Cabinet Painting in Albuquerque and Santa Fe
Cabinets tend to be the first thing people notice in a kitchen, and the first thing to look worn. If the layout works but the finish does not, painting is a practical alternative to a remodel. Andy’s Painting Company paints kitchen cabinets, vanities, built-ins and laundry-room cabinets across the Albuquerque metro and in Santa Fe.
Most of the result comes from prep. We degrease, sand and apply a bonding primer, then finish with an industrial cabinet enamel. We remove the doors and drawer fronts and spray them in our shop, so there are no brush or roller marks. The boxes and frames are painted on site.
Painting, Refinishing, Refacing or Replacing?
These four terms often get mixed up, and each one means something different.
- Painting: a new opaque color over cleaned, sanded and primed cabinets. Best when the boxes are sound and you want a new look.
- Refinishing: often used for restoring or re-coating the existing finish. Many people searching for refinishing really want the same result as painting.
- Refacing: new door and drawer fronts and veneer over the existing boxes. It costs more than paint and changes more.
- Replacing: new cabinets, usually as part of a remodel, with the longest timeline.
If your cabinets are solid and the layout works, painting is usually the lightest approach. If boxes are damaged or the layout has to change, replacing makes sense. We will tell you which applies at the walkthrough.
Popular Cabinet Looks
White
A clean white brightens a kitchen and works with most counters and floors.
Two-Tone
Painting the perimeter cabinets one color and the island another adds depth. A painted island is an easy way to get contrast without redoing the whole kitchen.
Greige
A soft gray-beige hides daily wear, goes well with warm wood floors and suits the earthy tones common in New Mexico homes.
More Than Kitchens
- Kitchens: uppers, lowers, islands and pantry doors.
- Bathroom vanities: a fast update for a primary bath or guest bath.
- Built-ins: bookcases, entertainment centers and mudroom units.
- Laundry rooms: cabinets that see hard use and benefit from a durable enamel.
Oak Grain: Fill It or Keep It
Many older Albuquerque and Santa Fe homes have oak cabinets with a deep grain. Painted over, that grain shows through. You can choose either look:
- Grain-filled: we fill the grain so the finish looks smooth and modern.
- Textured: we leave the grain, so the wood pattern stays visible under the color.
Both are style choices, and we will show you examples so you can decide before we start.
What to Expect
Your kitchen stays usable, because the doors and drawer fronts are out of the house and the work on site is limited to boxes and frames. We label each door so everything goes back where it came from.
The enamel needs time to cure, and how long depends on the product and the conditions. We will tell you when it is safe to load shelves and use the doors normally. If you want new knobs or pulls, we can swap the hardware while the doors are off, or you can keep what you have.
Our process has five steps: prep, prime, spray, reinstall, and a walkthrough of the result with you.
Before you decide on a color, look at it in your own light. Albuquerque and Santa Fe kitchens get strong afternoon sun, and a white or greige can read warmer or cooler on the wall than on a small sample. We can talk through samples and test options at the walkthrough.
Caring for Painted Cabinets
- Wipe with a soft cloth and mild soap and water. Avoid harsh cleaners and abrasive pads.
- Dry spills near the sink and dishwasher soon after they happen.
- Be gentle during the first few weeks while the finish hardens.
- Skip stickers and tape on the surface, which can pull at the finish.
Recent Cabinet Projects
We have new 2026 cabinet photos to share, including white kitchens and two-tone kitchens with painted islands.
Where We Paint Cabinets
We paint cabinets in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Corrales, Bernalillo and Santa Fe. That includes kitchen cabinet painting in Santa Fe.
Cabinet Painting FAQ
Plan Your Cabinet Project
Call (505) 461-0696 or send us your project details to set up a walkthrough for your kitchen or vanity.
CABINET PAINTING PROCESS
REMOVING DOORS & DRAWER FACES
We remove the cabinet doors and drawer faces and bring them to our shop. We paint cabinet boxes in place.
CLEANING & SANDING
We clean cabinets to remove excess dirt and oil and thoroughly sand it to bring up a fresh surface.
PRIMING
We apply a bonding primer and a multi-purpose primer to help the new paint adhere to the wood.
PAINTING
We then apply two coats of a quality paint finish in the color of your choice.
REINSTALLING
Finally, we return to reinstall your painted cabinet doors and drawer faces leaving you with a gorgeous, updated space!
BEFORE AND AFTER
