kitchen cherry cabinets painted black. These are before, in-progress and after photos from the job, taken May 2020. This cabinet refinishing project was done by Larry Gaytos and the My Personal Painter crew. We are based in Florence, Kentucky, and our work is covered by a 2-year touch-up warranty.
Before and After Photos
Cherry Kitchen Cabinets Painted Black With Doors Finished in Our Shop
The before photos show a kitchen with reddish cherry-stained shaker cabinets, a matching island with corbels under the counter overhang, and new white and gray swirled countertops already installed. Doors and drawer fronts were removed, so the open boxes show their light maple interiors. In our shop, the stained doors are stacked on the floor with hinge cups still visible. Then they appear on drying racks with a smooth gray primer coat. Back in the kitchen, the counters, backsplash wall, windows and appliances are wrapped in paper, plastic and blue tape while the boxes and island are sprayed black. The finished photo shows every upper, lower and island cabinet in a deep, even black with clean shaker panel lines. The black sits sharply against the light marbled counters, stainless appliances and light gray walls, and the floors are still covered with protective paper.
How We Refinished These Cherry Cabinets, Step by Step
- We removed all doors and drawer fronts, labeled each one, and took them to our shop. Hinges and hardware were bagged so every piece went back to its spot.
- In the shop, the cherry doors were cleaned, scuff-sanded and sprayed with a gray primer. Gray primer under black helps the color cover evenly with fewer coats.
- After priming, the doors were sprayed with black finish coats and set on drying racks. Spraying in the shop gives a smooth finish with no brush marks.
- At the house, we covered counters, the backsplash wall, window, sink and appliances with paper and plastic, and taped the floor protection so overspray had nowhere to go.
- The cabinet boxes, face frames and island panels were cleaned, sanded, primed and sprayed black in place, including the corbels under the island overhang.
- Once the paint had cured enough to handle, we rehung the doors, set the drawer fronts, adjusted the hinges, and removed all the masking.
Paint Colors Similar to These Black Kitchen Cabinets
These are similar colors to consider for black cabinets and the walls around them. They are not the exact paint used in this kitchen.
Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black SW 6258
A true black very close to these finished cabinets. It looks sharp next to light marbled counters and stainless steel appliances.
Sherwin-Williams Perle Noir SW 9154
A soft black with a slight gray cast. It gives a black kitchen a little less contrast if pure black feels too strong.
Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray HC-170
A light, cool gray like the walls around these cabinets. It keeps a black kitchen bright and pairs well with white counters.
Questions About Painting Cherry Cabinets Black
Why are cabinet doors painted in a shop instead of the kitchen?
A shop setting allows doors to be laid flat, sprayed evenly and dried on racks without dust or foot traffic. That gives a smoother finish than brushing in place. It also keeps the kitchen usable longer, since only the boxes and frames are painted on site.
Will the red cherry color show through black paint?
Not with proper prep. Cherry and other stained woods can bleed tannins, so a good primer is used to block them. A gray or tinted primer also helps black cover fully. Skipping primer is the main reason red or orange tones show through dark paint later.
Are black cabinets hard to keep clean?
Black shows dust, crumbs and fingerprints a bit more than mid tones, but a satin or semi-gloss finish wipes clean with a soft damp cloth. Avoid harsh scrubbers. Paint keeps hardening for a few weeks after the job, so gentle cleaning during that time helps the finish last.
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