How to Change Kitchen Cabinet Colour

The designer or cabinet maker will say "2 pac" as if everybody knows exactly what they're talking about. Don't be embarrassed by your ignorance. Almost no one except the professional who applies a 2 pac finish knows what it is. Without getting too technical, this article will help give you a better idea of:

• What a 2 Pac kitchen cabinet finish is
• Choosing a 2 Pac finish
• How much does 2 pac kitchen cabinetry cost?
• Designing your kitchen
• Hiring a kitchen cabinetmaker

Read more: How much does a flat pack kitchen cost?

What is a 2 Pac kitchen cabinet finish?

2 pac or 2 pak is short for 2 pack. "Two packs of what?" you ask. That's where it gets a little complicated.

Most paints and clear finishes are solvent based. The solvents, or thinners, are what enable the finish to be applied with spraying equipment. When they evaporate, the finish hardens and sticks to the surface. 2 pack finishes work differently. A 2 pack finish consists of two containers (packs) of liquids:

• One pack contains a resin composed of acrylic paint and melamine
• The other pack is a hardener, polyisocyanate resin

When the two packs are mixed together, a chemical reaction occurs that causes the mix to harden. Because only a small amount of solvent is in the mix, almost nothing is lost by evaporation and the result is a thicker, harder finish. This makes the surface extemely durable for kitchen cabinetry surfaces. The disadvantages of 2 pac are all in the process of applying the finish:

• 2 pac dries slowly, so must be applied in a dust-free environment.
• Heat speeds up the drying process, so a temperature controlled environment is ideal.
• The hardener contains isocyanate, a toxic chemical. The person who sprays a 2 pac finish must wear a special breathing device and work in a ventilated spray booth to apply it safely.

2 pac finishes are safe after they dry, but applying them requires expertise and an expensive spray booth and equipment. That's why 2 pac finishes are more expensive than others.

Read more: How much does kitchen renovation cost?

Choosing a 2 Pac finish for your kitchen

2 pac paint was originally designed for the automotive industry and is still used to repaint and repair automobiles.

When 2 pac was adopted by kitchen cabinet makers, it was because kitchen designers wanted a gleaming finish like you find on a freshly polished car. In the beginning, demand was largely for gloss white and gloss black cabinet doors, drawer fronts and exposed panels. While gloss black and white are still popular choices, they are by no means your only choices.

Today, most 2 pac cabinet doors are made by companies that specialise in making and finishing doors, drawer fronts, panels and other exposed surfaces. They offer standard ranges of door profiles, colours and gloss levels or can mix colours to specifications. A kitchen designer can help you choose your door profile and colour, but will probably want to know a little more about your lifestyle before recommending a gloss level. In most cases, you'll have three to choose from:

1. A textured finish might be ideal for a family with young children because the low sheen, textured surface hides scratches and marks.
2. If you prefer a smooth finish, satin is glossy enough to look stylish, but forgiving when scratched or marked.
3. The shiny finish on a gloss door looks stunning, but fingerprints, water drips and scratches stand out on the surface.

In time, you may want to renovate and change your kitchen's colour scheme. Unlike melamine, laminate or vinyl kitchen doors, you don't need to replace doors finished with 2 pac. Some spray painting professionals specialise in repainting 2 pac doors. This can save you thousands of dollars when you renovate your kitchen and your refinished doors will look as good as new.

How much does 2 pac kitchen cabinetry cost?

If you want custom kitchen cabinets with a 2 pac finish, expect to pay for the privilege. They are considerably more expensive than flat pack cabinetry - like an IKEA version - but you will have the option to design your kitchen to suit your needs. In terms of what to expect to pay for your kitchen cabinetry, these are some ballpark costs assuming you have an average size kitchen,:

• $2,800 for flat pack kitchen cabinetry
• $4,300 for budget kitchen cabinetry using melamine fronts
• $6,600 for a mid-range kitchen using polyurethane
• $10,200 for mid-range custom 2pac kitchen cabinetry
• $15,200+ for high custom timber or 2pac kitchen cabinetry

Designing your kitchen

An efficient and practical kitchen is all about getting your kitchen design right. A functional kitchen is based around a triangle - namely the sink, cooktop and fridge - which should all be within easy reach of each other. Too small and your kitchen will feel cramped, too spaced out and you will end up walking a lot. Also look to include these essential elements to be organised and clutter-free:

• Lower cabinets for general storage
• Deep drawer units for pots and pans
• Wall cupboards with convenient flip-style doors for glassware and crockery
• A walk in pantry for all your cereal, cans, pasta and more
• Smart corner units that make the most of this valuable space

You'll also need to decide upon a design or style. There are myriad styles to choose from – minimalist, modern, French country, Tuscan, art deco, rustic farmhouse - it all depends on what personality you want to have. You also need to decide on the best layout for your space. U-shape, L-shape and galley kitchens are the most common. Depending on your space you could be limited to one layout.

Hiring a kitchen cabinetmaker

When it comes time to hiring tradies make sure they are right for your job. Some questions to ask include:

• Are you licensed?
• Are you insured to work in my home?
• Can you provide a written quote?
• Do you have references I can follow up?
• Can I see examples of your work?

Getting quotes for 2 pac kitchen cabinets

The best way of finding out the cost of your 2 pac kitchen cabinets is to get quotes from local kitchen cabinetmakers. This will give you a sense of what market rates currently are.

To be sure you're getting truly comparative quotes, choose your preferred benchtop and door front materials first and get quotes for the same kitchen design and materials. Before choosing the lowest quote, find out more about the quality of construction. Better quality cabinets, hardware and other fittings will make your kitchen more pleasurable to use and last longer.

You might also like: Kitchen renovation checklist

How to Change Kitchen Cabinet Colour

Source: https://hipages.com.au/article/what_is_a_2_pac_kitchen_cabinet_finish

Share this post