Cabinet Refinishing · Mar 2020
Oak cabinet doors sprayed in a spray booth
Oak cabinet doors sprayed in a spray booth. These are before, in-progress and after photos from the job, taken Mar 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
Light Wood Cabinet Doors Prepped for Spraying in a Dedicated Spray Booth
These photos show the shop side of a cabinet refinishing job, taken in Mar 2020. The doors are a light natural wood with arched raised panels, along with flat recessed panel doors and drawer fronts, all taken off the kitchen boxes and stacked along the wall. The work area is set up as a spray booth. Plastic sheeting forms the booth walls, paper is taped up behind the spray zone, and white test patterns on the paper show where the spray gun was checked before it ever touched a door. Tall white drying racks with rows of rods hold doors and drawer fronts flat while they dry. Cans of prep products sit on the floor beside rolls of tape. In the last photo, a crew member wearing a respirator and safety glasses sands an arched door with an orbital sander on a padded bench. A chocolate lab keeps the crew company in one photo.
How We Spray Cabinet Doors in Our Booth
- Every door and drawer front is numbered and removed with its hinges and hardware, so each piece goes back on the same cabinet later.
- We build the booth with plastic walls and taped paper, which keeps overspray contained and dust away from wet finish while doors dry.
- Each door is cleaned with a degreaser to remove kitchen oils, then scuff sanded on a padded bench so primer can bond to the old finish.
- Before spraying any door, we test the gun pattern on paper taped to the wall, adjusting the fan and flow for an even coat without runs.
- Primer is sprayed on the fronts, backs and edges of each door, then sanded smooth once it dries so the finish coats lay down flat.
- Finish coats are sprayed in light, even passes, and each door rests on the drying racks until it is ready to handle and rehang.
Popular Cabinet Colors for Light Wood Doors Like These
These are similar colors homeowners often consider for doors like these, not the exact finish color that was sprayed on this cabinet job.
Benjamin Moore Simply White OC-117
A warm white that covers light wood doors well and keeps arched raised panels looking soft rather than stark.
Sherwin-Williams Dover White SW 6385
A creamy white for anyone who wants painted doors with a hint of warmth that still nods to the original wood tone.
Benjamin Moore Newburyport Blue HC-158
A deep blue for a bolder look. Sprayed finishes show off rich colors like this with smooth, even coverage on panel doors.
Questions About Spraying Kitchen Cabinet Doors
Why spray cabinet doors in a booth instead of in the kitchen?
A booth keeps overspray, dust and fumes in one controlled space. Doors can lie flat, which helps avoid runs, and they dry on racks without anyone bumping them. Spraying also gives a smooth finish with no brush marks. The cabinet boxes in the kitchen are usually finished separately.
Can oak or maple cabinet doors be painted?
Yes, both can be painted with good prep. Oak has open grain that may show through paint unless it is filled first. Maple is smoother and paints very evenly. Either way, cleaning, sanding and a bonding primer are the steps that help the finish stick and last.
How long do sprayed cabinet doors need before they go back up?
Doors are usually dry to handle within hours, but most cabinet coatings take longer to cure fully, often a few days to a few weeks depending on the product and conditions. Painters rehang doors once they can be handled safely, and homeowners are asked to be gentle while the finish hardens.
Get a Free Estimate for a Project Like This
We’re not just a painting company. We’re your personal painter.