Can You Spray My Kitchen Cabinets for a Like-New Finish?
We often get asked the same question: “Can you spray my kitchen cabinets so they look brand new?” The short answer is yes – but it’s the long answer that matters. Spraying kitchen cabinets isn’t just a quick coat of paint. Done properly, it’s a careful process that transforms tired units into a factory-quality finish designed to handle years of cooking, cleaning, and daily use.
Across Cardiff – from family kitchens in Fairwater to stylish flats in Cardiff Bay – we’ve sprayed hundreds of cabinets that homeowners thought were past saving. And every time, the look on a customer’s face when they see the transformation proves why spraying is such a smart choice.
Why Spraying Cabinets Beats Replacing
Kitchen replacement is disruptive, messy, and expensive. Even if your cupboard frames are solid, most companies will encourage you to rip everything out. That means weeks of upheaval and thousands spent unnecessarily.
Spraying, on the other hand, lets you keep your existing cabinets but completely refresh their look. It’s quicker, less wasteful, and usually costs a fraction of replacement. And because the finish is sprayed rather than brushed, it has that smooth, even texture you’d expect from a brand-new kitchen.
What Really Goes Into Spraying Kitchen Cabinets
When people ask, “Can you spray my kitchen cabinets?”, they often imagine a tradesperson turning up with a spray can. In reality, here’s what a professional job involves:
- Full degreasing – Kitchens collect more grease than you realise. Even if surfaces look clean, invisible residue can ruin adhesion.
- Surface preparation – Doors are lightly abraded to give the paint something to grip.
- Priming – We apply a specialist adhesion primer tailored for kitchen use.
- Spraying off-site and on-site – Removable doors are usually taken to our workshop for a dust-free spray, while fixed panels are sprayed in place with protective sheeting.
- Multiple coats – Two to three light colour coats ensure depth and durability.
- Protective finish – The final coat is tough enough to resist knocks, steam, and cleaning products.
This isn’t just about looks. It’s about creating a finish that lasts through years of opening, closing, wiping, and cooking heat.
Case Study: From Oak to Modern Grey in Roath
Not long ago, we had a customer in Roath who asked: “Can you spray my kitchen cabinets? They’re solid oak, but the colour makes the whole room feel dark.”
We removed 18 doors and drawer fronts, degreased and primed them, and sprayed them in a light satin grey. The fixed end panels were carefully sprayed on-site. The result was a completely modern kitchen – without replacing a single unit.
The best part? The entire job was done in under a week, and the cost was less than a quarter of what she’d been quoted for replacement.
The Misconceptions People Have
We hear a lot of myths about spraying kitchen cabinets. Here are the most common:
- “It’s just like painting furniture.” – Not true. Kitchen paints need to withstand heat, grease, and daily cleaning.
- “You can spray over any surface.” – Wrong. Laminate and vinyl wraps need special prep, or the paint will peel.
- “It won’t last.” – With proper preparation and professional coatings, sprayed cabinets easily last 7–10 years.
Choosing the Right Colour for Cabinets
Colour is where the fun begins. Cardiff homeowners tend to lean towards greys, whites, and creams for timeless looks, but bold choices are on the rise. We’ve sprayed cabinets navy blue in Pontcanna, sage green in Whitchurch, and even matte black in Cyncoed.
One thing we always do is test a sample panel in the customer’s kitchen light. Cardiff’s natural light can make colours look different compared to a showroom swatch, and what looks perfect in the workshop may shift once in place.
What Spraying Costs Compared to Replacement
When people ask, “Can you spray my kitchen cabinets?”, they’re often surprised by how affordable it is.
- Small kitchen (8–10 doors) – From £600
- Medium kitchen (12–18 doors) – £850–£1,200
- Large kitchen (20+ doors) – £1,200–£1,800
That’s usually less than 25% of the cost of a full replacement. And the disruption? A few days of controlled work rather than weeks of building chaos.
Mistakes We Fix from DIY Jobs
Plenty of homeowners try to spray their own cabinets – and we understand why. But without the right prep, the finish rarely lasts. Common problems include:
- Peeling near handles – Caused by greasy fingerprints not being cleaned before spraying.
- Patchy colour – Trying to cover dark cabinets in one coat.
- Sticky finish – Using domestic paints that never cure properly in a kitchen environment.
We were called to a property in Llanrumney where someone had sprayed cabinets with an aerosol from a DIY store. Within months, the paint had worn off around every handle. We stripped it back, did the prep properly, and resprayed it. The difference was night and day.
FAQs: Spraying Kitchen Cabinets
Q: How long does it take?
Most kitchens take 3–5 days, depending on size.
Q: Can you spray inside the cupboards, too?
Yes, though many customers just opt for the doors and frames.
Q: Will the finish chip?
Not if the right primers and topcoats are used. We design ours to withstand heavy use.
Final Thoughts on Spraying Kitchen Cabinets
If you’ve been wondering, “Can you spray my kitchen cabinets?”, the answer is yes – and when done by professionals, the results are stunning. A tired, dated kitchen can be completely transformed for a fraction of the cost of replacement.
From Splott to Pontprennau, we’ve seen Cardiff homes revitalised with nothing more than careful preparation, the right products, and expert spraying. Yours could be next.
Thinking of updating your kitchen without replacing it? Let’s show you what spraying can achieve – durable, stylish, and tailored to your home.