Old cabinets can hold a lot of charm, especially in homes that have seen years of family living. But when their finish starts to wear down or look outdated, many homeowners in Ottawa find themselves asking the same question: should you strip the old finish off completely or just paint over it? The answer isn’t as straightforward as picking up a brush and going for it. Your final look and how long it lasts will heavily depend on the choice you make right at the start.
Refinishing cabinets isn’t something you want to repeat every year. Whether they’re the original kitchen cabinets from the 90s or something touched up a decade ago, the approach you take today will determine how well they hold up over time. And with Ottawa’s climate swinging between humid summers and dry winters, picking the right method matters even more. Let’s look at how to figure out what shape your cabinets are in and whether they’re better suited for a fresh start or a new coat.
Evaluating Your Cabinets
Before deciding what to do, it helps to take a careful look at the current state of your cabinets. Not all finishes are created equal, and not all of them age the same way. Some might show peeling, bubbling, or cracking. Others might look fine but feel sticky or soft to the touch. These early signs give you clues about what to do next.
Here are a few things to check when inspecting your cabinets:
1. Surface Damage
If the finish is peeling, bubbling, or flaking, stripping will give you the cleanest base to work from. Painting over these problems might just trap them under a new layer, which won’t last long.
2. Wood Quality
If your cabinets are solid wood, stripping could bring out the natural grain and allow for a stained look or a fresh transparent coat. But if they are laminate or a veneer that’s already thin, painting might be the safer option.
3. Previous Finishes
Cabinets that have layers of old paint or finish may need stripping, especially if the base layers are chipping or have been poorly applied. If the previous coatings were done well and are still intact, painting over might be fine with the right prep.
4. Time and Budget Goals
Strip jobs take longer and often cost more in terms of materials and labour. Painting over can be quicker if the surface doesn’t require too much prep.
A simple example: someone in a south-facing home in Ottawa finds the sun has faded half the cabinets in their kitchen, while the rest still look fine. If the wear is uneven like that, painting over can help even them out in less time and with less hassle.
Sometimes, what seems sturdy at first may show a whole other story when you give it a closer look. Chips around the edges, small cracks near the hardware, or soft spots inside cabinet doors can all point to a need for deeper work. Catching these early helps avoid surprises once the refinishing actually begins.
Stripping Old Cabinet Finish
If you’re leaning toward a full strip, it usually means you want to go all the way down to the wood and start clean. Doing this opens the door to refinishing choices like staining or sealing that really show off the wood’s natural beauty. This route works best with solid wood cabinets and those that don’t have too many deep dents or major water damage.
Stripping takes a bit more time and effort than painting over, but it offers long-term rewards when done right. Here’s a general process of what goes into it:
1. Preparation
Remove the cabinet doors and hardware to make sanding and refinishing easier. Use painter’s tape to protect nearby walls or floors.
2. Apply the Stripper
Brush on a chemical stripping gel, letting it soften the old finish. Make sure the space is well-ventilated, especially indoors.
3. Scrape Off Finish
Use a plastic scraper to remove layers of finish without scratching the wood underneath. For tricky corners and grooves, use a soft brush or a scraper with a curved edge.
4. Clean and Sand
Wipe extra residue using a cloth or fine steel wool. Let it dry fully before giving it a final sanding to smooth the surface.
5. Inspect and Repeat
If any patches remain, repeat the process in those spots for a clean, even base.
You’ll need gloves, safety glasses, lots of patience, and a fair amount of workspace to do this properly. For Ottawa homeowners, it might mean working inside the garage or basement once cooler days hit in early October.
Stripping can uncover imperfections that were hidden under the old coating. That’s not a bad thing though, since it gives you the chance to fix them now instead of letting them get worse under a new coat.
Painting Over Old Cabinet Finish
Sometimes, starting fresh isn’t necessary. If your cabinets are in good condition and the current finish isn’t peeling or damaged, painting over the existing surface can work well. It also tends to be quicker, which makes it appealing if you’re on a tighter deadline or working around family routines. That said, good prep is a must if you want a finish that lasts.
To get strong results, the old surface needs to be clean, dull, and smooth. That means getting rid of any grease, dirt, or glossy coatings that could prevent paint from sticking. A quick swipe with a cleaner won’t cut it. You’ll need to spend a bit of time sanding and using cleaners made for painted surfaces.
Follow these steps to prepare cabinets for painting:
1. Remove doors and hardware
Always take off the doors, drawers, and handles. It might feel like a hassle, but it makes painting easier and neater.
2. Clean thoroughly
Use a degreaser or a TSP alternative to scrub off residues. Even a small patch of grease can mess up the finish.
3. Scuff sand the entire surface
Use medium to fine-grit sandpaper to dull any shine. You’re not sanding down to raw wood, just roughing up the surface enough for paint to grip.
4. Wipe dust away completely
After sanding, use a tack cloth or damp rag to clean off all the dust. Leftover particles can ruin the final finish.
5. Apply a quality primer
Primer helps the paint stick better and prevents any old colour or stains from bleeding through.
Once your base is ready, you can go in with your paint of choice, usually a durable trim or cabinet paint meant for high-touch areas. Two thin coats tend to hold better than one thick one. If your cabinets are exposed to a lot of moisture or heavy use, a topcoat may be worth adding as well.
Painting over can be a great option in late fall when it’s too cold for stripping outdoors but you still want to finish a project before guests start arriving for the holidays. Just don’t forget that cold or damp weather can affect drying times, so plan your timeline with that in mind.
Choosing the Right Approach for Your Ottawa Home
With cabinet refinishing, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Choosing whether to strip or paint over really comes down to your priorities, your cabinet’s current condition, and how much effort you’re ready to invest.
If your cabinets are solid wood and the finish is breaking down in chunks, stripping makes more sense. Yes, the process takes longer, but it gives you a clean slate and opens up staining or sealing options that look more natural. If the surface is intact and just needs a refresh, painting might offer faster results that still look great, as long as the prep is done right.
Keep the seasons in mind too. In Ottawa, October can mean fluctuating indoor humidity and cooler temperatures, both of which affect how paint and stripping products behave. Drying times might slow down, and ventilation becomes trickier as windows start staying shut. These are good reasons to get the work done in a space with proper airflow and temperature control, or turn to someone who already has that setup.
Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:
– Stripping Pros
Reveals natural wood
More finish choices like stains
Fixes past poor paint jobs
– Stripping Cons
Labour heavy
Can be messy
Takes longer
– Painting Pros
Faster turnaround
Covers small blemishes
Wide colour options
– Painting Cons
Less durable if surface isn’t prepped well
Can hide natural wood grain
May need more touch-ups over the years
If you start seeing warping, large cracks that sanding can’t fix, or bubbling finishes that just won’t sand out, that’s when it makes sense to call in experienced help. The goal isn’t just a short-term upgrade. It’s making sure your kitchen, bathroom, or built-ins look great and stay that way through hot Ottawa summers and dry winter heating.
Make Your Cabinets Shine with Picasso Paints
Picking whether to strip or paint over an old cabinet finish isn’t just about what looks better in the moment. It’s about what’s going to hold up during everyday use, with seasons changing and the humidity climbing, then falling again. Both methods can work, but choosing the one that fits your space and the current cabinet condition will save time and give better results.
Professionally refinished cabinets bring a fresh life to your space without tearing the whole room apart. Whether your goal is to brighten things up or show off natural wood grain that’s been hiding for years, getting it done by professionals can make the whole process smoother and quicker.
Choosing the best approach for your cabinets can make a big difference in your home’s look. If you’re looking for expert advice and service for cabinet refinishing in Ottawa, Picasso Paints is ready to help you achieve beautiful, long-lasting results. Let us help you enhance your space with a fresh, new look.